by Austin Wheelock | ooc@oswegocounty.org
Each year, Operation Oswego County gathers to reflect on the progress we’ve made, the partners who helped make it possible and the people whose vision continues to shape our future.
This June, we held our 73rd annual meeting at the Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center, where more than 170 business, government, education and community leaders joined us to celebrate another powerful year of economic growth and impact across Oswego County.
The day was filled with highlights, but one moment that stood out was a thoughtful and energizing fireside chat with Dr. Peter Nwosu, president of SUNY Oswego. We spoke about the intersection of higher education and economic development and how SUNY Oswego’s Vision 4040 Plan is preparing students — and the region — for the opportunities tied to transformative investments like Micron’s arrival in Central New York. His insights reinforced something we see every day in our work: talent and workforce development are at the core of long-term regional success.
In 2024 alone, projects supported by OOC and the County of Oswego Industrial Development Agency led to the creation or retention of 605 jobs, more than $165 million in capital investment, supporting 53 facilities across the county — touching the cities of Oswego and Fulton, the villages of Parish, Phoenix and Pulaski and eight towns in between.
From revitalizing downtowns to expanding industrial capacity, we’re seeing momentum across key industry sectors — manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, tourism, agribusiness and energy.
Some standout projects include:
• ConnextCare’s new $11.8 million state-of-the-art health center in downtown Oswego;
• NET & Die’s $6.7 million transformation of a former retail site into advanced manufacturing space in Fulton;
• The Alberts Group’s bold $8.5 million redevelopment of the historic Old City Hall into a brewery and apartments, paired with its $1.5 million Foundry project.
These projects represent more than just dollars and square footage — they reflect confidence in Oswego County’s future and a shared commitment to building vibrant, resilient communities.
A highlight of our annual meeting is recognizing those who make extraordinary contributions to Oswego County’s economic landscape. This year, we were proud to present five awards that reflect the diversity and strength of our local economy:
• The Ally Award went to the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce, whose partnership with OOC on initiatives like ribbon cuttings, business support services and strategic projects like the Oswego County Childcare Investment Fund has been nothing short of essential.
• The Business Excellence Award was awarded to Sorbello and Sons Farms, a fourth-generation agribusiness that has not only adapted to the modern agricultural landscape, but has done so with sustainability and innovation at the forefront.
• The Jobs Award was presented to Oswego Industries, which provides meaningful employment opportunities for more than 100 individuals with disabilities and employs more than 160 people in total. Their work in textile manufacturing and specialized services in Fulton has made them a vital part of our economy for 57 years.
• The Dee Heckethorn Entrepreneur Award honored Scott Antonacci, whose passion for advanced manufacturing has sparked new ventures in prototyping, 3D metal printing and drone technology. His work has helped attract entrepreneurial energy to the Oswego County Industrial Park and collaborative efforts with Genius NY participants.
• The Martin Rose Economic Developer Merit Award was given to Ron Tascarella for a distinguished career in local banking, lending and community development. His leadership at Pathfinder Bank and service on numerous local boards exemplifies the deep, long-term investment in place that makes economic development sustainable.
These individuals and organizations aren’t just growing their businesses — they’re shaping the identity of Oswego County as a place where innovation meets community and where opportunities are created for all.
Collaboration remains the engine behind everything we do at Operation Oswego County. Whether we’re working with Empire State Development, the U.S. Economic Development Administration, SUNY Oswego, National Grid, or our local municipalities and nonprofits, we know our best work happens when we work together.
As we look toward the rest of 2025 and beyond, we’re focused on building on the momentum of our successes. That means unlocking new sites for development, continuing to tell the Oswego County story to prospective investors and making sure our businesses and communities have the tools they need to grow.
To everyone who has partnered with us this past year: thank you.
Your belief in Oswego County is helping us shape a brighter, stronger and more prosperous future — one project, one job and one investment at a time.
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.
