Economic
Development Newsletter
January/February 2004:
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Cooperative
Energy Incentive Package Developed for New Chocolate Companies
A
specialized energy incentive package was developed in cooperation
with Entergy Nuclear Northeast, Niagara Mohawk and Tractebel Energy
Services for the New York Chocolate and Confections Company and
the Fulton Chocolate Company to help foster the growth of the two
companies in the next five years.
Entergy’s James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear
Power Plant will provide discount power to the chocolate companies
through a five-year arrangement with retail energy supplier Tractebel
Energy Services. Niagara Mohawk will supply discount distribution
service through its Empire Zone tariff.
Marilyn Higgins, Niagara Mohawk’s vice
president, economic and community development said, “This
is a great example of how the deregulated energy industry can promote
economic development.”
Entergy Nuclear Northeast’s Director
Business Development Marc Potkin said, “We’re pleased
to be part of this unique energy partnership that will not only
benefit the chocolate companies, but will also help to boost the
county’s economic growth.
In December 2003, the County of Oswego Industrial
Development Agency finalized the purchase of the former Nestle plant
in Fulton by the New York Chocolate and Confections Company. The
Fulton Chocolate Company plans to lease approximately 250,000 square
feet of the plant. The combined employment of the two companies
is anticipated to be over 570 within the first three years in business.
“We can’t think of a time when
a deal such as this brought so much benefit to all parties involved,”
said John Sadowski, Tractebel Energy Services vice president of
sales in the New York region. “Our focus is on ensuring commercial
and industrial customers have reliable, dependable power, and because
of this unique arrangement with Entergy we’re able to be a
part of this exciting project and share in its progress.”
“The energy incentive
package developed by Entergy, Tractebel and Niagara Mohawk will
help pave the way for these two companies toward establishing themselves
in the city of Fulton and contributing to the economic stability
of Oswego County for the future. The energy package was an integral
component of the overall project,” said L. Michael Treadwell,
executive director of Operation Oswego County.
OOC helped to coordinate the
recruitment of both New York Chocolate and Confections Company and
The Fulton Chocolate Company.
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OOC Partners
with SBDC at Job Fair
OOC, in partnership
with SUNY Oswego’s Small Business Development Center, was
sponsor and booth participant for the 2004 Oswego County Job and
Career Fair held in January at the Polish Home in Fulton.
Fulton/Oswego/Baldwinsville Daily News, organizers
of the event, estimated that close to 1,000 people attended the
fair.
“We were proud to once again sponsor
this event which offers those people looking for a job or career
change an opportunity to network with potential employers, seek
retraining and career advice, and learn about educational opportunities,
all under one roof,” said L. Michael Treadwell, CEcD, executive
director of OOC.
In addition to OOC, other sponsors
included Area Jobs Guide.com and Career Connection.
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Workforce Skills
Assessment Grant Awarded
The Oswego
County Division of Employment and Training and the Oswego County
Workforce Development Board were recently awarded a New York State
Department of Labor “Closing the Gap” program grant
to identify workforce skill shortages and connect employees with
training and education resources to increase the skills needed for
job success
One hundred employees throughout Oswego County
will be evaluated to identify potential skill gaps. If gaps are
identified, workers will be offered a training curriculum to address
the gaps. Employers will have an opportunity to have a sample of
their employees assessed.
The program runs through March 31, 2004.
Call 963-5507 for more information.
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OOC Launches
New Website
Operation Oswego County recently launched
its redesigned website www.oswegocounty.org.
In addition to a contemporary, easy-to-navigate
format, the new site offers visitors a comprehensive listing of
available commercial property, demographic information about Oswego
County, information about the services that OOC provides, community
links and a printable map.
“Because of real time accessibility
to information about Oswego County’s economic assets, OOC
publications, current news and contact information, we consider
our website to be one of our strongest and most effective marketing
tools,” said L. Michael Treadwell, CEcD, executive director
of OOC.
In the last year, OOC’s website usage
increased from an average of 11,000 visits per month to 16,000—
an increase of more than 68 percent. Since the new website was launched
in January, more than 33,000 visits have already been recorded.
“More and more site selection consultants,
business decision makers, and individuals rely on the internet to
decide where they will invest. We designed our new website to effectively
convey critical and up-to-date information about Oswego County to
this captive audience,” Treadwell said.
According to Area Development, an economic
development trade publication targeted to site selection decision
makers and corporate real estate executives, 80 percent of the initial
screening of sites by prospects is now done on the Internet.
Information on OOC’s website
alerted Lion Capital Management, owners of New York Chocolate and
Confections Company (NYCCC), about the availability of the Nestle
facility. The plant was recently purchased by NYCCC who will manufacture
bulk chocolate.
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OOC Business
Assistance: Operation Oswego County offers an
array of business assistance services to both new and expanding companies
throughout Oswego County. Birth
Journeys in the town of Scriba is a woman-owned business
that specializes in hypnotherapy, hypnobirthing, doula services
and essential oil consultations. The owner is a graduate of the
Micro-Enterprise Training Program and will receive funding assistance
from the IDA.
