Sutton Companies awarded for community investment initiatives
By Lou Sorendo
The Sutton Companies, the driving force behind the Stevedore and Seaway Lofts projects in Oswego, received the Community Investor Award from the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce during it 97th annual meeting this afternoon at the River Vista Center in Fulton.
Stevedore Lofts was a $6.5 million project while Seaway Lofts will cost $6.9 million.
The Sutton Companies, a property management and brokerage firm headquartered in Syracuse, were founded in 1933.
Deanna Masuicca, executive director of the Oswego YMCA since 1984, captured the Kenneth Boutwell Award.
Bill and Karen Hubel were awarded the Jan Rebeor Award. The Hubels recently opened a new restaurant, Under The Moon. The restaurant is located beneath Blue Moon Grill, also owned by the Hubels, in Fulton’s Canal Landing.
The President’s Award went to Thomas Greco of Fulton Savings Bank.
Chamber executive director Beth Hilton noted the chamber’s membership grew by 80 members to 532 in 2012.
The chamber held 31 ribbon cuttings in 2012 and also assisted on three groundbreaking events.
Hilton said the chamber has been bolstered by a $40,000 Small Business Assistance Program health care and insurance education grant. Community Health Advocates, an initiative of the Community Service Society, issued the grant.
Fueled by the grant, the chamber is providing education and assistance to small businesses throughout Oswego County regarding health care and health insurance options.
Business longevity milestones were announced at the meeting, including E&V Energy in Fulton (100 years) United Way of Oswego County (75 years), Operation Oswego County (60 years) and Community Bank (40 years.)
The guest speaker was Barry Thompson of Thompson Consulting Group.
Thompson is an international speaker, trainer, consultant, and writer. He is a security and compliance “guru” for a leading national training organization and regularly presents security conferences for trade groups.
His presentation centered on baby boomers being the victims of "elder fraud," which is becoming the fastest growing swindle in the country.
