Renewable Energy Project Major Factor in 2006 Economic Development Progress
By L. Michael Treadwell, CEcD, Executive Director, Operation Oswego County

The advancement of a major renewable energy project in the town of Volney, and the economic promise it brings to Oswego County was the major progress story in 2006. Operation Oswego County (OOC), in collaboration with local and state government leaders, economic development partners, labor unions, educational institutions and private investors, assisted Northeast Biofuels (NEB) and partner Permolex International with funding and other support for what will be the third largest ethanol plant in the nation, and the largest east of the Mississippi. The plant will occupy nearly a quarter of the 420-acre Riverview Business Park (RPB), which is being developed as an industrial park with a special focus on renewable energy and agribusiness.

During construction of the plant, approximately 450 local workers will be needed; 50 percent more than originally anticipated. Once operational, in addition to a staff of 50 it will initially employ, the NEB project will help create more than 1,500 spin-off jobs in agriculture, transportation, and other sectors of the Central New York economy.

NEB has estimated that it expects to use 41 million bushels of corn to produce 100 million gallons of ethanol a year. The ethanol will be marketed for use primarily in New York State and the Northeast as a clean-burning, oil-saving gasoline additive.

In addition, biodiesel manufacturer GS Fulton Biodiesel will locate at RBP. The multi million-dollar project will produce 10 million gallons of biodiesel a year from soybeans. The fuel will be used for heating purposes. The state-of-the-art plant will employ 15 people.

Northeast Biofuels, its partners, and our economic development allies who helped bring this project to fruition should be commended for their visionary leadership in the renewable energy industry and investment in Oswego County. Not only will this project position Oswego County as a leader in the renewable fuels industry, it will also provide the Fulton area and the county with new jobs and economic opportunities.

Additional businesses such as Venture Milling (Perdue Farms) will operate and sell dried distilled grain for animal feed derived from the processing of corn to ethanol, and BOC Energy will establish a $15 million liquefaction plant to process carbon dioxide from the NEB operation for use in the beverage industry. These projects will help to create 30-50 jobs.

During 2006, OOC helped to provide financial assistance for projects that will invest over $336 million in Oswego County, and will create and/or retain over 1,000 jobs.
Some of the other successful economic development projects facilitated by OOC in the past year included the following:

• Great Lakes Veneer in the city of Oswego will invest in new equipment that will enhance efficiencies by adding scanning capabilities to produce a higher grade of lumber, increase speed and help minimize waste in the manufacturing process. This expansion to improve competitiveness will help to retain 20 jobs at the plant that employs 73 people. Financial assistance for the $700,000 project will be provided by Central New York Enterprise Development, the City of Oswego Community Development Office (CDO), and the County of Oswego Industrial Development Agency (IDA);

• The Club at Caughdenoy Creek, located in the town of Hastings, acquired the former Caughdenoy Creek County Club and will operate an 18-hole golf course, clubhouse, and will extend restaurant operations to a year-round facility. The $1.3 million project will create and/or retain 14 jobs and received funding assistance from the IDA, a Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loan through OOC, and HSBC Bank;

• Oswego Recycling, LLC, a new wholesale recycling service center in the city of Oswego, renovated their 32,000 square-foot facility to provide local commercial recycling for fibrous products, plastics, glass, and metals. The project is expected to create 18 jobs and received funding assistance from the IDA, a SBA 504 loan through OOC, the Oswego CDO, National Grid and Alliance Bank;

• Mahalaxmi Motels, LLC acquired and renovated the former Redwood Inn in Pulaski which has been franchised as a Red Carpet Inn and a Scottish Inn and Suites. The new owner currently owns and operates the Scottish Inn and Suites and Days Inn in Oswego. The $1.3 million project created and/or retained 13 jobs and received funding assistance from the IDA, Alliance Bank and a SBA 504 loan through OOC;

• The Reservoir Inn and Reservoir Gas & Mart is a renovated convenience store, deli and restaurant along with an eight-room motel in the town of Redfield. The 5,676 square foot facility will be operated year-round and will create nine jobs. Funding assistance was provided by the IDA, a SBA 504 loan through OOC and Community Bank;

• New Image Health and Fitness of Fulton began renovations for a 4,000 square foot fitness facility in the Three Rivers Plaza Mall in the town of Schroeppel. The new facility, named Fitness Whenever, will be open 24-hours-a-day and will create six jobs. Funding assistance was provided by the IDA;

• The Laser Center of Pulaski is a new cosmetic laser service being offered by Dr. Jay F. Sullivan. Laser equipment includes a SmoothBeam laser and a Gentle LASE laser. The expansion will create two jobs. The $190,000 project received financial assistance from Alliance Bank and the IDA;

• Checkered House Corners Inc. will renovate a vacant 1,600-square foot convenience store and gas station in the town of Williamstown. The project will create six jobs and will receive funding assistance from the IDA, a SBA 504 loan through OOC and Pathfinder Bank;

• Felix Schoeller Technical Papers (FSTP) announced plans to make a four million dollar investment in new equipment, building renovations and other facility modernizations for an expansion of production capabilities and capacities at its plant in the town of Richland. FSTP expects to add 125 new full-time jobs, adding to the 80 current full-time jobs. Funding assistance was provided by a New York State Senate grant secured by Sen. James Wright, a grant by Empire State Development, and a low-interest loan through the IDA. OOC assisted in structuring the financial package. Additional business assistance was provided by National Grid, Assemblyman Will Barclay and the sponsoring of the project as a "regionally significant project" by the Fulton Empire Zone Administrative Board;

• Caster Properties will renovate and convert the former Goldberg’s building in Fulton into 10,000 square feet of retail and office space on the first floor, and eight condominiums or apartments on the second floor. The basement will be converted into 18 parking spaces. The project received funding from the IDA, Fulton Community Development Agency (CDA), National Grid and Fulton Savings Bank;

• EVM, Inc., is a woman-owned property and vehicle maintenance business located in the town of Scriba. The business includes landscaping, snow removal and heavy duty vehicle and diesel specialty services. The new company acquired and renovated the former 84 Lumber building. Financial assistance was provided by Pathfinder Bank and the IDA;

• New York Bold expanded its successful agribusiness harvesting and packaging cooking onions with the acquisition of a new, high-speed weigher needed to increase production speed for bagging. The $400,000 project in the town of Volney will create/retain 16 jobs and was funded by the IDA and the Farm Credit Bureau;

• Checkpoint Enterprises, LLC acquired and renovated the former Bill’s Cleveland Mini Mart in the town of Constantia. The woman-owned business will expand to include a restaurant. The $265,000 project will create/retain nine jobs. Financial assistance was provided by the IDA, a SBA 504 loan through OOC and Fulton Savings Bank;

• Lower Falls Development converted the historic Brick¬house Building in Fulton to a mixed-use facility including offices, retail, restaurant and residential space. The $700,000 project received funding assistance from the Fulton CDA, the Community Pres¬ervation Corporation and the IDA; and

• Hazen’s Athletic Center broke ground for a new 6,400-square foot indoor sports facility in the town of Hastings which will be tailored for girl’s fast pitch softball training. The project will create eight jobs and will receive funding assistance from the IDA, a SBA 504 loan through OOC and HSBC Bank.

In addition, OOC will continue to aggressively promote Oswego County’s economic development opportunities through national, international and regional trade publications, by participating in exhibitions and industry-specific tradeshows, through business outreach and by utilizing internet resources in order to remain visible to corporate real estate decision makers to recruit new businesses and add new and better job opportunities.

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