Oswego County Business, #184: February - March 2023

February / March 2023

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New Oswego Health CEO Looks to Build on 142-Year-Old Legacy At age 39, Mike Backus takes the helm of Oswego Health, one of the largest employers in region. He talks about his new job and how he plans to tackle the multiples challenges faced by the health system. Page 56

PROGRESS ISSUE begins on P. 71

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CONTENTS

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2023

ISSUE 184

Do we h workers ave enough to staff Micron?

P. 91

56

71

At age 39, Michael C. Backus takes over as the CEO of Oswego Health, the second largest employer in Oswego County with 1,245 employees. “We’ll continue to expand [our] footprint. That’s the growth that I want for this health system,” he says.

Central New York has already seen the positive effects of the proposed Micron plant in Clay. Experts predict significant gains in population, wages, housing sales and construction, and manufacturing growth as a result of the project.

MIKE BACKUS NOW THE NEW CEO OF OSWEGO HEALTH

8

OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

CENTRAL NEW YORK PROGRESS ISSUE 2023

More Contents 28

Too Much Emails?

44

Smaller Colleges’ Problem

48

Arts & Events

52

My Turn

62

Tim’s Notes

64

Quiet Quitting

66

Hot Jobs

68

Wage Disparity

Experts help us manage the avalanche of emails we get Cazenovia College shuts down in the spring. Other colleges may follow suit After tough COVID-19 years, sector is re-emerging Everybody lies on their resume, right? The ‘Santos Factor’

By Bruce Frassinelli Crowdfunding transforms ways for local creatives to find support

By Tim Nekritz What is this all about?

20

Where are they and how much do they pay?

No kidding: Women still make less than men

Departments 12 16

Publisher’s Note On the Job

20

How I Got Started

22

How has your business changed over the years?

22

Harrison J. Noel III, Good Guys Barber Shop, Fulton

36

Profile

Rachel Pierce, head of Workforce Dev. Board

24

Where is Sandra Scott?

36

Dining Out

40 62

Business Updates Last Page

Ostia Antica, Italy

Blue Moon Grill Shines in Fulton

Developer Ed Alberts to renovate Old City Hall in Oswego

College: Cazenovia olleges ll c More sma close in to d te c e p ex ew York Upstate N P. 44

44 FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS

9

ADVERTISING INDEX Advanced Dental Arts...................15 Allanson-Glanville-Tappan Funeral Home.........................50 ALPS Professional Services.........33 Arquette Realtors Commercial.....41 Associated Dental Arts.................43 BarclayDamon..............................23 Bond, Schoeneck & King, Attorneys at Law.....................15 Buckingham Brothers...................65 Builder’s FirstSource....................31 Burke’s Home Center...................33 Burritt Motors................................42 C & S Companies.........................74 Canale’s Insurance & Acct. .........17 Cayuga Community College.........13 Century 21 - Galloway Realty.......33 City of Oswego ............................21 Colonial Financial Group..............17 Community Bank..........................11 Compass Credit Union.................51 ConnextCare................................70 Constelation..................................99 Cornell Cooperative Extension.....55 Crouse Hospital..............................2

E J USA........................................93 Elemental Management Group ......6 Excellus - BCBS.........................100 Financial Partners of Upstate (David Mirabito).......................15 Finger Lakes Garage Doors.........33 Fitzgibbons Agency......................23 Foster Funeral Home....................42 Fulton Oswego Motor Express.....83 Fulton Savings Bank.....................65 Fulton Taxi....................................49 Fulton Tool Co..............................83 Gartner Equipment.......................75 Green Planet Grocery...................29 Harborfest.....................................29 Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY..................43 Howard Hanna Real Estate..........83 J P Jewelers.................................27 Johnston Gas...............................33 JTS Remodeling...........................83 Kathy’s Cake & Specialty Treats......................27 Key Bank......................................41 Lamb’s Handyman Service...........31

Laser Transit.................................83 Longley Brothers..........................83 LW Emporium Co-Op...................27 MACNY.........................................81 Majestic Tool & Mold....................79 Menter Ambulance.......................43 Mimi’s Drive Inn............................39 Mitchell Speedway Printing..........55 NBT Bank.....................................18 Nicole Reed, Esq..........................41 North Country Storage Barns.........7 Novelis............................................4 OD Green Lumber........................35 Operation Oswego County...........99 New York Career Center..............18 Oswego County FCU....................69 Oswego County Mutual Ins..........54 Oswego County Opportunities......49 Oswego Tourism Department.......14 Oswego Health ............................59 Oswego Music Hall.......................51 Painful Acres Amish Furniture......27 Patterson Warehousing................83 Plumley Engineering.....................95 Port of Oswego Authority..............95

UPSTATE CARDIOLOGY CONTINUES TO GROW

Prevention Network......................29 River Walk Bagel & Pizza.............29 RiverHouse Restaurant................39 Riverside Artisans.........................27 Scriba Electric...............................35 Splash Indoor Water Park Resort...............................5 State Farm (Chris Nelson)............55 SUNY Oswego — MBA School....19 SUNY Upstate................................3 Sweet-Woods Memorial...............33 Technology Development Org......69 The Rental Warehouse.................33 Trimble Services...........................33 Tully Hill Treatment & Recovery...50 United Wire Technology...............81 Upstate Cardiology.......................10 Valti Graphics...............................31 Vashaw’s Collision........................55 Watertown Industrial Center of Local Development.............81 WD Malone...................................31 Whelan & Curry Construction.......83 White’s Lumber ............................35 WRVO..........................................95

OUR UPSTATE CARDIOLOGY TEAM CONTINUES TO GROW. PHYSICIANS FROM TOP LEFT: Dana C. Aiello, MD Larry S. Charlamb, MD Mark J. Charlamb, MD Christopher A. Nardone, MD Michael Fischi, MD Charles Perla, MD Theresa Waters, DO Andrew M. Weinberg, DO

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

NEW CEO AT OSWEGO HEALTH

OswegoCountyBusiness.com

CEO Chuck Gijanto recognizes that Oswego Health is losing money. Find out what he plans to do to change that trend

December 15 / January 16

Help Us Keep FitzPatrick Working

$4.50

The Fight to Build a Holiday Inn Express in Oswego Find Out How Kim Doyle of Fulton Grew Her Hair Salon

in the newspaper business. For generations, his family successfully ran the Mexico Independent Inc. (Oswego County Weeklies newspapers) until it was sold in 2016. For a while Backus wrote stories, sold advertisements for the newspapers. In 2012, at 29 years of age, he was elected to the post of Oswego County clerk, the youngest to ever hold that position in New York state. He served in that position until 2020, when he started working at Oswego Health.

Those who know Backus say he is smart, energetic, competitive, consensus builder, a people person. He describes himself Meet Ann Gilpin, as an “eternal optiOswego Health’s mist” who is a good New CEO listener ­— he is fond of saying that “Whoever said, ‘you have two ears and one mouth — OSWEGO COUNTY use them in proportion’ knew what they were talking about.”

About his appointment as CEO, Ed Alberts, New Oswego the chairman of Health CEO Talks About His Plans the Oswego Health board, said his selection was an obvious one. “There are a few times in life when you come across a no-brainer.

[Selecting Backus] falls into that category of no-brainer,” he says in the story we’re running in this issue.

Oswego Health indeed needs a strong leader right now. Competition for patients and professionals is fierce, hospitals in general are losing money (and merging with larger groups) and finding nurses and doctors has been more challenging than ever.

SPECIAL: PROGRESS ISSUE 2007

OswegoCountyBusiness.com

CEO Takes Over Amid Major Changes in Healthcare Industry

INSIDE

What CNY Expects from Gov. Spitzer Chris Gagas, Mame Clark Retire

Profile: Betty Fadden

Lee Memorial: Future Uncertain

BUSINESS $4.50

August / September 2017

OswegoCountyBusiness.com

Tourism Industry Special Inside

August/September 2017

I

t looks like it’s becoming a tradition for this magazine to feature the new chief executive officer of Oswego Health on its cover.

We featured Corte Spencer and his team on the April-May 2001 cover (although he had been a CEO since 1981); Ann Gilpin on February-March 2007; then Chuck Gijanto, on December 2015 – January 2016. In the August-September 2017 issue we featured Michael Harlovic, who retired from the position at the end of last year.

The reason they are on the cover is quite simple: These executives command great power and lead one of the largest employers in the region — the second largest private employer in Oswego County with 1,245 employees. They have the responsibility to Getting steer the course of Oswego Health in the organization Shape that currently has Officials to an annual payGov. Cuomo roll of $76 million and generates $228 million in economic activity for the region. The role of the chief executive officer in this process is crucial and helps determine the performance and future of the organization.

In this issue, we feature Michael C. Backus, who became CEO on Jan. 1.

Backus is a home-grown leader who previously served as Oswego Health’s chief operating officer and executive vice president. His involvement in healthcare also includes serving as the chairman of the board at Pulaski-based ConnextCare.

It’s not the first time Backus is on the cover of Oswego County Business Magazine. In 2013 he was there as part of a group of people who had been selected as Forty Under 40 “Rising Stars,” organized by this magazine.

The 39-year-old executive has deep roots in the community. He grew up

$4.50

From Pittsburgh to Oswego: CEO Michael Harlovic wants to make Oswego Health a destination facility, to improve patient experience and quality, and to create a culture of ownership

12 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

WAGNER DOTTO is the editor and publisher of Oswego County Business Magazine.

