Project review, local awards highlight Operation Oswego County’s annual meeting

OSWEGO — Operation Oswego County (OOC) used its recent annual meeting to highlight area projects it views as “transformative.” The projects included 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. In addition, OOC and the County of Oswego IDA (COIDA) in 2024 helped with projects that resulted in the creation or retention of 605 jobs and more than $165 million in capital investment, supporting 53 new, expanded, or retained facilities. The projects were located throughout Oswego County, including the cities of Oswego and Fulton, along with the villages of Parish, Phoenix, and Pulaski, and eight towns as well. Austin Wheelock, executive director of Operation Oswego County, shared the information as OOC held its 73rd annual meeting on June 19 at the Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center in Oswego. Peter Cullinan, president of the OOC board of directors, welcomed 170 representatives of businesses, government, education, labor, and other community organizations to the meeting. Peter Nwosu, president of SUNY Oswego, was the event’s keynote speaker and joined OOC Executive Director Austin Wheelock 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 Technology Inc.’s (NASDAQ: MU) investment in Central New York.

Awards

OOC also recognized three business organizations, a successful entrepreneur, and a long-standing, economic-development advocate for their 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 it provides to support local businesses. The Business Excellence Award for 2025 was given to Sorbello and Sons Farms for demonstrating leadership and commitment in operating and retaining Sorbello and Sons Farms in Oswego County. The 2025 Jobs Award was presented to Oswego Industries for its contribution and impact on the Oswego County economy by providing contract textile manufacturing and other specialty services in the city of Fulton. 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. OOC also honored Ron Tascarella with the 2025 Martin Rose Economic Developer Merit Award for his record of leadership, expertise, support, and commitment to and his efforts to “enhance the economic vitality” of Oswego County’s businesses, industries, communities, and citizens. Tascarella, who worked in the local banking industry for more than four decades, most recently worked as the executive VP and chief lending officer at Pathfinder Bank for 18 years. He helped the bank grow its loan portfolio by hundreds of millions within Oswego County, OOC said.