Buzzy Bee Day Care will
expand its child care service in the town of Palermo. The owner
is a graduate of the Micro-Enterprise Training Program and will
receive funding assistance from the IDA.
Businesses may apply for grants of up to
$100,000 as part of the Building Skills in New York State
(BUSINYS) initiative to promote career growth and increased wages
for thousands of workers across the state. The training will be
provided from state-level funds under the federal Workforce Investment
Act, administered by the State Department of Labor. For more information,
contact the New York State Department of Labor at (518) 457-0380,
or apply online at Workforce New York’s website www.workforcenewyork.com.
For those interested in expanding or starting
a new small business, another series of Oswego
County Micro- Enterprise Training classes are scheduled to start
this spring. The program provides a 21-hour small business training
program which covers such topics as writing a business plan, obtaining
financing, accounting and tax issues, business insurance, legalities,
marketing and other start-up issues.
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Alcan Provides
“Top Boost” for OOC Annual Fund Drive
Alcan Aluminum Corp. was the top economic
development “booster” in OOC’s 2003 annual fund
drive, with a contribution of $5,000
Topping the next category of Corporate
Boosters are: Entergy Nuclear Northeast; Fulton Savings
Bank; Hiscock & Barclay LLC; Huhtamaki Packaging; Key Bank;
Niagara Mohawk; NRG Energy; Oswego County National Bank; Pathfinder
Bank; Reliant Energy; and Sithe Energies each contributing from
$1,000 to $3,000.
“On behalf of the OOC board,
we thank all those who responded to our campaign,” said Treadwell.
He explained that fund drive contributions are applied directly
to offset expenses related to marketing Oswego County to prospective
businesses and industry.
Treadwell and OOC Board President Dee
C. Heckethorn, applauded the efforts of the annual fund drive’s
co-chairs, Michael J. Pollock, President and CEO of Fulton Savings
Bank, and George Joyce, President of Laser Transit of Lacona. They
serve as chair and vice chair respectively of OOC’s Marketing
and Development Committee.
Other supporters of the annual fund
drive are:
Business Boosters contributing
between $500 and $999 are: Ascent Technologies; Carpenter’s
Local 747; Eastern Shore Associates; Fulton Thermal Corp.; Paul
A. Castaldo Inc.; Peppercorns Inc.; Port of Oswego Authority; QMP
Enterprises; Seiter, Caraccioli and Associates; Wiltsie Construction
and Winter Harbor Marina.
Associate Boosters
contributing between $100 and $499 include: Jack Alter, CPA; Thomas
Arctander Architects; Barton and Loguidice P.C.; Biospherix Ltd.;
Black Clawson; C&C Metal Fabrications Inc.; C&S Engineers
Inc.; Caswell and Associates, CPA; Century 21 Galloway Realty; Clough,
Harbour and Associates, LLP; Community Bank, N.A.; Companies of
G.A. Broadwell; Hosmer Culkin, Esq.; Fulton Screenprinting; Fulton
Tool Inc.; Geo Hotel Co., Inc.; Giovanni Food Co. Inc.; Grant Avenue
Development Inc.; HSBC; David Hawthorne; Dee C. Heckethorn; LADDCO-GC
Inc.; Laser Transit Ltd.; Morabito Auto Parts; Doren P. Norfleet,
Esq.; Norstar Development USA; Oneida Lake Petroleum; Oswego County
Business Magazine;Oswego Medical Consultants P.C.; Oswego Valley
Insurance Agencies; Shirley G. Pasco; Pediatric Associates of Fulton;
The Phoenix Press; Charles Rock Associates; Carol A. Rutledge; Paul
W. Schneible, CPA; Corte J. Spencer; Millard Sullivan; The Ultimate
Edge; Edward Vayner and Associates; Leon Vickery, Inc.; and Central
Square Wal-Mart.
Other contributors include:
Alcan Employees F.C.U.; Joseph and Muriel Allerton; Associated Dental
Arts of Oswego; Richard Fiese, DMD; Fulton Typewriter; Arthur E.
Jones; Majestic Mold & Tool; Mirabito Development, Inc.; Oley’s
Express; Louis R. Pettinelli; Eugene Saloga; and Samuel J. Sugar,
Esq.
Since the non-profit agency is the
county’s designated economic and job development agency, primary
support for its activities comes through the Oswego County Legislature,
the cities of Fulton and Oswego, and private economic development
allies.
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Workforce,
Economy Discussed at Public Forum
Roger Evans, New York State Department of Labor
principal economist, L. Michael Treadwell, CEcD, executive director
of OOC, and Oswego County BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Joseph
Camerino presented information on the local workforce, economic
development and education at a public issues forum held at SUNY
Oswego’s Hewitt Union Ballroom in February.
The interactive forum, titled “Economic
and Workforce Issues: Today and Tomorrow,” provided participants
with an opportunity to discuss how various influences affect their
particular industry, and how local economic and workforce development
agencies can support their needs.
Featured presenter Ed Barlow, nationally
known futurist and president of Creating the Future, Inc., discussed
how economic, demographic, science and technology influences are
converging and how communities can leverage this information to
their competitive advantage.
The forum was co-hosted by the Workforce
Development Board of Oswego County and SUNY Oswego.
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