ISSUE 182 • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2022

EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Wagner Dotto editor@cnybusinessmag.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR Stefan Yablonski syablonski@twcny.rr.com WRITERS Deborah Jeanne Sergeant Christopher Malone, Ken Sturtz Stefan Yablonski, Aaron Gifford COLUMNISTS Austin Wheelock Bruce Frassinelli, Sandra Scott ADVERTISING Peggy Kain peggylocalnews@gmail.com Kim Micca kimlocalnews@gmail.com SECRETARY Loni Zardus localnewsoffice@gmail.com LAYOUT & DESIGN Angel Campos Toro COVER PHOTO Chuck Wainwright

OSWEGOCOUNTYBUSINESS.COM OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS MAGAZINE is published six times a year by Local News, Inc., publisher of the Business Guide, Upstate Summer, Fall, & Winter guides, College Life Newspaper, In Good Health—The Healthcare Newspaper (across four regions) and 55 Plus Magazine for Active Adults in Rochester and Central New York.

Subscription rate is $21.50 a year; $35 for two years. Single-copy price is $4.50. PRSRT STD US Postage PAID, Buffalo, NY, Permit No. 4725. © 2023 Oswego County Business. All rights reserved. No material from this publication may be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of the publisher.

HOW TO REACH US: P.O. Box 276, Oswego, NY 13126.

Phone: 315-342-8020 Fax: 315-342-7776; editor@OswegoCountyBusiness.com

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ON THE JOB

How Has Your Business Changed Over the Years?

Interviews by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

“Over the last couple of years our business made a change from in-person meetings to a hybrid mix. The new world we live in because of COVID-19 forced the agents to embrace technology in their marketing as well as how they interact with buyers and sellers. We are conducting showings virtually, virtually staging houses and using a platform for online signatures. Our meetings are a mixture of online and in-person.”

Eric Pedrotti Licensed real estate associate broker, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, CNY Realty, North Syracuse and Oswego.

“Chirello Advertising celebrates 27 years this year. Along the way, I’ve seen many changes in the marketing landscape. For print advertising and collateral, we’ve gone from reflective art to PDFs and from faxes to emails.

While in-person meetings and discussion are more important than ever, we accomplish so much these days communicating with clients through our desktop, laptop or phone. The media mix has changed dramatically. The diversity of media and measuring its effectiveness has improved significantly.

We have more marvelous options than ever to develop the right combination of media and public relations for each and every client. Search marketing, social media advertising and content management, streaming television and the overwhelming power of video across multiple platforms give clients tremendous clout in reaching and engaging with their audience. Through the years, it’s always been satisfying to find the right mix for clients and these days, it’s more fun and rewarding than ever.”

Steve Chirello Owner, Steve Chirello Advertising, Fulton.

“Since I have been in business in 1980, the real estate business has changed dramatically. The internet was huge with marketing all of our listings to potential clients. Over time, the cell

phone has taken over as the way for agents to be their own mobile office.

They can do everything right from their hand and don’t need to be tied to a desk all day long. Technology keeps changing my business every year.”

William Galloway Broker/owner Century 21 Galloway Realty, Oswego.

“My company, Women TIES, is celebrating 18 years in business on March 3.

Since starting the company, I expanded it to include a division: The Women’s Athletic Network, which brings women entrepreneurs and women in business together to attend sporting or adventure events and network while doing them.

The WAN celebrates its 10th anniversary this year with plans to expand the type of events and number of women attending them. I also added a Women’s Equality Division after taking 120 women to the Women’s March on DC in 2017 and continue to promote feminist agendas and female politicians who run for office.”

Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham Founder/president, Women TIES, LLC, Syracuse.

“Since established in 1755, Fort Ontario has changed from soldiers using muzzleloading smoothbore muskets to

16 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

muzzleloading rifle-muskets followed by breechloading single shot rifles followed by bolt-action, semi-automatic, and automatic rifles and since 1962 backwards to muzzleloading smoothbore muskets and rifle-muskets by museum staff.”

Paul Lear Historic site manager, Fort Ontario State Historic Site, Oswego.

“I graduated high school in 1977 and shortly thereafter began working roofing exclusively until the opportunity to buy the company and expanded it to include building, insulating, siding and windows. In 2002, I decided what I really wanted to do was become a developer and decided it must be in the city of Oswego only and started by purchasing the former Buckhout-Jones building as my first development. From there I was hooked, and realized I had a passion to create and change buildings.

The ride has been crazy, but I would do it all again and look forward to the next opportunity. Oswego is incredibly beautiful and the opportunities still endless.”

Tony Pauldine, Owner Anthony M. Pauldine General Contractors, Inc. “The business of Oswego County

Opportunities, Inc. has been impacted in several ways over the past few years.

First and foremost, the COVID-19 pandemic while a significant challenge also provided opportunities to examine the way we conduct business on many fronts. The addition of virtual options in meeting with consumers has provided flexibility and added benefit to our consumers, particularly those challenged with reliable transportation. It also has provided opportunities for employees to work remotely. Second, the regulatory environment has significantly increased for nonprofits in general. Accountability and assuring compliance is critical and important as a nonprofit however, the amount of time and resources this now takes is not adequately funded by the same entities that require the additional accountability.”

Diane Cooper-Currier Executive director Oswego County Opportunities, Inc., Fulton.

“One thing that’s changed is now we’re veteran owned. After 25 years of serving in the US military, I own the hotel and run it full-time. It’s still a family-owned and family-run business. We try to accommodate everyone the best we can on a family and friends level.”

Robert Taylor Owner All Season’s Inn, Scriba.

“Since first opening in 1996 as a one-person operation, our business has grown to become one of the mainstays of the Oswego County and Central New York real estate business. We have listed and sold literally thousands of homes, lots, land and commercial properties.

Our agents are skilled professionals who help people achieve the American dream of home ownership each and every day. We are proud to be a part of the Century 21 system and proud of the fact that we remain the most recognized name in the real estate business. Our geographic reach has been from up in the Adirondacks area to as far west as Buffalo, although the majority of business has been right here in Central New York. We have grown to two offices, one located in Fulton and the second located in Liverpool. We are excited about the future growth we see coming in the real estate marketplace as Micron moves into the area with its chip manufacturing facility over the next 10 to 15 years. This is truly an exciting time in this area.”

Leah Haggerty Licensed real estate broker and owner of Century 21 Leah’s Signature, Fulton and Liverpool.

“Over the past few years, the business has become more tech savvy, relying on the internet for communication with our clients.

With this of course has come a learn curve of fighting the curse of online scammers and hackers. We have had extensive training on how to secure client data and online iterations.”

BRENDA WEISSENBERG, Owner/accountant, Affordable Business Solutions, West Monroe.

“As you may know, Brewerton Boat Yard had been operated exclusively by the Carroll family since 1966. In October of last year, the Renslow family (owners of Oneida Lake Marina) took ownership of the Brewerton Boat Yard. No major changes are planned for the ship store, service department or marina operations. Additions will include pontoon boat rentals, and sales for Tahoe Pontoons and Lund Fishing Boats.”

Chris Renslow Managing member, Brewerton Boat Yard, LLC, Brewerton.

“Three years ago, Josh and Dustin Trimble wanted to incorporate their passion for cranes, rigging, machinery moving and hauling into a family business in Upstate New York. They started Trimble Services out of a storage unit at the Eis House in Mexico with the purchase of a Western Star tractor and a landoll. Josh is a seasoned crane operator with his NCCCO operator’s license and Dustin has six years of business experience operating the Eis House. The business also includes Barry with more than 30 years in the industry and Debbie who oversees the finances.

Over the past three years, our fleet of equipment has grown to two tractors, five trailers, two cranes (60-ton and 170ton), four forklifts, company truck and an assortment of rigging equipment.

A year ago, Trimble Services moved to a terminal in Fulton. The business continues to grow and is building a satisfied client base.”

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SUNY Oswego’s Online MBA Continues Top Ranking

S

UNY Oswego’s online master of business administration (MBA) program continues to rank top among public institutions in New York state by U.S. News and World Report in rankings released on Jan. 24.

For the overall online MBA, Oswego tied for 58th – the eighth straight year as the top public offering in New York.

In addition, the university’s online bachelor’s business program –- a newer and continuously growing option –- tied for 79th in its second year on the rankings. This entry also placed the college among the top overall online bachelor programs.

Striving for a learner-centered, affordable and impactful program contributes to the online MBA’s ongoing success, said Prabakar Kothandaraman, dean of Oswego’s School of Business.

“Continuous improvement is at the core of what we do here at the School of Business, as demonstrated by our AACSB accreditation,” Kothandaraman said.

“We use that ‘improvement’ mindset to challenge ourselves constantly to develop and deliver practice-informed curriculum, keep our faculty’s intellectual currency current and embrace newer technology to nurture and support our students to succeed,” he added.

“This approach, combined with the affordability for our students and our pursuit of creating societal impact in the community as a public institution, has been recognized in our MBA program being ranked as a top public option in the state.”

SUNY Oswego’s graduate online MBA programs are up almost 40% from last spring, said Kristen Eichhorn, dean of graduate studies.

