Operation Oswego County held its 73rd annual meeting on June 19 at the Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center in Oswego.
SUNY Oswego President Dr. Peter O. Nwosu, the keynote speaker, joined Austin Wheelock, OOC executive director, for a fireside chat on education and workforce development.
They discussed SUNY Oswego’s Vision 4040 Plan, how the college is aligning with evolving workforce demands and its role in supporting Micron’s historic investment in Central New York.
SUNY Oswego’s Vision 4040, as outlined by President Nwosu, is dedicated to doubling the number of graduates produced in a decade to 40,000 by 2040.
This will be essential to meet the economic demands with the NYS SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub, Micron and the economic growth that will be produced by those efforts.
SUNY Oswego envisions doubling the number of degrees and credentials it awards by 2040 to meet the needs of the Central New York region, Nwosu said. Vision 4040 establishes a pathway for SUNY Oswego to stabilize degree attainment of 4,000 awards per year.
“This is a serious commitment by the college,” he said. “We have a responsibility to ensure that our employers have the workers they need. We are all partners in this effort. What I have tried to do with vision 4040 is really to build on the work of the foundation that’s been laid before I came in here in terms of that responsibility.
“You can have a vision — but if you don’t implement it, it sits on the shelf. We have put together a plan that will guide that document over the next five years.”
Nwosu pointed out that the School of Business is now the College of Business and Entrepreneurship.
This renaming preserves the identity of well-regarded and AACSB-accredited business programs, known for strong alignment with industry needs, global perspectives and a focus on preparing students for leadership roles, he explained. This re-envisioning also acknowledges a commitment to innovation and enterprise — as entrepreneurship becomes an increasingly important part of a nimble and responsive economic ecosystem.
“We want to work with small businesses and really take them up to the next level,” he said.
Wheelock reported that in 2024, projects assisted by OOC and the County of Oswego IDA resulted in the creation or retention of 605 jobs and more than $165 million in capital investment, supporting 53 new, expanded or retained facilities. These projects were located throughout Oswego County, including the cities of Oswego and Fulton, the villages of Parish, Phoenix and Pulaski and eight towns. Many aligned with the key industry clusters-manufacturing, transportation and logistics, healthcare, tourism and hospitality, agribusiness and energy.
Since its inception in 1953, Operation Oswego County has played a pivotal role in driving economic growth through significant capital investments, fostering job creation and retention across Oswego County. (Capital investment: $5,772,831,024) Capital investments plays a key role in driving economic growth, with funds directed toward equipment, technology and other assets that foster long-term benefits, boost productivity, create jobs and strengthen the county’s future prosperity.
(New/retained jobs: 32,227) New jobs are created by business attraction and business growth, while retained jobs are preserved through efforts to maintain stability – both of which are essential for fostering a thriving workforce and strengthening the county’s economy.
Wheelock also reported on OOC’s marketing and promotion highlights as well as several collaborative initiatives with key stakeholders such as the U.S Economic Development Administration, National Grid, Oswego County Government, SUNY Oswego, the Port of Oswego Authority, Empire State Development, the Greater Oswego Fulton Chamber of Commerce, Integrated Community Planning of Oswego County and the Richard S. Shineman Foundation.
He highlighted three transformative local projects: ConnextCare’s $11.8 million new facility in downtown Oswego, NET & Die’s $6.7 million renovation of a former retail space in Fulton and the $8.5 million revitalization of the historic Old City Hall into a brewery and apartments, along with the $1.5 million Foundry project, both in Oswego.
Together, these initiatives showcase significant investments in healthcare, manufacturing and community revitalization across the region, he said.
Three business organizations, a successful entrepreneur and a long-standing economic development advocate were also honored for significant contributions to economic development and job creation in Oswego County.
- The Ally Award for 2025 was presented to the Greater Oswego Fulton Chamber of Commerce in recognition and appreciation of the vision, commitment and leadership exhibited by the Greater Oswego Fulton Chamber of Commerce to support local businesses through comprehensive membership services, operating the Oswego and Fulton farmers’ markets supporting local agriculture, partnering with Operation Oswego County on ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings, participating in special initiatives like the Oswego County Childcare Investment Fund and the Oswego County Micron Strategy Steering Committee and for being a vital and essential partner in economic development in Oswego County.
- The Business Excellence Award for 2025 was presented to Sorbello and Sons Farms in recognition and appreciation for demonstrating outstanding leadership and commitment in operating and retaining Sorbello and Sons Farms in Oswego County; for showing resiliency, adaptation and growth as the fourth generation owners in an evolving agribusiness market; for the investment in expanded facilities and new technology to improve crop yields while reducing carbon footprint and for more than 100 years of agriculture and business excellence in the town of Granby in Oswego County.
- The 2025 Jobs Award was presented to Oswego Industries in recognition and appreciation of the significant contribution and economic impact of Oswego Industries on the Oswego County economy by providing contract textile manufacturing and other specialty services in the city of Fulton; for employing more than 100 persons with disabilities and 165 total jobs; for the continuing adaptation to the needs of the populations they serve; and for its 57 year history of business and community growth in Oswego County.
- Scott Antonacci received OOC’s 2025 Dee Heckethorn Entrepreneur Award in recognition and appreciation of exceptional entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and dedication for starting multiple advanced manufacturing and prototyping businesses in the town of Schroeppel; for his collaborative efforts with Genius NY participants furthering entrepreneurial activity across upstate New York and for his vision to bring investment and innovation in emerging industry sectors like unmanned aerial vehicles and 3D additive metal printing to the Oswego County Industrial Park.
- Ron Tascarella was honored with the 2025 Martin Rose Economic Developer Merit Award in recognition and appreciation of his outstanding record of leadership, expertise, support and commitment to enhance the economic vitality of Oswego County’s businesses, industries, communities and citizens; by being employed most recently as the executive vice president and chief lending officer at Pathfinder Bank; for playing an integral role in the bank’s success, growing its loan portfolio by hundreds of millions within Oswego County; for contributing to the local banking industry for over four decades; and for serving on numerous boards and organizations that are vital to economic development and quality of life such as the Oswego Health board of directors, Red House board of directors, the Gifford Foundation and the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
For more information about economic development services in Oswego County, call OOC at 343-1545 or visit www.oswegocounty.org.
