Oct. 15, 2004: “Spotlight on Our
Economy” Monthly Column for The
Palladium-Times
By L. Michael Treadwell, CEcD, Executive Director of Operation
Oswego County
Community Development Agencies Essential
to Economic Development
Operation Oswego County works closely with
the City of Fulton Community Development Agency (CDA), the City
of Oswego Community Development Office (CDO) and the Oswego County
Department of Planning and Community Development to implement economic
development strategies, programs and projects, and to provide comprehensive
assistance to both existing businesses and those seeking to locate
here.
Working cooperatively with OOC, the Fulton
CDA and the Oswego CDO act as the economic development arm of the
city of Fulton and the city of Oswego respectively, by:
- Administering state and federal grants
for community development and public improvement projects that
enhance economic development and job creation potential for the
cities of Fulton and Oswego;
- Securing state and federal grants which
have helped redevelop housing and revitalize businesses;
- Providing loans to eligible businesses
to assist in new construction, renovations, expansions and equipment
acquisitions to create and retain jobs;
- Marketing economic development opportunities
in Fulton and Oswego through various national, international and
regional trade publications, by utilizing the Internet, and by
directly targeting prospects;
- Co-administering the Fulton and Oswego
Empire Zone programs through which financing and incentives are
available for eligible projects; and
- Providing technical assistance
to start-up and expanding businesses.
The Fulton CDA and OOC have partnered in
facilitating the expansions of BirdsEye Foods and Huhtamaki, the
renovation of 136 units of affordable housing at Pathfinder Courts
and the expansion and relocation of Fulton Tool Company following
a fire that destroyed their business. The agency was also instrumental
in developing strategies to reutilize the former Nestle facility
which has lead to the New York Chocolate & Confections Company’s
investment in the city.
Most recently, the Oswego CDO and OOC worked
together to help pave the way for the expansions of Sure-Lock Industries,
Jake’s Automotive, and for the Canal Commons revitalization
project in downtown Oswego.
My office also works cooperatively with both
agencies and SUNY Oswego’s Small Business Development Center
to provide a Micro-Enterprise Training Program which guides entrepreneurs
through all aspects of starting and managing a small business. Step-by-step
classroom instruction is presented by area business professionals
on topics including business planning and financing, accounting
and tax issues, marketing, and business insurance. Graduates of
the program are eligible to apply for a Micro-Enterprise loan to
expand or start their business in Oswego County from the IDA’s
Micro-Enterprise Revolving Loan Fund or similar loan programs from
the Fulton CDA or Oswego CDO if the projects are in either of the
two cities.
The Oswego County Department of Planning
and Community Development coordinates activities in land use, comprehensive
planning, Brownfield redevelopment, environmental management, and
community development and provides planning information including
demographic and census data to local government and to the general
public. The department also administers federal housing assistance
and public transportation programs, conducts zoning reviews and
provides planning assistance to municipalities. They also provide
staff support to the Oswego County Planning Board and the Oswego
County Environmental Management Council.
OOC acts as the lead agency for the economic
development component of the county’s comprehensive plan,
and works with the department in addressing issues related to zoning,
environmental, infrastructure and development. My office is currently
collaborating with the department to complete a master development
plan for the former Columbia Mills 100-acre site in Minetto.
Recent economic development highlights in
Oswego County include:
- Matangi Motels, LLC acquired the
Days Inn in the city of Oswego. The 44-room motel will be upgraded
through building renovations and new furniture and fixtures. The
project will create 15 jobs. Funding for the $1.6 million project
will be provided by the Oswego CDO, Oswego County National Bank,
County of Oswego IDA and an SBA 504 loan through OOC;
- Attorney Christopher Richmond will renovate
a building in the city of Oswego to establish a law practice which
will focus specifically on worker’s compensation. The building
will be developed with state-of-the-art computer and electronic
conferencing capabilities. Funding for the project will be provided
by the Oswego CDO, PathFinder Bank, County of Oswego IDA and an
SBA 504 loan through OOC; and
- Modheshwari Motels, LLC acquired
and will renovate the 47-room Thomas Inn in the city of Oswego
which will be franchised as a Scottish Inn. Renovations include
new furniture and fixtures. The $1.3 million project will create
13 jobs and will receive funding assistance from the Oswego CDO,
Oswego County National Bank, County of Oswego IDA and an SBA 504
loan through OOC.
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