Jan. 28, 2010: Economic Development
Progress in Oswego County
By L. Michael Treadwell, CEcD, Executive Director, Operation Oswego
County
Throughout 2009, the economic recession that
began in the United States in 2008 continued to deepen, resulting
in a challenging climate for business success and, ultimately, survival.
However, as we usher in a new decade, the economy seems to be slowly
rebounding both nationally and locally.
According to Joseph Carson, U.S. economist
and director of global economic research for Alliance Bernstein
Investments, “the rapid pace of recovery in the manufacturing
sector is starting to increase the chances of a speedy recovery.
According to preliminary data, we estimate manufacturing activity
will post an annualized gain of 20% in the fourth quarter of 2009--the
biggest quarterly increase since 1983.” In addition, a survey
of the U.S. manufacturing sector conducted by Manufacturers Alliance/Machinery
and Allied Products Institute concluded that, “overall manufacturing
activity is expected to grow over the next three to six months.”
Despite tough economic conditions, manufacturers
in Oswego County have continued to invest and grow their production
facilities. Over the past year alone, we have seen companies such
as Fulton Thermal in the town of Richland planning to invest $13.5
million in a 135,000 square foot expansion to include a research
and design center where the company will develop and test new alternative
energy options. The project will create 50 jobs.
Oneida Lake Ready-Mix is a new company located
in the town of West Monroe that will specialize in the production
of concrete for commercial and residential use, as well as heavy
equipment repairs and sales. The company constructed a 7,300 square
foot facility and will employ approximately 29 people.
Gun cleaning systems manufacturer Otis Technology is expanding its
operations by locating a new research and development facility in
the Oswego County Industrial Park in the town of Schroeppel. The
project involved the acquisition and renovation of an existing 20,000
square foot building in the Park. The project is expected to create
15-20 jobs.
Huhtamaki once again expanded its operations
in the city of Fulton by adding new state-of-the-art printing equipment.
The company employs 650 and is the second largest manufacturing
employer in the county.
Additionally, Sunoco, Inc. has targeted June,
2010 to be in full production of 100 million gallons of ethanol
per year at the former Northeast Biofuels plant in the town of Volney.
The company has applied for Empire Zone certification and is projecting
the creation of 69 jobs at the plant with an annual payroll of around
$4.5 million.
Manufacturing continues to be one of Operation
Oswego County’s primary targets. In 2010, efforts will focus
on helping to make our existing firms more competitive, helping
to facilitate expansions, investment and job creation/retention
of our manufacturing base, and continuing to promote and develop
strategic initiatives to compete for and attract new manufacturing
employers to the county.
Like the manufacturing industry, the forecast
for small business development also looks promising. New businesses
in Oswego County include Great Lakes Recycling in the town of Oswego,
Dunkin Donuts new facilities in the town of Granby/city of Fulton
and in the town of Mexico, the planned waterfront renovation of
Oswego Stevedore Warehouse to residential and retail property in
the city of Oswego, The Bake Shop Eatery in the village of Mexico,
and Seaway Lofts plans to retrofit an historic building into 26
units of affordable housing apartments in the city of Oswego.
Business expansions include Mitchell’s
Speedway Press who expanded their operations and acquired and relocated
to the former Speedway Press in the city of Oswego and ongoing renovations
of Oswego Hamilton Homes for Phase II which will involve 59 more
affordable housing units. In the healthcare arena, Oswego Health
converted the former A. L. Lee Memorial Hospital in Fulton into
an urgent care center, and Oswego Hospital expanded and improved
its emergency room complex in Oswego.
In 2010, OOC will continue to aggressively
promote Oswego County for business attraction and help existing
employers reach their potential. However, because competition for
investment and jobs continues to be fierce, we must work hard to
present the area as a pro-business community, to expand and intensify
marketing initiatives and to develop and expand upon infrastructure
needs which are absolutely necessary and essential to be competitive
in today's economic climate.
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