Dec. 16, 2005: “Spotlight on Our Economy” Monthly Column for The Palladium-Times
By L. Michael Treadwell, CEcD, Executive Director of Operation Oswego County

Team Approach is 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 utilize a team approach to economic development for 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 are currently partnering to facilitate the renovation and expansion of the 102-year-old, three-story Brickhouse Building in Fulton which will include professional offices, retail stores and apartments. The city of Fulton will be the site of a new ambulatory/urgent care center which will provide acute evaluation and therapy for ambulatory patients and include X-ray and lab facilities. The project will create 17 jobs and will receive funding assistance from the IDA, the Fulton CDA and Pathfinder Bank.

The Oswego CDO and OOC worked together to help pave the way for the attraction of Sure-Lock Industries and Lowe’s, the renovation of the Days Inn and the Scottish Inn and Suites, and 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. OOC is 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.

Sound economic development requires a team approach to implement projects successfully. We have taken great pride in such efforts in the past as Team Sealright and the Nestle revitalization initiative that led to the formation of New York Chocolate & Confections. The economic development process can be complicated as all projects are significantly different and there is no “cookie cutter” or “one-size-fits-all” approach that will work effectively. We are proud and honored to have many team players at the federal, state, regional and local level that provide essential input, services and assistance to economic development projects in Oswego County.

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