New York State's Department of Financial Services has approved rate hikes for both Independent Health and HealthNow NY in 2013.  Business First reports Independent Health customers enrolled in community-related programs will see premiums increase by 5.25%.  Customers of BlueCross BlueShield of WNY, part of Health Now, will see an average increase of 8%.

Lawley Benefits Group has sold its reimbursement account services division to Nova Healthcare Administrators.  Terms of that deal were not publicly announced.

Niagara County's Industrial Development Agency has approved an incentive package for JSK International Corporation.  That's the parent company planning a $23.6 million renovation of the Hotel Niagara.  The hotel is expected to be open for business next summer.

Depew's Northeast Mechanical has been chosen for a case study being prepared by Mitsubishi Electric Heating & Cooling for their HVAC design used at the refurbished Hotel @ The Lafayette.