June 27, 2007: Economic Development
Awards Presented at Operation Oswego County’s Annual Meeting
Operation Oswego County, Inc. recently held
its 55th annual meeting at SUNY Oswego’s new Campus Center.
An integral part of the annual meeting is focused upon recognizing
businesses, organizations and individuals that have contributed
significantly to the economy of Oswego County and/or that have demonstrated
outstanding support and leadership in the economic development process
in Oswego County.
There are five annual awards including:
-
The Ally Award, which is presented each
year to an organization which makes a significant contribution
to the economic development process in Oswego County and goes
above and beyond the organization’s ordinary scope of
services;
-
The Business Excellence Award, which
is awarded to a private sector organization in Oswego County
that has demonstrated adaptation and growth in a competitive
business environment, provided quality service and/or products,
has received recognition for recent accomplishments and/or passed
a unique milestone in its history and has exhibited ongoing
community support and service;
-
The Jobs Award is presented to a private
sector employer in Oswego County that has made a significant
capital investment and/or significant creation/retention of
jobs that has had a major overall impact on the county’s
economy;
-
OOC’s newest award, the Dee Heckethorn
Entrepreneur Award, recognizes a business owner who has an innovative
product or service that acts as a catalyst for further economic
growth, and who has taken considerable initiative and risk bringing
their product or service to Oswego County; and
-
The Martin Rose Economic Developer Merit
Award is presented to an individual who is not a professional
economic developer, but that has exhibited outstanding leadership,
support and/or cooperation in furthering economic development
efforts in Oswego County and who has a record of creating and
implementing economic development strategies which have benefited
the county.
This year, Operation Oswego County took great
pride in recognizing four business organizations, a successful entrepreneur
and a public official for significant contributions to economic
development and job creation in Oswego County.
The Ally Award for 2007 was presented to
the partnership of Entergy Nuclear and the Oswego County
Public Utility Service (OCPUS), recognizing it as an “ally”
organization in the economic development process in Oswego County.
Together, OCPUS and Entergy played a crucial role in facilitating
the “Power for Progress” low-cost electrical energy
program for new and expanding businesses which helped to foster
economic development and job creation in Oswego County.
 The
Business Excellence Award for 2007 was presented to Eagle
Beverage Company for maintaining a successful distribution
company in the town of Oswego for the past 28 years, for distributing
a full line of major beverage brands including Anheuser-Busch, Labatt,
and Snapple to Oswego, Jefferson and Lewis counties, and for achieving
more than $20 million in annual sales. The company was also recognized
for its support and sponsorship of community events throughout Oswego
County.
The 2007 Jobs Award, recognizing significant
capital investment as well as job creation and retention, was presented
to Felix Schoeller Technical Papers for the expansion
of its specialty paper production capacity at its plant in the town
of Richland which led to the creation of 125 manufacturing jobs
and two million in annual payroll.
Douglas Caster was the recipient
of OOC’s inaugural Dee Heckethorn Entrepreneur Award. Caster
was recognized for his exceptional efforts, risks and initiatives
he has taken to help restore economic activity to the heart of Fulton
through his role in the planning and implementation of the Canal
Corridor initiative, and for his leadership role in the planned
redevelopment of the former Goldberg’s building into an upscale
mixed-use development project.
 William
Barclay, New York State Assemblyman, 124th District, was
honored with the 2007 Martin Rose Economic Developer Merit Award
for his commitment to the economic development process by helping
to facilitate the attraction and retention of businesses in Oswego
County including Felix Schoeller Technical Papers, Northeast Biofuels,
Sure-Lock Industries, Fulton Companies and GS Fulton Biodiesel.
He was also recognized for his representation on the Assembly Task
Force on Small Business in New York State.
 The
OOC board of directors also elected Barbara Bateman, regional executive
of Alliance Bank, Jonathan Daniels, director of the Port of Oswego
Authority and Vincent Lobdell, president of HealthWay in Pulaski,
to the board.
Re-elected to another three-year term
were Nancy Bellow, SUNY Oswego Office for Business and Community
Relations; Bonnie Bostian, Entergy Nuclear; Thomas Greco, Fulton
Savings Bank; Alan Horna, Oswego Wire; George Joyce, Laser Transit;
Edward Mervine, Pathfinder Bank; Michael Pollock, Fulton Savings
Bank; Michael Quenville, Pathfinder Bank; and David Vickery, Vickery
Insurance.
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