By Stefan Yablonski
Austin Wheelock, executive director of Operation Oswego County, recently reported a wide range of plans taking place in Oswego County in 2026.
“There are a lot of things going on this year — in a lot of different communities,” Wheelock said.
He discusses some of the projects
1. Fulton
Hampton Inn and Housing Planned for Nestle site
“We are working with the city of Fulton and a Rochester developer to redevelop the former Nestle site. Indus Hospitality Group plans a hotel – mixed-use development, they have a signed purchase offer with the city of Fulton to develop the rest of the Nestle site,” he said. “They are looking to do a mixed-use development that would include an 80-room Hampton Inn Hotel, 10,000 square foot of new retail space, 75 units of market rate housing and it would also include a public plaza space and walking trails that connects all the assets together.
“Kind of creating a little community within the city. That is one of the big things we’ve been working on with the leadership of the city of Fulton and the developer since the summer of 2025. It’s a $55 million project; a new hub with a new vitality. There are a lot of opportunities for the city of Fulton.
Huhtamaki to Expand
Huhtamaki plans an expansion with two new production lines in Fulton.
“The IDA just yesterday (Jan. 22) approved an extension on the existing PILOT agreement, bringing in two new production lines. That is going to happen pretty quickly, in the first half of 2026, to help retain more than 400 jobs,” Wheelock said. “They are the second largest manufacturer in Oswego County and the largest private employer in Fulton. That company has a payroll of more than $30 million. It’s a great project, about $1 million investment. They’ve added two die cutting machines and two forming machines.”
2. Scriba
Novelis Going Through $255 Million Rebuild
“We’ve been working with Novelis since they had their first fire in September and the second fire in November to put together a package to assist them in their rebuild efforts. Novelis is doing a $255 million rebuild of its hot mill and finishing line. It’s extremely important because it is a fully integrated plant. It is extremely important to get the hot mill running again so that the plant is running optimally and fully employing more than 1,100 workers,” he said. “The IDA assisted Novelis with a $15 million sales and use tax exemption, specifically related to the rebuild. They are still operating out there, but they are in limited operation because without the hot mill they are having to continuously bring material in from other locations to feed the cold mill and finishing line. The faster they get that going again the better. Hopefully completed later this year. They are committed to rebuilding.”
3. Town of Schroeppel
Daldrop About to Start Operations
“Daldrop has completed the shell of their building at the end of 2025. They are just doing some finishing now inside of the building. That should be ready to go here in early 2026,” Wheelock said. “They are going to have 30 employees at that facility. They are going to be building clean room components, assembling and distributing them. You talk about the Micron supply companies — Daldrop is like the model company. They are an innovative company; they take care of their employees. They are definitely the kind of company you want to attract and have grow in your back yard.”
Mike Treadwell Industrial Park to Expand
The L. Michael Treadwell Oswego County Industrial Park expansion will begin in spring 2026 in the town of Schroeppel.
“It’s a $13.6 million expansion project of about 185 new acres of the industrial park going north-northwest from the existing park. The project includes new roads, new water and sewer, new electric, new electric sub-station, new gas lines and new telecommunication lines. We have secured funding multiple sources, The IDA has its own matching dollars, about $2.5 million for the project. In 2024 we got $2.5 million from the US Economic Development Administration and this past summer early fall, $8.1 million through the Empire State Fast New York program. Then we have also secured another $500,000 through National Grid’s industrial park improvement program. We’ve secured all dollars to get this thing going,” Wheelock said. “In December, we completed 100% design, all the engineering you need to do. We will probably be bidding the project in late February or early March. And breaking ground on the project in May or June. The project should take about a year, year and a half.”
4. Mexico
Beck’s Hotel: Redevelopment Expected to Conclude in 2026
The Beck’s Hotel redevelopment is underway under new owners in Mexico.
“We worked with the new ownership. The Furlong brothers, Greg and Pat, purchased Beck’s from the former owner and also have been able to get grants and other funding associated with that property signed over to them,” Wheelock said. “They are now moving forward with the rehabilitation of that building. Turning it into a restaurant, a café, a couple apartments and then some hotel space. The project is moving forward, construction is ongoing. They are doing some stabilization things right now to the foundation. We are looking at the project being completed in 2026.”
5. Richland
Boutique Hotel Planned for Selkirk Lighthouse Area
The Selkirk Lighthouse & Marina-Hotel Development is moving along in Richland. “Michael Barnell is the owner of the facility. He is going to build a boutique hotel on the waterfront there and some additional commercial space for food and pavilion space people to eat outside,” he said. “It’s a great project out there. About a $3.5 million project. It will support the tourism industry out there, which is already a very strong industry there.”
6. City of Oswego
Children’s Museum’s Building to be Redeveloped
A mixed-use redevelopment is underway in the city of Oswego at 7 W. Bridge St.
“It’s the building where the Children’s Museum is. It will continue to be the location of the Children’s Museum, he said. “Ed Alberts is working to purchase the building and redevelop some of the space that is not being utilized or needs to be modernized. He will create some commercial space along the front where a diner was.”
