Economic
Development Newsletter
May/June 2003:
Back
to Publications
"Successes
& Challenges" and Merit Awards Highlight OOC’s 51st
Annual Meeting
The theme was "Successes & Challenges"
for Operation Oswego County’s 51st annual meeting, held recently
at the Captain’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant in Oswego. The
many successful projects completed or initiated in the past year
by OOC were highlighted, as well as the challenges being faced,
and several organizations and individuals were cited with awards
for their contributions to economic development in Oswego County.
Michael J. Pollock, vice president of OOC’s
board of directors, and president and CEO of Fulton Savings Bank,
acknowledged that while 2002 was the year Oswego County lost two
key manufacturers, it was also a year of several notable successes.
"Although efforts to provide economic
development funding and assistance to Nestle and International Paper
failed to prevent them from closing their doors, we saw diversity
in new business growth as well as the expansion of several existing
businesses in Oswego County in 2002," Pollock said.
In 2002, projects assisted by OOC resulted
in the creation or retention of 620 jobs with over $42.3 million
in capital investment and 71 new, expanded or retained facilities.
OOC Executive Director L. Michael Treadwell,
CEcD, outlined a number of top economic development highlights for
the year, noting that OOC provided assistance to numerous projects
including:
-
Birds Eye Foods (formerly Agrilink) in Fulton added a new Birds
Eye frozen soup bowl product line, Hearty Spoonfuls, bringing
an investment of over $750,000 and adding another
20 full-time employees;
-
Local development representatives and SUNY Oswego officials
participated in a series of discussions with UPC Wind Management,
LLC of Massachusetts to evaluate the potential of developing
a distributed wind energy project in Oswego County at or near
the shores of Lake Ontario;
-
Sonoco Flexible Packaging invested $1 million in new equipment
to add "E-Beam" technology and help reduce waste at
its Fulton plant to compete more effectively in the packaging
industry and to retain 15 full-time local employees;
-
Choo Choo Charlies, a new convenience store, opened in the
town of Williamstown creating four jobs;
-
Construction began on the Whitewater Grill and Stoneledge Ice
Cream Parlor located on the west bank of the Oswego River in
Oswego creating 36 jobs;
-
OOC won a $75,000 economic development grant under the Build
Now-NY program administered by the Empire State Development
Corporation to study the upgrade and modernization of systems
at the Riverview Business Park in the town of Volney. The award
is designed to help make potential development sites shovel-ready;
-
King Arthur’s Steakhouse opened for business in the city
of Oswego in the historical Buckhout-Jones building on Bridge
Street. The restaurant employs 14 and features traditional pub-style
fare in a Medieval-themed atmosphere;
-
Dunkin’ Donuts opened on the west side of the city of
Fulton on Route 48 creating 24 jobs;
-
Little Lukes Childcare Center opened in Oswego. The 8,000-square
foot facility has the capacity to serve 116 children ages six
weeks to 12 years old and created 22 jobs;
-
Lighthouse Lanes located a new $3.2 million bowling center
in the city of Oswego creating 17 jobs.
Several Awards Presented
In addition to announcing the 2002 economic
impact summary and recognizing top development projects in 2002,
three business organizations and a well-known development leader
and public servant were honored for significant contributions to
economic development and job creation in Oswego County.
The Ally Award for 2003 was presented to
the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board, recognizing
it as an "ally" organization in the economic development
process in Oswego County for its efforts to provide services such
as project development, business financing, and planning and research
in order to support manufacturing and service industries throughout
Oswego County. The CNYRPDB was instrumental in helping to secure
$1 million in U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration
funding for the Scriba Route 1/1A sewer project.
The Business Excellence Award for 2003 was
presented to Entergy Nuclear Northeast, honoring the company for
its efforts in maintaining employee safety and outstanding operational
performance, retaining 770 employees and increasing generating capacity
by 12 percent since 1999. It was also cited for its recognition
by New York State for exceeding 6.5 million labor hours in 2002
without a lost-time occurrence and for its ongoing contribution
to community initiatives in education, health and social services,
environmental improvement and economic development.
The 2003 Jobs Award, recognizing significant
capital investment as well as job creation and retention, was presented
to Wal-Mart of Central Square, for "its ongoing commitment
to invest and expand its retail operations in Oswego County reflected
in the opening of a 155,000-square foot super center in the village
of Central Square which resulted in the creation of 325 jobs."
The Central Square Wal-Mart was also honored for offering the community
a one-stop shopping experience including a supermarket, restaurant,
auto service center and bank branch and for its participation and
support of business and charitable organizations.
The 2003 Martin Rose Economic Developer Merit
Award went to Carolyn Rush who was honored for her commitment to
economic development throughout Oswego County for more than 20 years.