“We attribute this growth to our program’s quality — people know that they will get the same quality of experience and with the same quality faculty as our well established face-toface programs,” Eichhorn said. “The public trusts our ability to deliver a quality program and they appreciate we can do this in a way that celebrates the culture of care that SUNY Oswego is known for.”

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HOW I GOT STARTED By Stefan Yablonski

HARRISON J. NOEL III

Owner of Good Guys Barber Shop in Fulton discusses investing $100,000 to start and grow his business

worked through it and this community has welcomed us beyond my belief.

Q: Do you have background in this line of work?

A: Yes. I have been a master barber since

2006. I attended barber school at Shear Ego International School with Maria Fustanio. I also studied under Bill Hoefer, a long-time Oswego barber and Tony Borsetti, a Long Island transplant, who owned a barbershop in Oswego.

Q: How much did it cost to get started?

A: About $100k.

Q: Did you have to buy or renovate your building?

A: Both. My business partner bought

the building and I renovated the space.

Q: How has your business grown?

A: We’ve grown a tremendous amount

since we opened in 2020. We were lucky enough to have a built-in customer base grown from our Oswego location. Since then, we have grown to service all area communities and have about doubled our business.

Q: Do you have a lot of repeat customers?

A: We have great retention and this is

definitely something that I pride myself in. It all starts with a great crew, which I feel blessed to have. I believe that any one of my guys will offer a great cut along with a good experience. Because of this, people keep coming back!

Q: How many employees do you have?

A: Eight: six barbers and two apprentices.

Q: What is your busiest “haircut season”?

A: “Haircut season” definitely is a thing.

The big ones are back-to-school and major holidays.

Q: What are some changes you’ve seen in the profession over the years? Has technology had an impact?

A: This profession has changed

Harrison J. Noel III has been barbering for about 17 years. He owns the Good Guys Barber Shop in Fulton, located at 501 S. Second St. (next to Fajita Grill on 481). His business partner, Keith Raymond, owns the shop in Oswego.

Q: How long have you been in business?

A: I opened this location July 1, 2020.

Right after the world shut down!

Q: Why did you decide to go into business?

A: I had been in business for myself at

different points throughout my career and have been affiliated with the Good Guys since its inception in 2014. I have always wanted to open a shop in my hometown and it seemed like the timing was right. Boy was I wrong! I had to open with all of these restrictions and mandates. Although it was difficult, we

20 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

dramatically, from the haircuts themselves to the tools we use. I believe that the internet and different social media platforms allow trends in hair and fashion to move very quickly.

People often get inspired by photos they see online. Due to this, however, the standard has been raised as have people’s expectations. It’s great for the trade and keeps us motivated.

Q: How hard was it to get the business on its feet?

A: Due to the pandemic, very tough. It

“

“

This community has welcomed us beyond my belief.

was more the uncertainty of opening.

I had been building out this space for a few months already when the world shut down.

Welcome to Oswego, New York

Where FamilyTION A TY Meets Community.

LOR

Wher e WATERFRONT EXP G BEAU Meets BREATHTAKIN

Q: Who has helped you along the way?

A: I’ve had so much help along the way.

My wife, Monica, has been my right hand during this whole process. She has dealt with many late nights and weekend mornings training my guys.

She even became a barber!

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Q: What is the best or worst part(s) of the job?

O S W E G O N Y.O RG A: I would say the best part of my job is

Be in the heart of it all with views of the water — Oswego River and Lake Ontario — shopping, dining, outdoor recreation including riverwalk trails at your front door.

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the relationships I’ve forged along the way. I’ve met some of my best friends and a lot of them have become more like family over the years.

TheYOU worst part of my job is probably THAN K TO THE FOLLOWING the longFOR days. It’s harder work than USE OF PHOTOS IN THIS you’d think and then to be away from BROCHURE: my family, it’s tough.

Oswego County Tourism Office

Entertainment

Q: What is your business philosophy?

A: My philosophy has always been if

The Oswego area Bolsters a wide vareity of events yearround from: Festivals, World-Class Fishing, Movie Theater & A Drive in Theater, Several Music & Performing Arts Groups, Races & Derbies, Museums & Historical Sites, Bustling night life and Accommodations available in walking distance to attractions. There is something for every individual and family to choose from.

you put out a good product and create a good atmosphere, you’ll be successful.

Where UR Meets EXCEP

Q: Speaking of trends, do people still get buzzcuts?

A: All this being said, there are plenty

Expanding Community

of traditional haircuts that will never go out. And we definitely do a lot of those!

Our community here in Oswego is always expanding.

Creating new activities for you and your family. Places for business to grow and thrive. Elected officals that push for clean streets, and better quality of life for its citizens and visitors.

Q: How do you stay current on all of this?

A: Every year, I take all of my guys to

the largest barber convention on the east coast, the CT Barber Expo. It’s events like these where we are able to continue our education and current hair trends.

A Year-Round Destination of Fun!

Q: If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?

A: I honestly don’t know. It’s all I’ve

ever done. I did want to be a journalist when I was a kid and studied English at Brockport for a short time before I really found my place in barbering.

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FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS

21

PROFILE By Stefan Yablonski

RACHEL PIERCE

Director of employment and training now in charge of Workforce Development Board of Oswego County

R

achel Pierce became the director of employment and training for Oswego County Department of Social Services in May 2020 — “at the height of the pandemic.”

“In July 2022, I added the role of executive director of the Workforce Development Board of Oswego County,” she said.

Prior to employment with the county, she worked with the New York State Department of Labor as a labor services representative at Oswego County Workforce New York, OCWNY, assisting unemployment insurance recipients.

“I was born and raised in Fulton,” she said. “I attended LeMoyne College in Syracuse for my Bachelor of Arts in history and returned home to attend SUNY Oswego for my Master of Arts in American history.”

She later earned her MBA from SUNY Oswego as well.

“My husband, a fellow Fultonian, and I have decided to plant our roots and raise our two girls — Kara and Elise 4 and 5 years old — in Fulton as well. We love our community and want to see it flourish into the future,” she said.

Her husband, Troy, works for a company that’s doing contractor work at Novelis. They do wastewater treatment.

Learning experience “It’s a learning experience on a daily basis — relearning some of the basics in life that may have been taken for granted,” she said of her young daughters. “My younger one, she started preschool and she came home during the first week and she couldn’t believe that she had to raise her hand to talk. And, she also couldn’t believe that she had to keep her shoes on in school.

That was a new one — I didn’t think to explain that to her before she went. She felt comfortable and wanted her shoes off,” Pierce laughed.

As the director of employment and training, she oversees the Oswego County Workforce New York Career Center in Fulton and the Employment and Training Team and Career Center at the Department of Social Services in Mexico.

“I split my time — one day a week in Mexico. My main office is here at the Workforce Career Center in Fulton in the county building, where the DMV is, across from Mimi’s,” she said. “I pick and choose my days — I come from Fulton — it’s just Route 3 driving, so it isn’t too bad.”

“As executive director, I collaborate with our workforce system partners to build economic and workforce opportunities for local employers and job seekers under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act,” she said.

“I hope to establish a working environment that cultivates creativity and passion for the mem-

22 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

bers of our local community and the betterment of everyone,” she continued.

“I also want employees to feel heard and appreciated for the efforts they apply in assisting every person that walks through our doors, regardless of circumstance.”

She wants to continue to grow OCWNY’s presence in the community through outreach and participation in community events.

“OCWNY staff is phenomenal at sharing information about our services with local businesses to help them find a qualified workforce and community members in reaching their training and employment goals,” she said. “It is often said that we are the best kept secret in Oswego County; we need to continue to spread our story and the opportunities we can offer community residents.”

“I want to grow our presence within the community. There are a lot of people, a lot of businesses, who don’t know, maybe that we are here or even what the career center can offer,” she said.

“We can help with scholarships, we can help with recruitment, and we can help with wage reimbursement for new hires.

We put on individual job fairs and we put on our own job fairs where we set up with a lot of employers. There is so much we can do to help; the job seeker and the employer. We are trying to get that information out there even more.”

They recently partnered with Mentor Ambulance.

“We were able to help with funding of seven new EMTs. They were hired by Mentor — went through the training — they were being paid while they went through their training and all seven retained their employment with Mentor and earned their certification,” she said.

There are a lot of people who live in Oswego County that work in Onondaga County.

“The Micron project — that is always a topic of conversation. There is a lot that is going to come with that; but it is also knowing that Micron might pull from some of our local businesses.

We need to continue to support the

local businesses that we have here,” she added.

That’s the best part of the job – helping people, she said.

“A drawback would be working within all the government regulations.

The ever-changing government regulations. You have got to stay on your toes,” she said. “I work within federal, state and local. It makes it interesting.”

Dogs or cats?

“That’s an interesting question. I would consider myself a dog person.

But we used to have two cats that we actually lost this past year. We’re going to possibly get a puppy in the future.

My girls want a puppy — so, my only request is it be a nonshedding dog,” she said with a smile.

An avid reader, she said she likes to spend time with family and friends, and also enjoys playing with her young daughters “and rediscovering the world through their eyes.”

“I also teach pilates and dance fitness classes at my local gym, (a certain one in Fulton), and supporting other women on their wellness journeys,” she said.

