July 8, 2008: Achievements in Economic Development Recognized
By L. Michael Treadwell, CEcD, Executive Director, Operation Oswego County

Operation Oswego County, Inc. recently held its 56th annual meeting at SUNY Oswego’s 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;

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 three business organizations, a successful entrepreneur and a long-standing member of the business community.

The Ally Award for 2008 was presented to the Port of Oswego Authority, recognizing it as an “ally” organization in the economic development process in Oswego County. The Port was recognized for moving more than one million tons of cargo through its terminals from April 2007 through March 2008, for the completion of several expansion projects including a $1.1 million reconstruction of a bulk storage building and a $175,000 rehabilitation of the west wharf for salt storage, and for initiating the rehabilitation of the port’s rail infrastructure and the development of a new maintenance facility.

The Business Excellence Award for 2008 was presented to Novelis for investing more than $30 million in equipment over the past three years resulting in new job growth, for a recent $9 million investment to install an energy-efficient aluminum melting furnace which enabled the addition of a new production line and a ten percent increase in production and for consistently being one of the largest private employers in Oswego County by employing more than 700. The company was also recognized for its support and sponsorship of community events throughout Oswego County.

The 2008 Jobs Award, recognizing significant capital investment as well as job creation and retention, was presented to Kinney Drugs, Inc. for its continued commitment to locate its pharmacy and retail stores throughout Oswego County and for employing more than 200 employees.

Pat Jones was the recipient of OOC’s Dee Heckethorn Entrepreneur Award. Jones was recognized for his exceptional efforts, risks and initiatives he has taken to help foster economic activity to Oswego County through his role in the development of the Sithe Independence Station power generation facility in the town of Scriba in 1994, the expansion of log and lumbering manufacturer Great Lakes Veneer in Oswego, for his involvement in locating Sure-Lock Industries to Oswego in 2004, and for opening Patz on the River in the Oswego harbor.

Thomas Weatherup was honored with the 2008 Martin Rose Economic Developer Merit Award for playing a critical role in building the economy and quality of life in Central Square for the last 50 years by developing commercial property to attract many prominent businesses to the area, for helping to bring medical services to the community by developing and donating property to the Central Square Health Center and the Southern Oswego County Ambulance Service, for developing high-quality residential housing communities, and for serving his community as town of Hastings supervisor and assessor, and as a member of several volunteer organizations.

The OOC board of directors also recognized out-going president George Joyce, president of Laser Transit, Ltd., for providing two terms of distinguished service and valuable assistance in furthering economic development, job growth, capital investment and business expansion in Oswego County.

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