Rush was honored for her leadership as director of the Oswego County
Department of Employment and Training, as the first female county
administrator in New York State, as the executive director for SUNY
Oswego’s Center for Business and Community Development, as
legislator for District 13, New Haven and as deputy to the president
of SUNY Oswego. She was also recognized for her contributions as
a member of the board of directors for OOC and as chairperson of
the County of Oswego Industrial Development Agency for her vital
role in the creation and implementation of the IDA’s revolving
loan program.
Also at the meeting, the OOC board of directors
elected Bruce Montgomery, director of engineering for Constellation
Energy Group, and recognized retiring board member Shirley Pasco
for providing more than 16 years of distinguished service. In other
business, the organization re- elected board members Brian Frazier,
Ed Gilson, Thomas McAuslan, Carol Rutledge, Eugene Saloga, Millard
Sullivan, Gary Toth, David Turner, and Joseph Wiedenbeck.
Back to Top
Empire
Zone Boundary Revisions Help Boost Economic Development
The Oswego County Legislature recently approved
boundary revisions to the Fulton and Oswego Empire Zones (EZs) in
order to enhance opportunities for new business and job growth.
Key boundary revisions in the Oswego EZ include:
expansion in the town of Minetto (former Columbia Mills site), commercial
property on NYS Rte. 104 East and West, Utica Street, and other
miscellaneous commercial properties in the city of Oswego; deletion
of undevelopable property in the city of Oswego and the town of
Scriba; and change in total acreage in the Oswego EZ to 1,245 with
a reserve balance of 35 acres for future expansion.
Key boundary revisions in the Fulton EZ include:
expansion to include properties in the town of Volney, commercial
areas in the town of Granby and city of Fulton, and areas in the
city of Fulton located in or adjacent to an eligible census track;
expansion in the areas of InterFace Solutions, Airport Industrial
Park, Owens-Brockway, Riverview Business Park, and Northern Concrete;
deletion of undevelopable property at the Riverview Business Park
in the town of Volney; and changing total acreage in the Fulton
EZ to 1,280.
"The EZ program is one of the most effective
economic development tools we have available in Oswego County and
with boundary changes, the EZ areas will be expanded to offer even
greater development potential," commented OOC’s Executive
Director L. Michael Treadwell, CEcD.
Prospective or expanding businesses certified
and located in one of the two EZs are eligible for special assistance
and benefits designed to create the best climate possible for profitability
and growth. Some of these benefits include preferential treatment
for NYS-sponsored programs and local lending programs; priority
status for both licensing and coordinating with all state regulatory
agencies; special employee training assistance programs; and free
water for three years in the Oswego EZ.
Back to Top
OOC
Brochure Wins Award
Operation Oswego County (OOC) was recently
recognized with an award of excellence in the New York State Economic
Development Council’s (NYSEDC) marketing materials competition
for its economic development brochure titled "Your Future Starts
Here."
The publication was designed to showcase
the exceptional quality of life in Oswego County to help attract
new industry and add new job opportunities.
The recognitions are awarded each year to
NYSEDC member organizations throughout New York State who produce
printed materials and Internet media to promote economic development
in their areas. OOC has won several awards in past years for the
effectiveness of its advertising and promotional materials.
"We are proud to receive one of NYSEDC’s
top awards once again for one of our publications. This brochure
is an effective tool for bringing attention to Oswego County and
the resources and assets that would offer value to a potential business
customer," said OOC Executive Director L. Michael Treadwell.
"Your Future Starts Here" was developed
by OOC staff and Distler Communications of Oswego.
Back to Top
Disaster
Recovery Center Completes Work in Oswego County, Local Assistance
Tops $400,000
While the temporary Disaster Recovery Center
(DRC) located in the Oswego County Industrial Park in the town of
Schroeppel is now closed, cooperation between Operation Oswego County
and state and federal agencies resulted in local assistance of over
$400,000. Disaster assistance included grants to pay for temporary
housing, disaster-related assistance for expenses and serious needs
as well as low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration
(SBA).
OOC donated office space at its Start-Up
Facility (SUF) located in the industrial park to the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) and the New York State Emergency Management
Office (SEMO) to assist county residents and businesses affected
by the devastating ice storm last April.
"The April ice storm was a traumatic
event for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, but the financial
assistance needed for individuals and communities to recover is
flowing," said Marianne C. Jackson, federal coordinating officer
for FEMA's disaster recovery operation.
According to FEMA, 1,174 individuals or businesses
from Oswego County applied for assistance to repair damage caused
by the disaster or for temporary housing due to a damaged home;
159 applications have been approved to date totaling $237,884. Other
Needs Assistance (ONA), which includes assistance for personal property
losses, medical, dental, and funeral expenses and/or damage to private
vehicles, totaled $90,883. In addition, the SBA approved $79,200
in
low-interest disaster loans in Oswego County.