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Lifelines Name: Rachel Pierce Position: Oswego County Director of Employment & Training / Executive Director of the Workforce Development Board of Oswego County Birth Date: September 1987 Birth Place: Fulton Residence: Fulton Education: Bachelor’s degree in history, LeMoyne College; master’s degree in American history, SUNY Oswego; MBA, SUNY Oswego Affiliations: Member of Integrated Community Planning, Inc. board of directors; P-TECH governance committee; Oswego County Early Childhood Alliance; Early College High School steering committee; Oswego County Transportation, advisory committee Family: Husband, Troy; daughters, Kara (5) and Elise (4) Hobbies: Pilates, exercising, dancing, reading, quality family time!

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Where in the World is Sandra Scott?

OSTIA ANTICA, ITALY

A place near Rome is the best example of what an ancient Roman city looked like

A typical street in Ostia Antica. Visitors can walk the cobbled road lined by rows of trees and remains of historical buildings and shops.

T

here are so many great places to visit in Italy, it is impossible to see everything. During the summer Rome is crowded with tourists and the city can be blistering hot so a good option is to do what the Italians do — go to the beach.

Ostia, or more correctly, Lido di Ostia, is technically a neighborhood of Rome but it is about 20 miles from the center of Rome. There are two reasons to visit Ostia. One is to get away from the heat and to enjoy the long beach on the Tyrrhenian Sea. The other reason

is to explore a major archeological site known at Ostia Antica a short distance away.

Lesser known compared to Pompeii, Ostia Antica is less crowded than Pompeii and just as interesting.

Ostia Antica was an ancient seaport that dates back to 620 BC. It was once a port at the mouth of the Tiber River and on the Tyrrhenian Sea at a time when the Romans controlled the Mediterranean Sea. It was a bustling international shipping port. The salt from the nearby

24 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

salt flats was just one of the important items as it was needed to preserve meat.

Ostia Antica was visited by people from all over the world. The city flourished and had a population of about 100,000 at its height.

Even though a fort was built to protect the city from repeated invasions and sackings by pirates along with the fall of Rome Empire, Ostia Antica faced decline and was finally abandoned in the 9th century. Over the years the harbor silted up, which in retrospect was

Archaeological Roman site landscape in Ostia Antica, near Rome.

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS

25

Beach at Ostia Antica. Many Romans enjoy the long beach on the Tyrrhenian Sea during the summer.

fortunate because it preserved many of the buildings. The sea is now several miles away. It is the best example of what an ancient Roman city looked like.

Visitors can walk the cobbled road lined by rows of trees and remains of historical buildings and shops. It resembled many towns and cities along the famed Appian Way. It is the same road trod by Caesars, saints, sailors, traders and visitors from as far away as Egypt and Persia.

Not to miss is the city’s impressive theater. Built at the end of the first century BC and later expanded, it is one of the oldest masonry theaters in the world. It could accommodate 4,000

spectators. Find a place to sit, enjoy the view and most likely something will happen – a professor may be lecturing his students, a tour guide may be giving detailed information on the site, or maybe a choral group will decide it’s time to practice.

One building was once a restaurant and another was an apartment house from the days when the streets were busy with everyday Romans. Possibly the best part is just wandering around, exploring and trying to imagine life centuries ago. The antique toilets are interesting. It is where the Romans went to “do their business.”

Ostia Antica is connected to Rome

26 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

by train but those staying in Ostia di Lido can take the very short bus or train to Ostia Antica Station. From the station it is a short walk to the archeological site and the ticket kiosk. Entrance fee is about $12 and another $2 for a useful map.

Explore on your own or rent an audio guide. There is a cafeteria but it can get crowded. Consider bringing lunch or snacks.

With a U.S. passport valid for six months, Americans may enter Italy for up to 90 days without a visa. The currency of Italy is the Euro, ATMs are readily available and most major credit cards are accepted.

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Too Much Email Driving You Nuts?

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Y

ou may connect with others through texting, calls and social media.

But email is still a solid means of communicating with business clients, vendors, colleagues and the occasional Nigerian prince who needs your bank account number to share his millions.

The avalanche of daily emails tends to make people less productive as their devices ping with each new missive.

Keeping a manageable inbox relies upon adopting and sticking with an effective email policy. For Sherrill-based business consultant Lisa Eklund, that means prioritizing and responding.

For the emails that are important to her and require a response, she responds right away.

“I reply in a timely fashion even if I don’t have time to give them the details,” she said.

This helps minimize frustration of people who legitimately think they should receive a reply — non-Nigerian princes — and would feel ghosted if Eklund lets their message sit untouched.

She follows through later with the information the sender wants.

Other emails in her inbox, such as newsletters she has signed up for in the

past or sales pitches associated with previous purchases, can be deleted if she does not have time for them.

The key part of Eklund’s strategy is knowing what needs a prompt reply and what does not.

“So many of us confuse the seemingly urgent with the truly important,” said Anthony D’Angelo, professor of practice and director of the master’s program in communications management at Syracuse University. “Plus, email is just so darn easy. A reply can be nearly instantaneous, but also thoughtless and valueless.”

He recommends setting aside two to three designated blocks of time to check email and then remaining active in one’s work for the rest of the day.

Replying to every ding immediately detracts from productivity.

“Within your mailbox, you can also organize or scan your messages to see if the sender or subject line is truly important to you,” D’Angelo said. “If not, either file or delete it, and move on.”

Taking care to select but not open unwanted email from unknown sources can help prevent computer issues like hacking, viruses and phishing.

28 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

D’Angelo encourages businesspeople to avoid becoming part of the problem. To prevent yourself from clogging others’ inboxes, D’Angelo said that it’s important to know what topics are better suited as emails and what are not.

If an email is the way to go, use a helpful subject line to indicate any deadline or if no immediate response is warranted. Direct the email to the specific person within an organization or note the person’s title or department in the subject line if you don’t know the right person. In addition to crafting a polite message, make your message succinct. After the greeting, state why you’re emailing. Fill in any important details. Wrap it up with a call to action (what does the recipient need to do next? How should the person contact you next, if this is needed?), your thanks and your contact information.

“If a subject requires substantial discussion among a group, it may be most efficient and effective to schedule an in-person or Zoom meeting,” D’Angelo said. “If you need an immediate response to an issue, decide if you should place a phone call. If the subject matter is complex or sensitive, perhaps you should walk down the hall and ask for a private conversation. We’ve all seen occasions where a colleague emails us from an office or cubicle just a few feet away from us. At times we need to be reminded that face-to-face communication is typically more effective and appreciated.”

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NEWSMAKERS NEWS BRIEFS ON LOCAL BUSINESSES & BUSINESS PEOPLE

Harrington Named Executive Director of Harborfest

Director of Corporate Marketing Appointed at Oswego Health

Dan Harrington is the new Oswego Harborfest executive director.

The lifelong resident of Oswego and a 48-year veteran of Novelis, where he works as an electrical engineer, began his duties as executive director in January.

He has served on Harrington t h e b o a rd of directors, dealing mainly with logistics. Along with his wife, Patty, they have been volunteering for more than 22 years.

An avid racing fan, he’s heavily involved with the Oswego Speedway, volunteering his time to assist with multiple mechanical and electrical upgrades. On Saturday nights in the summer, you can find him pitside as a long-time crew member for the Gosek Racing Team.

“I see Harborfest as an important Oswego community event. It brings people together to enjoy the free entertainment, children’s events, great food, a good sized midway and the best fireworks around by the Grucci family,” he said. “My wife and I look forward to the annual Harborfest event every year.

You couldn’t ask for a better place with events happening on the river, the lake and the Oswego parks.”

He said he realizes there are financial challenges in regards to continuing the Oswego celebration.

“To coordinate this festival is monumental and involves not only our dedicated staff and board of directors, but we depend upon the support of sponsors, businesses, municipalities, organizations and individual members.”

Oswego Health recently promoted long-time employee Jennifer Martin to director of corporate marketing strategy.

Marketing professional, Martin started at Oswego Health in Martin 2015 and for the past eight years has been the director of marketing and has assisted with the development of communication strategies for the organization and its affiliates. In addition, she was responsible for online reputation management and community engagement.

In this new role, Martin will lead the operational execution of marketing campaigns developed at the system level and oversee measurement and performance. She will be responsible for analyzing patient behavior and developing brand reputation across the health system as this is critical and central to a consumerism strategy aimed at differentiating Oswego Health in the marketplace.

“There is probably not a more deserving and suitable person for this role than Jenn,” said Senior Vice President of Communications and Chief Brand Officer Jamie Leszczynski. “She is one of the biggest advocates for the organization and an amazing champion for local healthcare. She continually demonstrates the ability to design effective communication strategies, and has such a skill for identifying marketing channels that meet the strategic needs of Oswego Health. I look forward to transforming local healthcare with her.”

Martin earned her Master of Sci-

30 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

ence in sports management in 2014 from Texas A&M University and her Bachelor of Science in 2001 from Louisiana State University. In addition, she recently completed an online credential program in strategic planning in healthcare offered by the Society for Health Care Strategy & Market Development (SHSMD).

MACNY Has New Marketing Manager MACNY, The Manufacturers Association recently welcomed Deb Tilton to its team as marketing and communications manager. She will support strategic marketing and communications Tilton initiatives for b o t h MACNY and Partners for Education & Business, Inc. (PEB). She will also work closely with MACNY’s workforce development team on its growing suite of offerings.

Tilton is an accomplished marketing professional with over 15 years of experience in graphic design, marketing management and brand strategy. Prior to joining MACNY, she was the lead brand strategist at LAUNCH where she focused on brand strategy, project management, client relations, creative writing and art direction.

