by Austin Wheelock | ooc@oswegocounty.org
Every year, Operation Oswego County’s annual meeting provides an opportunity to reflect on where we have been, recognize the progress made across Oswego County, celebrate the companies and individuals making a difference and look ahead to the opportunities that will shape our future.
This year’s 74th Economic Development Celebration brought together more than 150 representatives from business, government, education, labor and community organizations at the Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center in Oswego.
While the event is a chance to highlight accomplishments, it is also a reminder of why we do this work.
Economic development is about creating opportunities, strengthening communities and building a future where businesses and residents can continue to succeed.
OOC welcomed keynote speaker Rich Barlette, director of state government affairs of Constellation, to talk about energy, economic development and new nuclear in New York. The conversation highlighted the important role that nuclear energy has played in Oswego County’s economy for decades and the opportunities that continued investment in the industry could bring. Barlette shared insight into how new nuclear technology and continued innovation could support economic growth, workforce opportunities and long-term energy solutions. The discussion also emphasized the importance of collaboration between industry, community leaders and regional partners to prepare for future growth.
OOC’s Impact on Economic Growth and Investment
OOC and the County of Oswego Industrial Development Agency continue helping the success of Oswego’s economic growth. In 2025 alone, both the OOC and the IDA supported 43 new, expanded or retained facilities through projects that will lead to the creation or retention of 1,422 jobs and more than $196 million in capital investment. These investments and projects continue to strengthen the local economy, reflected by Oswego County’s unemployment rate holding at 4.3% in 2025. For the past two years, the county’s unemployment rate has been equal to or lower than both the New York state and U.S. averages, a milestone not seen since 1990.
These accomplishments represent more than just numbers but show how businesses choose to invest in Oswego County, new opportunities for the community and a continued momentum toward a stronger local economy. We are excited to see this continue to grow in years to come with many economic development milestones and collaborative initiatives underway across the county.
Our annual meeting gives us a chance to truly look back and recognize the significant accomplishments our organizations and the county have made in the past year.
Some of these accomplishments include the village of Pulaski’s $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award and the village of Mexico $4.5 million NY Forward award.
These investments provide communities with the resources needed to improve infrastructure, enhance quality of life, support local businesses and create new opportunities for future growth.
OOC continues to focus on preparing Oswego County for the opportunities ahead. With anticipated growth throughout Central New York, including the transformational $100 billion investment expected from Micron, our work remains focused on ensuring our communities, businesses and workforce are ready for the future.
Through the Oswego County Micron Strategy Steering Committee, nearly 40 community leaders and more than 90 partner organizations are working together to identify opportunities, address challenges and strengthen the foundation needed to support long-term growth.
This collaborative approach reflects the core of economic development work. It is about bringing partners together, aligning vision and resources and ensuring communities are prepared to compete for
and benefit from future investment.
Additional updates shared during the annual meeting included progress on the OOC Strategic Plan, the Oswego County Childcare Investment Fund, the expansion of the L. Michael Treadwell Oswego County Industrial Park, infrastructure initiatives such as the Southern Oswego County Regional Interceptor Sewer (SOCRIS) and opportunities through the newly created MicroEnterprise Grant Program. Updates also highlighted continued manufacturing growth across Oswego County through investments from both new and existing businesses, as well as the resiliency and reinvestment demonstrated by Novelis following two devastating fires in late 2025.
Recognizing Those Who Make a Difference
Each year, OOC celebrates and recognizes businesses, organizations and individuals whose commitment and leadership strengthen the local economy. By taking time to celebrate and award their achievements, we not only acknowledge their contributions, but also highlight the impact that collaboration, community investment and job creation have on the future of Oswego County.
The 2026 award recipients represent the values that help communities grow and succeed. Through their dedication, they have helped make Oswego County a stronger place to live, work and do business.