"The disaster assistance programs and
recovery specialists at the DRC have been extremely helpful to residents
and businesses struggling to deal with damage from the storm. We
were happy to provide the space to establish a local resource for
people to obtain information about financial assistance to cover
the costs of damage to private and public property," said L.
Michael Treadwell, CEcD, executive director of OOC.
The SUF is one of two incubator buildings
owned and managed by OOC with affordable rental space for non-retail,
industrial and service businesses. The SUF and the Oswego County
Business Expansion Center (BEC) in Oswego are designed to help businesses
achieve significant growth and development during the first few
years of business with the intention of eventually moving out of
the building and into private commercial space.
Back to Top
OOC
Business Assistance:
Operation Oswego County offers an array of
business assistance services to both new and expanding companies
throughout Oswego County.
Recent economic development projects around
Oswego County include:
-
Fluttering Gardens, a new floral shop
located in the village of Phoenix, created two jobs. The project
received financial assistance from the County of Oswego Industrial
Development Agency (IDA) and Fulton Savings Bank.
-
Advantage Carpets expanded its retail
carpet business by relocating to a new building on West Fourth
Street in Oswego. Funding for the project was provided by the
IDA, Oswego County National Bank and a Small Business Administration
(SBA) 504 loan through OOC. The expansion created two jobs.
-
SUNY Oswego will construct a new 160,000
square foot campus center to be used for meetings, large events,
assemblies and student activities. The project will create 49
jobs with an estimated $2.1 million in new annual payroll. Funding
will be assisted by the IDA through the issuance of civic facility
revenue bonds.
-
Oliver B. Paine Greenhouses in Granby
expanded its plant growing and cultivation business. Funding
was provided by the IDA, Oswego County National Bank and the
Central New York Enterprise Development Corporation.
-
Cheap Seats Sports Bar and Grille, Inc.,
located in Oswego, created 10 jobs. The project was funded by
the IDA, the City of Oswego Community Development Office, Fulton
Savings Bank and an SBA 504 loan through OOC.
- Best Western
Captain’s Quarters in Oswego will receive an IDA loan to
assist in financing a riverfront stabilization project necessary
for future expansion projects including additional hotel rooms,
a convention center and a restaurant. The project will create
a new link between the landside pedestrian trail system and the
canal-based water trail system. The project is compliant with
the New York State Canal Recreationway Plan and the city of Oswego’s
local waterfront revitalization plan.
Back to Top
Micro-Enterprise
Classes to Start
For those who are interested in expanding
or starting a new small business enterprise, another series of training
and loan fund program classes is scheduled to start this fall. The
classes are designed for new and existing small businesses operating
in Oswego County.
The program, Oswego County Micro Enterprise
Training, 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.
Graduates of the Micro Enterprise Training
Program will be eligible to apply for low interest financing to
expand or start their business in Oswego County. At the completion
of the program, an intensive business plan development course will
be offered for those who need further assistance in writing a business
plan.
Following is the schedule of fall classes.
Call OOC at 315-343-1545 for more information.
City of Oswego
September 9—October 21
Tuesdays, 6:30 — 9:30 pm
OOC Conference Room
City of Fulton
October 1 — November 12
Wednesdays, 6:30—9:30 pm
Oswego Falls Business Center
163 South First St., Fulton
Operation Oswego County
October 25 — November 15
Saturdays, 9:00 am — 3:00 pm
Town of Parish Office Building
2938 East Main St., Parish
Back to Top
Oswego
County Marketed at International Plastics Conference
As part of an effort to directly market Oswego
County’s economic resources globally, Operation Oswego County
(OOC) recently attended NPE 2003, The Worlds Plastics Showcase held
in Chicago. The event, which is held every three years, is the world's
largest exposition and conference for the plastics industry and
featured more than 2,000 exhibitors including leading engineers,
designers, researchers, and executives from over 100 countries.
“The conference was an excellent opportunity
to promote Oswego County’s economic resources to a captive
audience of thousands of plastic industry executives of companies
that may possibly be outgrowing their current manufacturing facilities
or are finding it necessary to expand into new regions to better
serve their markets,” said L. Michael Treadwell, CEcD, executive
director of OOC.
Exhibitors included companies that manufacture
machinery, auxiliary equipment, instruments and controls, robotics,
and resins and additives for use in automobiles, medical devices,
appliances, and packaging.
The World’s Plastics Showcase was sponsored
by the Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc., the trade association
representing one of the largest manufacturing sectors in the United
States. The U.S. plastics industry employs 1.5 million workers and
provides more than $320 billion in annual shipments.
This marketing initiative was a cooperative
effort between Niagara Mohawk Power Corp., Empire State Development
and participating economic development organizations from Niagara
Mohawk’s service area, according to Treadwell. Participation
in these types of targeted events is an integral part of OOC’s
strategic marketing plan.
Back to Top
|