She also spent 10 years at CGS, Inc. supplying design input during all stages of the development process for enriched media and electronic learning solutions.

Earlier in her career, Tilton worked as marketing manager for Morrisville Auxiliary Corp at Morrisville State College of New York, and as manager of creative services for WYNIT Distribution, Inc. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design from

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NEWSMAKERS SUNY Oswego. She is an active member of the community as a volunteer with the Women’s Fund of Central New York and the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women event and Women of Impact initiative.

Jennifer Kaljeskie Named AVP at Pathfinder Bank Pathfinder Bank has promoted Jennifer Kaljeskie to assistant vice president and branch manager of its Fulton branch.

Kaljeskie joined Path find er Bank in 2020 as the assisKaljeskie tant branch manager of the bank’s Central Square location. With her new role, Kaljeskie will be responsible for developing retail and commercial business and building relationships with the local community, while overseeing and managing the day to day operations of the branch.

“We are pleased to acknowledge Jen with this promotion,” said Robert Butkowski, first vice president of branch administration and operations.

“With her strong leadership skills and industry knowledge, we believe that she will continue to be a tremendous asset to our organization and to the

Fulton community. We look forward to watching her grow in this role.”

Prior to joining Pathfinder Bank, Kaljeskie was employed by the YMCA of CNY as corporate wellness coordinator.

Kaljeskie is an alumnus of the College of Saint Rose, and holds an associate of arts degree in business administration and finance.

Kaljeskie lives in Central Square with her husband, Jason, and their three children: L. J., Vincenzo and Gabriella.

In her spare time, she volunteers for both the Fulton Youth Hockey and the Syracuse Blazers Youth Hockey, and helps with fundraising efforts for Griffin’s Guardians Hockey Tournament.

Kaljeskie also enjoys teaching group exercise classes, nutrition, hockey and reading.

Historical Association Appoints Executive Director The board of directors of the Onondaga Historical Association (OHA) recently announced the appointment of Lisa Romano Moore as executive d i r e c t o r.

Moore succeeds Gregg Romano Tripoli, who retired in December. OHA is a private nonprofit

Industrial Park Renamed in Mike Treadwell’s Honor

32 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

educational association of heritage related services, museums, research and educational centers, and retail operations.

Before joining OHA, Moore was the vice president for development and executive director at the Onondaga Community College (OCC) Foundation from 2015-2019. Other prior roles include serving as vice president of development and marketing at the CNY Community Foundation, the director of development for Say Yes to Education – Syracuse, and a variety of advancement roles at Syracuse University, including assistant dean for advancement at the College of Arts and Sciences.

Moore has been a board member for the American Lung Association, the Central New York Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, The Women’s Fund of Central New York, On Point for College and the Mountain Goat Foundation. She is a current trustee of the Community Library of Dewitt and Jamesville as well as the Seward House Museum in her hometown of Auburn.

She is a Leadership Greater Syracuse alumna and has been recognized with the Central New York Business Journal’s 40 Under Forty and Women in Business awards. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from St. Bonaventure University.

“Lisa brings a wealth of nonprofit and leadership expertise to OHA, where she has served as director of development since February 2020,” said Board President James Stoddard, Jr. “Her strategic vision, collaborative skills, and dedication to OHA’s mission have been essential to OHA’s success over the past three years, making her the best choice to lead the organization into the future.”

O

fficials at Operation Oswego County, Inc. recently renamed its Oswego County Industrial Park in the town of Schroeppel after its former executive director. The park is now known as the L. Michael Treadwell Oswego County Industrial Park. It’s home to 14 companies from the industrial, business and education sectors. With an additional 185 acres of land purchased adjacent to the industrial park little more than a year ago, the industrial park is well poised for continued growth, according to OOC officials.

Treadwell retired at the end of the year after leading the organization for nearly 40 years.

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NEWSMAKERS

Tom Greco Retires from Fulton Savings Bank Thomas Greco, a mortgage loan originator at Fulton Saving Bank, recently announced his re t i re m e n t after a career spanning over two decades. “ To m began his career here Greco in 1999,” said Julie Mazzoli, FSB senior vice president/lending compliance & CRA officer. “It’s hard to imagine Fulton Savings Bank without Tom. Through the years he has made homeownership a reality for hundreds of people in our community and fostered countless friendships with his warm rapport and customer service. Tom was also instrumental in assisting many small businesses in the bank’s market area with his experience

and expertise in commercial real estate financing. He’s been an outstanding performer on our team, and we wish him all the best in his retirement.”

His colleagues, mortgage loan originators Bob Chetney and Jennifer Whalen, will carry forward that same dedication and commitment, said Mazzoli. “They are an extremely successful team, and our current and future customers will continue to benefit from their professionalism and outstanding customer service. They know—and are committed to — the communities we serve.”

In addition to his duties at FSB, Greco has a rich history of community involvement. He has helped foster local economic development as a board member of Operation Oswego County, Inc., as well as a member of the Central NY Mortgage Bankers Association, Inc., the Greater Syracuse Association of Realtors, and the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce. He has also been active in youth recreational activities through the Fulton Kiwanis Club.

Fulton Savings Bank has offices in Fulton, Baldwinsville, Phoenix, Central Square, Brewerton, and Constantia with eleven ATMs throughout its service area and assets totaling more than $475 million and deposits totaling more than $315 million.

MACNY Appoints Workforce Development Specialist MACNY, The Manufacturers Association, recently welcomed Samantha Wessing to the team as a workforce development specialist. She will support MACNY’s N e w Yo r k State Manufacturers Intermediary ApprenticeWessing ship Program (NYSMIAP). She will play an integral role in maintaining relationships with new and existing companies participating in NYSMIAP, while also coordinating related instruction and on-the-job training for apprentices.

Wessing will also be actively engaged in workforce development initiatives supporting the expansion of the current apprenticeship program,

Habitat For Humanity Completes Work On Oswego Home

W

ith the help of volunteers, local companies and unions, and the sweat equity of future homeowners, Oswego County Habitat for Humanity, (OCHFH), recently completed renovations to a home at 21 Liberty St., for the Tunaley family in Oswego.

The renovations included new insulation, sheetrock, new kitchen cabinets and counters, a total remodeling of the bathroom, a back porch rebuild to meet current building code requirements, and more.

“Carpenter apprentices under the direction of CSEA Carpenter Instructor Peter Hathaway, completed the porch re-build,” said Samuel Raponi, OCHFH executive director. “But that was just the tip of volunteers and support we received. For example, Oswego Lowes volunteered to help with flooring and interior door installation, Pullens Plumbing and Heating retrofitted a new efficient hot water baseboard

Apprentices, under the direction of CSEA Carpenter Instructor Peter Hathaway, third from left, re-engineered and rebuilt the Oswego County Habitat for Humanity 21 Liberty St. home’s back porch to meet current building code requirements.

heating system and updated plumbing, Oswego U.S. Coast Guard members and a SUNY Oswego State student volunteered to build a French drain, and Ontario Home Improvements installed drywall. In addition, spray foam insulation was installed by Apex Insulation Co., and current and former OCHFH board members, as well as the future homeowner, lent their sweat equity to whatever needed to be done.

34 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

We are extremely grateful for all who contributed time, materials and talent to complete this project.“ Anyone interested in being considered for the home ownership program, who has questions, or would like to volunteer on a Habitat project should email Raponi at director@oswegohabitat.org. Additional information on the program is at www.oswegohabitat.org.

as well as new initiatives that support advancing opportunities for women in manufacturing.

Prior to joining MACNY, Wessing spent over five years at Cazenovia College where she progressed from assistant director of admissions to senior assistant director of admissions.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcasting and mass media, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology—both from SUNY Oswego.

Home&Business

125

ARISE Adds Staff to Its Leadership Team ARISE, a Syracuse-based nonprofit organization that provides services that promote the social, educational, economic and individual interest of people with disabilities, recently announced the hiring of new staff.

• Kristi McClusky has joined the organization’s executive leadership team as the director of quality improvement and corporate compliance. McC l u s k y brings a wealth of exMcClusky perience as the former director of quality assurance at Liberty Resources and LIFEPlan Care Coordination Organization. She is a graduate of Nazareth College of Rochester.

• Amy Ellingworth, CPA, has joined as executive leadership team as chief financial officer. She has worked in the nonprofit sector hospital and h e a l t h c a re industry for over 15 years, Ellingworth most recently at the Syracuse Community Health Center. She is a graduate of Binghamton University having earned a Bachelor of Science from its School of Management.

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FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS

35

DINING OUT RESTAURANT GUIDE By Christopher Malone Escargot in garlic sauce served at Blue Moon Grill, one of the few places in CNY to serve the delicacy.

36 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

BLUE MOON GRILL SHINES IN FULTON Food, atmosphere not to be eclipsed

B

lue Moon Grill, you caught me eating alone, with a deadline I take to heart, with my love out of town.

Call me lucky for going early and grabbing a seat at the bar in the Fulton restaurant. On a typical weekend night, the place has a tendency to fill up quick.

On the evening I went, there was also a large party reserving several tables.

People, parties trickled in steadily after 5 p.m.

Where Blue Moon Grill doesn’t stand out with huge, lavish signage — the sign on the brick wall faces South Second Street but feels tucked in a little bit — it has a cozy spot in Fulton’s Canal Landing plaza next to B&T Sports.