The awardees are as follows:
• The Ally Award for 2026 was presented to TDO (Train, Develop, Optimize) in recognition and appreciation of the outstanding and technical assistance they provide to local manufacturing and technology companies across the CNY region, including Oswego County. TDO has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to helping regional manufacturers while also collaborating on numerous occasions with Operation Oswego County on economic development initiatives, including the Oswego County Manufacturing Summit. Through its expertise, partnership and unwavering support of local industry, TDO has become a valued partner within Oswego County’s economic development ecosystem.
• The Business Excellence Award for 2026 was presented to N.E.T & Die in recognition of 60 years of manufacturing excellence in the city of Fulton and Oswego County. As a third-generation family-owned and -operated business, N.E.T. & Die has continually adapted and evolved to meet changing needs like with its recent acquisition and renovation of the former K-mart property into manufacturing space. Its support of local organizations, including Fulton Block Builders and the ALS Association of Upstate New York, shows its commitment and contribution to the growth of the city of Fulton and the Central New York region.
• The 2026 Jobs Award was presented to Daldrop, SBB, LLC in recognition and appreciation of its significant contribution and economic impact in Oswego County. Through an $11 million investment in the construction of a new state-of-the-art cleanroom component manufacturing facility at the Oswego County Industrial Park, Daldrop SBB, LLC has demonstrated its commitment to the county’s future while creating 30 new manufacturing and engineering jobs.
• The OOC’s 2026 Dee Heckethorn Entrepreneur Award was presented to Mike Tormey and his family in recognition and appreciation of exceptional entrepreneurial spirit, vision and dedication in redeveloping the former Miller Brewery complex in the town of Volney into the Oswego Energy & Rail Park. Through their investment and leadership, they have helped attract and retain industrial businesses in Oswego County. Mike Tormey has demonstrated a strong commitment in partnership with Operation Oswego County and the county of Oswego IDA to the county’s future economic success.
• The 2026 Martin Rose Economic Developer Merit Award was presented to Jan Tighe in recognition and appreciation of her outstanding record of leadership, support, vision and dedication to the economic and community development of Oswego County. As mayor of the village of Pulaski for more than five years, also serving as deputy mayor and village trustee and participating as a member of the Pulaski Economic Development Task Force, Tighe has championed initiatives that have strengthened the community and enhanced quality of life for residents through improvements to water and wastewater infrastructure, municipal energy efficiency upgrades, sidewalk improvements and local park enhancements. Her leadership helped secure Pulaski’s designation at the first Pro-Housing Community in Central New York and played a key role in securing a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award for the village in 2025. Through her commitment to public service, she has made a lasting impact on the future of Pulaski and Oswego County.
Board Leadership Updates
During the annual meeting, our board elected new and returning members who will help guide OOC’s work in the year ahead. Susan Cole of National Grid and Maria Hudson of Constellation were elected to three-year terms. Sara Broadwell of the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce was elected to a two-year term and John Murray of EJ USA was elected to a one-year term. The board also re-elected Shane Broadwell, Pete Cullinan, William Galloway, Tricia Peter-Clark, James Ransom and Michelle Shatrau to additional three-year terms.
In addition, the board reaffirmed its leadership team, electing Pete Cullinan to a new two-year term as president, John Sharkey IV as vice president and Eric Behling as secretary.
The annual meeting also recognized the service of retiring board members Daniel Murphy, who served for 18 years; Ellen Holst, who served 17 years and also served as board president; and Chena Tucker, who served seven years. OOC expressed its sincere appreciation for their dedication, leadership and lasting contributions to both the organization and the broader Oswego County community.
Looking Ahead
As we look forward, our focus remains on supporting investment, strengthening partnerships and creating opportunities that move Oswego County forward. The progress we see today is the result of collaboration across our communities, businesses and regional partners who continue to believe in the county’s potential. We are proud of what has been accomplished and we are equally focused on the work still ahead as we continue building a stronger future for Oswego County.
Austin M. Wheelock, certified economic developer (CEcD), is the executive director of Operation Oswego County, Inc. For more information, call 315-343-1545 or visit www.oswegocounty.org.