For regulars, depending on how

Seafood pasta bake features crab, shrimp and scallops. The white garlic sauce dresses the pasta and seafood.

frequently they go, Blue Moon Grill is at least an “everybody knows your face” place. Even for the restaurant’s virgins, such as myself, the friendliness experienced proves there’s no preferential treatment. My feet maybe took three steps down the long corridor to get to the barroom before I was greeted with a wave and a “How are you doing?” from my soon-to-be bartender and server Chrissy.

There aren’t too many places in Oswego and even in Central New York that serves escargot ($11.95). It was a no-brainer (to me) to kick the meal off with snails.

Sure, some of you reading this now are either on board or completely disinterested, and the latter is OK. For

those who haven’t had escargot, try it, especially if you enjoy clams, mussels, oysters, et al.

Escargot isn’t slimy. They won’t foam in your mouth, if that’s a fear.

They’re not gritty, overly chewy or salty; at least these weren’t. I think they have the same consistency as tortellini. And the garlic sauce they were sitting in just added to the whole eating experience.

There were plenty to share but there were only three pieces of crostini. Maybe Blue Moon Grill tailors the appetizer depending on how many people are in the party. That can be determined at a later date.

The other appetizer, which I dislike calling an appetizer, was the fried ravioli ($13) — a special of the day.

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS

37

TOP: Zuppa Toscana ($4 per cup, $4.75 per bowl). The light, white broth soup made with heavy cream was filled with sausage, kale, onion, and cubed chunks of potatoes.

BOTTOM: Fried ravioli in a garlic cheese sauce. I dislike calling it an appetizer.

when to stop eating a hearty bolognese pasta entrée; yet, I didn’t feel like stopping. Rest assured, there were plenty of leftovers.

There was also Blue Moon Grill’s seafood pasta bake ($21.95), which featured crab, shrimp and scallops. The pasta also came with three pieces of crostini. The white garlic sauce, also not watery, dressed the pasta and seafood.

The price of the entrée had me wondering whether the crab was imitation — it was. When picking through for pieces, they were slightly chewier, stringed and not flaky, and slightly saltier.

Before tip, the meal came to $82 and change, which included a draft beer ($6.50) and a 3% charge for using a credit card. The surcharge, as it was mentioned to me, was to offset incurred costs due to the current economy.

The overall experience at Blue Moon Grill was very enjoyable, considering the atmosphere, staff and food. I have to give compliments to Chrissy, who was an incredible host. And it was also a pleasure meeting new co-owner Mat Overton, who took over ownership this year with his wife, Stephanie. I wish them the best of luck with this hidden gem.

The ravioli, which sat in a garlic cheese sauce, weren’t deep-fried — just lightly. The seven-piece small plate would have been tougher to chew and their cheesy interior would have not been as delectable.

And the ravioli seasoning wasn’t overwhelming, nor was it salty, which leads me to express my appreciation for the lack of dependency on the salt.

It’s certain those tiny, opaque, coarse grains are used. It’s just not dumped in.

Another special of the day, the bolognese pasta ($18) came with a soup or salad, and I opted for the soup special, the zuppa Toscana ($4/cup,

$4.75 per bowl).

The light, white broth soup made with heavy cream was filled with sausage, kale, onion, and cubed chunks of potatoes. It’s a much lighter option than going the salad route and it’s a bit more flavorful.

The bolognese had a more traditional approach. Instead of standard red sauce with a variety of meat, there was a slight creaminess to the sauce. More often, I feel thick and hearty sauces are commonly served. But the creamy, lighter sauce wasn’t watery or runny by any means.

Normally, for me personally, I know

38 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

Blue Moon Grill 122 Cayuga St., Fulton 315-598-4770 bluemoongrill.com facebook.com blue.m.grill instagram.com/blue_moon_grill

Sunday and Monday: Closed Tuesday: 4 – 8 p.m.

Wednesday - Friday: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. (lunch), 4 – 8 p.m. (dinner) Saturday: 4 – 8 p.m.

Shineman Foundation Welcomes New Board Members

T

he Shineman Foundation recently welcomed two new board members, Linda Eagan and Micheal Stephens.

They replace Kathy Fenlon and Casey Raymond, who both served on the board since the inception of the foundation.

“The two new board Linda Eagan members know the greater Oswego community incredibly well and have a broad range of experience. The current Shineman board members are looking forward to working with them. We value the awareness and understanding they bring to support the mission of the Shineman Foundation,” said newly elected Shineman Board Chairwoman Margaret Barclay.

Eagan moved to Fulton in 1987 and worked in the human services field until her retirement in 2016. Her background covers many aspects of human services, from juvenile detention to teen pregnancy prevention.

“After moving around the country for close to 10 years, I was happy to call Oswego County my home.

This is a fabulous community with great opportunities, friends, neighbors, schools, Michael Stephens and businesses. But nothing compares to the positive impact I have seen in the last ten years thanks to the Shineman Foundation,” said Eagan.

Stephens began his medical career in 1997 in British Columbia and has clinical experience in emergency medicine, family medicine, hospice care, assisted living, and skilled nursing. He currently serves as the associate chief medical officer for Oswego Health and the medical director for Morningstar and the Gardens Assisted Living Facilities.

Stephens also provides care to patients at Oswego Family Physicians.

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FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS

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BUSINESS UPDATE

Thanks in part to a National Grid grant, Oswego developer Warren Shaw recently completed renovations to two downtown buildings — one at 161 W. First St., which was once occupied by Coffee Connection, and the other at 75 E. Bridge St., which once housed the 1850 House Restaurant And Antiques.

New Life to Old Buildings W

arren Shaw’s Creative Developments of Oswego Inc. awarded $50,000 in grants from National Grid renovate former 1850 House Restaurant and building previously used by Coffee Connection Creative Developments of Oswego Inc. was recently awarded $50,000 in economic development grants by National Grid to support its work on the

Oswego community development plan.

Warren Shaw, the Oswego developer, is rehabilitating two buildings on the Route 104 corridor thanks in part to grants from National Grid’s economic development program.

Creative Developments of Oswego recently completed work at 161 W. First St. on the river’s west bank. Construction in the building previously used by Coffee Connection began prior to the

40 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which stalled work due to labor shortages and skyrocketing supply costs. The builder completed a total renovation of this property, replacing all windows, plumbing, electrical, walls, floors and ceilings.

New HVAC systems were installed. The roof assembly was replaced as was the entire front façade. All three commercial spaces have been leased, two of which are occupied by new businesses.

“My goal has always been to restore underutilized, existing buildings that reflect the historical perspective of our community,” said Shaw, president of Creative Development of Oswego.

“Restoration is difficult at best and the whole COVID situation made this even more challenging. National Grid has been instrumental in their support of these projects as well as a pleasure

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Across the Oswego River is Creative Developments of Oswego’s other project at 75 E. Bridge St. The developer acquired the 6,000-square-foot former 1850 House Restaurant And Antiques, which has sat vacant for six years, and recreated the block: 3,600-square-feet is devoted to commercial space with the remainder for residential units.

Among the replacements installed were new soffits, building fascia, bricks and windows, while the dining and kitchen areas downstairs were restored with hopes of leasing the property as a restaurant.

Thriving Thriving Thriving Thriving together. together. together. together.

“Supporting the renewal of existing properties ignites economic and civic growth,” said Alberto Bianchetti, regional director of customer and community engagement for National Grid.

“Creative Developments’ work in the city of Oswego didn’t just restore buildDiversity and inclusion are reflected in our ings that will house new or growing Diversity and inclusion are reflected in our workforce, workplace, and Diversity and inclusionthat’s are reflected workforce, workplace, and workforce, and it’sproud a marketplace. It’s aworkplace, commitment part ofmarketplace. everythinginweour do. We’re businesses, it improves the aesthetics of Diversity of our and record and of the recognition received, including awards earned marketplace.

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We’re proud the neighborhood and gives the people of our of our record andour of the recognition we’ve received, including award We’re record andusof the recognition and theof recognition we’ve received, including awards earned Keyrecord knowsproud that of a diverse, inclusive culture helps provide better service to year after year. our clients as well strengthening the communities we earned serve.and year after year.

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Key knows that a diverse, inclusive culture helps us reason to be proud.” ourrecognition clients as well as strengthening the communities weawards serve. of our record and of the we’ve including earned we serve. our clients as well received, as strengthening the communities Each project was awarded $25,000 Key knows that a diverse, inclusive culture helps year after year. us provide better service to our clients as well as through National Grid’s Key Main Street knows that a diverse, inclusive culture helps us provide better service to All credit, loan and products are subject to collateral and/or cred strengthening the communities weleasing serve.

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Ship coming into port passes the West Pierhead Lighthouse with wind turbine blades.

Port of Oswego Achieves Shipping Record

I

t was a record year in 2022 for the Port of Oswego Authority.

Shipping alone was up more than 300% compared to 2021, said William Scriber, executive director.

Recently, the port received the U.S. Department of Transportation designation as a USDOT Marine Highway, one of only 32 in the United States.

The port generated more than $2.8 million directly paid in wages and ben-

efits to local labor.

It received the prestigious Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway Pacesetter Award which recognizes U.S. Great Lakes ports for major increases in cargo shipping —for the third time in the past four years.

“We receive no state budget and no local tax revenue. We operate as a business and that means we contribute to the local economy,” Scriber said.

The port invested in both upgrading and expanding its capabilities in 2022.

Its $15 million Regional Agricultural Export Center expansion project provides CNY access to the world, Scriber said.

In 2022, the port was the first to ship grain out of the St. Lawrence Seaway and is New York’s only grain exporter by water on Lake Ontario. Grain shipments went to the Middle East and Europe and helped offset the disruption in the global supply chain by the war in Ukraine.

The port handled more than 300 wind turbine tower sections, blades and other components in 2022.

Scriber said, “We are the second largest importer of prime aluminum on the Great Lakes. In 2022, we received multiple shipments of aluminum slabs.

Each slab weighs more than 26 tons and we handled close to 500 of them.”

In 2022, a historic agreement was signed between the port and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deepen the port’s harbor, expand its capabilities to ignite new growth, and be accessible to Seawaymax container ships—the largest traveling the Great Lakes, Scriber said.

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SPECIAL REPORT

Uncertain Future for Smaller Colleges

An aerial photo of Cazenovia College in Madison County. It will close in May after nearly two centuries in business. Photo courtesy of Cazenovia College.

As Cazenovia College shuts down in the spring, other smaller Upstate New York colleges may follow suit, say experts

By Aaron Gifford

W

hile Central New York residents were stunned by Cazenovia College’s announcement that the school will shut down permanently in May, higher education experts say this closure is part of a larger trend impacting institutions across the country.

Cazenovia College, in Madison County, has 746 students, down from 990 a decade ago. The acceptance rate exceeds 70%, which means seven out of 10 applicants are accepted. The sticker price is $54,004, though the average net price per student is $18,413. The approximate $4.1 million in the school’s endowment is not nearly enough to pay the current debts.

Locally, the economic impact will be lost jobs, decreased sales tax revenues to local governments and a shrinking customer base for restaurants and shops that have long depended on business from college students and employees.

And while this closure also means one less college choice for future high school graduates in the Central New York area, there are signs of eventual problems among many other small private liberal arts colleges within a three-hour drive of Syracuse and Oswego County.

Hartwick College in Oneonta, for example, saw its student enrollment decline from 1,555 in 2012 to 1,170 in

44 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

the fall of 2021. The acceptance rate there is 96%, with only 11% of those accepted enrolling at the school and the graduation rate is 57%. The sticker price: $64,769, though the net price is $22,523, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

“The problem is, college is just too damn expensive,” said Robert Zemsky, a professor in the graduate school of education at University of Pennsylvania.

Zemsky co-authored “The College Stress Test,” a 2020 book that examines enrollment and financial issues that American colleges are facing. He said schools are adding too many new majors like video game design and adult education programs at a time when there are not enough students to put most colleges at full capacity. Another problem, he said, is that the richest schools keep getting richer, while most schools across the nation are getting smaller and poorer.

Zemsky’s University of Pennsylvania, for example, has about a $15

LEFT: Robert Zemsky, a professor in the graduate school of education at University of Pennsylvania, says: “The problem is, college is just too damn expensive.”

RIGHT: Jay Greene, a senior education research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, says: “[School] administrators aren’t selected for their business acumen and they aren’t very entrepreneurial.” billion endowment, according to the Data USA college and university profile website. Endowment funds usually consist of alumni donations and are typically more prominent in most selective private institutions (University of Pennsylvania’s acceptance rate is less than 9%), though state schools also have them. Endowments fund scholarships, salaries for professors and facility upgrades.

Scholarships funded by endowments reduce the high sticker prices.

Zemsky said it’s getting to the point where the poorer private schools are watching their endowments dwindle and “they just can’t discount the price anymore.”

For example, compare Cornell University and its neighbor, Ithaca College.

Cornell, the second-largest of the Ivy League schools with more than 25,000 students, boasts a 9% acceptance rate. With an endowment of about $6.8 billion, Cornell lists a sticker price of $80,287 per year, but the average net price is only $24,262, and students who come from households with incomes lower than $30,000 per year pay less than $2,000.

Ithaca College has about 5,200 students — down from about 6,700 in 2012 — with an endowment of $337 million. The acceptance rate is 78%. The sticker price is about $66,000, with the

average net price coming in at $36,327 — over 30% higher than Cornell’s. And the average net price for Ithaca College students from household incomes of less than $30,000 annually is about $20,000, according to NCES. NCES reports that the average cost per student at private colleges and universities has doubled in two decades, increasing from about $13,000 in 2002 to more than $26,000 in 2021. Meanwhile, total enrollment at U.S. colleges and universities decreased by about 9%, from 17.5 million students in 2009 to 15.9 million in 2020.

In New York state, the average price per student at private institutions is higher than the national average, at $26,016. By contrast, the average cost for students at State University of New York campuses increased from just less than $3,000 in 2002 to about $7,546 in 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Nationally, among the 5,573 U.S. colleges and universities, 85.2% of fulltime, first-semester students received some type of financial aid that would discount the sticker price, according to NCES. With the decreasing U.S. birth rate and a sharp drop in the number of foreign students studying in the United States who would otherwise pay the full sticker price at most schools, there

simply aren’t enough paying customers to go around for most of the 5,000-plus institutions.

Moreover, federal money that helped schools make ends meet is going to dry up as the nation is expected to make Medicare funding a higher priority with the aging population, according to Jay Greene, a senior education research fellow at the Heritage Foundation.

“The larger flagship public schools get federal research money, but there’s very little research activities at the smaller schools, public or private,” Greene said. “They’ve lowered the standards as far as they can go and one other way is to raise tuition, but eventually we’re running out of other people’s money. There’s too much competition for marginal students who are reluctant to take on debt.”

There are additional factors to consider: Enrollments and incomes impacted by COVID-19; the continual increase of part-time online learning by a population that in the past was based on residential colleges; and the New York State Excelsior program that provides free SUNY tuition to incomeeligible students, presumably taking significant business away from private schools that cannot offer as much aid.

According to the National Student Clearinghouse, 467 American colleges closed between July 2004 and June 2020.

That list includes public, private and for-profit colleges like the Utica School of Commerce, which shut its doors in 2016. The College of New Rochelle, a private school near New York City, closed in 2019 due to a bankruptcy involving more than $80 million in liabilities.

The National Student Clearinghouse also reported that between the fall of 2019 and the fall of 2021, the total number of college students in New York state decreased by 94,932, the second-largest drop in the nation behind California, with 247,132 fewer students in that two-year period.

Representatives from the Commission of Independent Colleges and Universities of New York declined to be interviewed for this story, but the agency did issue the following statement: “In regard to Cazenovia College, it was declining enrollment, exacerbated by the pandemic, that led to this closure.

It is unfortunate any time a college closes, particularly one with nearly two centuries of history, and we are grateful to the other New York colleges that have agreed to help Cazenovia’s students complete their degrees.

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS

45

“Statewide, enrollment in private, nonprofit colleges has declined over the past decade for a variety of reasons, including shifting demographics and the pandemic. New York’s public and private sectors of higher education form an ecosystem that educates 1.1 million college students annually. Both sectors are integral to this, and both are needed to ensure the state’s future success.”

Greene, the senior research fellow from Heritage Foundation, said the less elite small liberal arts colleges right now are the canaries in the coal mine that could shape recommendations and policies to help institutions stay afloat.

He predicts that, without significant changes, the non-flagship “directional” public colleges and universities would be the next wave of closures after the private schools. This list includes thousands of schools across the nation, such as Penn State Schuykill, Northwest Missouri State University, and the four-

year SUNY campuses.

“Schools never had any incentive to think ahead,” Greene said. “Administrators aren’t selected for their business acumen and they aren’t very entrepreneurial.”

Greene said even the colleges and universities that are the most financially strapped continue to be overstaffed and spend far too much on student services, including mental health counseling and entertainment.

Robert Zemsky, the professor at University of Pennsylvania and co-author of “The College Stress Test,” agrees that schools need to find a way to tighten the belt.

“There’s been a general dissatisfaction with the higher education for a long time now, but the schools still refuse to talk about what they can do to cut costs,” he said.

Zemsky recently embarked upon a nationwide study that examines

whether it’s possible for typical college students to complete bachelor’s degree programs in three years instead of four.

Greene encourages institutions to look at replacing expensive tenured professor positions with part-time adjunct instructors.

“Unfortunately,” Greene said, “tons of people are realizing the kind of training a bachelor’s degree provides is not connected to the skills jobs really require. It’s not worth going into debt for that. If a school is not academically selective, then it should be a lot cheaper.

For that kind of price — $200 grand over four years — your kid can start up a business instead.”

The total endowment for State University of New York systemwide is $3.66 billion.

University at Buffalo has the largest share of that amount, at $1.02 billion.

Colleges and Universities in CNY Cazenovia College Enrollment: 746 students Sticker Price: $54,004 per year Net Price (average price per student): $18,413 per year Admission Rate: 71% (14% of those admitted enrolled) Graduation Rate: 56% Endowment: $4.1 million

Hartwick College Enrollment: 1,170 students Sticker Price: $64,769 per year Net Price: $22,523 per year Admission Rate: 96% (11% of those admitted enrolled) Graduation Rate: 57% Endowment: $69.6 million

SUNY Oswego Enrollment: 7,058 students Sticker Price: $26,709 in state, $36,619 out of state (per year) Net Price: $15,078 Admission Rate: 80% (14% of those admitted enrolled) Graduation Rate: 66% Endowment: $43.2 million

Syracuse University Enrollment: 21,772 students Sticker Price: $77,896 per year Net Price: $43,545 per year Admission Rate: 59% (16% of those admitted enrolled) Graduation Rate: 82% Endowment: $1.39 billion

Hobart & William Smith College Enrollment: 1,684students Sticker Price: $78,650 Net Price: $34,239 Admission Rate: 67% (15% of those admitted enrolled) Graduation Rate: 73% Endowment: $205 million

Colgate University

Le Moyne College

Enrollment: 3,176 students Sticker Price: $80,160 per year Net Price: $24,500 per year Admission Rate: 17% (29% of those admitted enrolled) Graduation Rate: 90% Endowment: $959 million

Enrollment: 3,301 students Sticker Price: $54,060 per year Net Price: $24,618 per year Admission Rate: 73% (11% of those accepted enrolled) Graduation Rate: 76% Endowment: $189 million

SUNY Morrisville

Onondaga Community College

Enrollment: 1,957 students Sticker Price: $25,571 in state, $35,481 out of state (per year) Net Price: $17,524 per year Admission Rate: 81% (19% of those admitted enrolled) Graduation Rate: 38% Endowment: $2.6 million

46 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

Enrollment: 7,687 students Sticker Price: $17,260 in-state, $22,350 out of state (per year) Net Price: $5,894 per year Admission Rate: Open Admission Policy Graduation Rate: 23% Endowment: $11.3 million

Cayuga Community College

Cornell University

Utica University

Enrollment: 1,693 students Sticker Price: $19,592 in-state; $24,584 out of state (per year) Net Price: $5,495 per year Admission Rate: Open Admission Policy Graduation Rate: 55% Endowment: $15.1 million

Enrollment: 25,582 students Sticker Price: $80,287 per year Net Price: $24,262 per year Admission Rate: 9% (64% of those accepted enrolled) Graduation Rate: 94% Endowment: $6.8 billion

Enrollment: 4,242 students Sticker Price: $39,443 per year Net Price: $22,335 per year Admission Rate: 89% (16% of those accepted enrolled) Graduation Rate: 60% Endowment: $27.1 million

Wells College

Ithaca College

Enrollment: 342 students Sticker Price: $49,100 per year Net Price: $19,963 per year Admission Rate: 68% (9% of those accepted enrolled) Graduation Rate: 55% Endowment: $27.5 million

Enrollment: 5,239 students Sticker Price: $65,609 per year Net Price: $36,327 per year Admission Rate: 78% (11% of those accepted enrolled) Graduation Rate: 77% Endowment: $337 million

State University of New York at Cortland

Hamilton College

Enrollment: 6,658 students Sticker Price: $26,150 in-state, $36,060 out of state (per year) Net Price: $17,303 per year Admission Rate: 60% (18% of those accepted enrolled) Graduation Rate: 65% Endowment: $43.5 million

Enrollment: 2,055 students Sticker Price: $76,300 per year Net Price: $26,803 per year Admission Rate: 14% (40% of those accepted enrolled) Graduation Rate: 92% Endowment: $1.02 billion

Sources – National Center for Education Statistics; and Data USA college profiles.

Enrollment consists of full-time and

part-time students. Enrollment, admission, sticker price, and net price figures are based on the Fall 2021 semester. Endowment figures are for the 2020 calendar year.

Mohawk Valley Community College Enrollment: 5,347 students Sticker Price: $20,864 per year Net Price: $8,056 per year Admission Rate: Open admission policy Graduation Rate: 34% Endowment: No amount shown

SUNY Polytechnic Institute Enrollment: 2,852 students Sticker Price: $25,352 in state, $36,112 out of state (per year) Net Price: $10,245 annually Admission Rate: 77% (15% of those admitted enrolled) Graduation Rate: 65% Endowment: $6.07 million

Graduation rates are based on the period of 2015 until 2021.

Cost figures include tuition, student fees, and room and board (if applicable).

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS

47

SPECIAL REPORT

The Honey Dewdrops performed in Oswego last year.

Arts and Events Rebound in CNY

Sector re-emerging from pandemic period

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

F

or more than two years, performing arts venues and events spaces have struggled with shutdowns, shifting restrictions, personnel illnesses and shortages, rising costs and a public leery of going to in-person events. A few area venues have shared how things are going and what’s in store for 2023.

At CNY Arts in Syracuse, recovery in the industry is slow but steady, according to Alexander Korman, director of communications and marketing, “thanks in large part to support from local, state, and federal funding programs,” he said.

He added that these include a $1.25 million grant from the city of Syracuse administered by CNY Arts to support recovery for individual artists and art-service organizations, generate tax revenue and create meaningful employment in the sector. Funds were

derived from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. In addition, Onondaga County ramped up its budget allocation for CNY Arts to $1.5 million, most of which the organization plans to provide as grants to regional agencies through a competitive panel review.

New York state has provided $300,000 to promote the region as an arts and culture destination. Korman hopes this will “help drive tourist traffic, and increase activity in peripheral industries like hospitality, particularly during major holidays in 2023.”

Numbers are up at CNY Arts. In December 2022, the organization hosted is first live performance since 2019. More than 2,000 people attended the matinee at the OnCenter.

Korman noted this as one of numerous in-person events at many arts and

48 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

arts education venues across the region.

At Oswego Music Hall in Oswego, “things are going pretty well,” said Ellen Wahl, president. “We did pretty well at the beginning of last year and last fall, things took a downfall.”

Since then, participation has picked up again. Wahl attributes some of the fluctuation to the uncertainty of one of the Music Hall’s largest market segments: older adults. This population was disproportionately affected by the pandemic and may still feel wary of attending public events.

“The lesson to us is to develop a new market,” Wahl said.

One way the Music Hall is doing this is through open mic nights, hosting events showcasing emerging artists and tweaking marketing to include more than print, since younger generations tend to seek information online more than through print.

In the last year and a half, the Music Hall has operated its guest curator program, which allows artists to propose an event that the Music Hall supports.

Seed money from the New York State Council on the Arts has helped. One example is the Jazz by the Lake series, run

by David Casper. He has run a similar

program Jazz in the Burbs in Syracuse.

“He already had a track record and there’s a strong jazz proponent in the area,” Wahl said.

The dozen or so guest curator programs helped Wahl see what people want and network to make connections that can foster further collaboration.

“I’m especially excited for what’s coming up,” Wahl said. “COVID’s done a number on all of us. Maybe all of us can help each other by reaching out.”

Event space Harbour Hall in Oswego definitely saw a lull in business during the worst of the pandemic.

Owner Brian Parkhurst said that the cleared-out calendar “was a huge hit” to the business’ income.

But Harbour Hall has been refilling the calendar with weddings, baby and bridal showers, and other events.

Partnering with Canale’s Restaurant for catering has helped ramp up the number of events.

“Nick [Canale] is coming up with awesome meal ideas as well as a variety of services,” Parkhurst said of the owner of the Oswego-based restaurant.

“This year, we put in a live performance stage, so that’s available. We’re hoping to have more public events that we host. We want to get some community support with getting people out and doing things again.

“Additionally, we have our new coffee shop opening up downstairs, Prohibition Coffee House.”

By meeting the need for private event space and offering public events, Parkhurst hopes to expand Harbour Hall’s reach.

Syracuse Stage has faced numerous challenges as Jill Anderson, managing director, has dealt with shut-downs, covid restrictions, audience hesitation and cast and staff illnesses. She acknowledged gratitude for relief funding from the government. That helped Syracuse Stage through the worst of the pandemic. Now it’s up to management to figure out ways to continue the organization’s recovery.

“I still think we’ll be one of the last sectors to fully recover,” Anderson said. “A few reasons for that is we can’t make the economics work the way a restaurant does it. We need 500 people sitting shoulder to shoulder at a time.

Some folks are still not comfortable.”

Unlike many other businesses, it’s difficult and costly to move staff around to cover for absences. For some shows, she has triple-cast roles to ensure if one or two actors becomes sick with COVID, an understudy can take over. But this

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CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Loren Barrigar performed at Oswego Music Hall Jan. 15, 2022;

is only cost-effective if the show sells out.

“People are out for 10 days if they get COVID,” Anderson said. “They can’t come back masked.”

For some shows, the costumes were designed with masks to solve that problem.

However, that doesn’t work with every sort of performance. “With The Little Mermaid,” costuming designed costumes to work for either men or women in case chorus members became sick.

“At the end of the day, fish are just fish,” Anderson quipped.

Shutting down a performance is too costly. Losing two and a half weeks of the holiday performance of “Mathilda” cost $300,000 in ticket revenue. Initially, Syracuse Stage offered options of donating ticket costs, refunds or exchanges. The administrative headache of so many choices proved it was not worth it. It’s easier

50 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

TOP: Ellen Wahl, president of Oswego Music Hall in Oswego, “Things are going pretty well,” she says.

BOTTOM: Syracuse Stage managing director Jill Anderson.

“I still think we’ll be one of the last sectors to fully recover,” she says.

to have shows that close early to offer every patron a refund.

To foster more interest in shows, Syracuse Stage is planning a mix of innovative performances, such as “Espejos; Clean,” a bilingual show featuring a Spanish-speaking woman and an English-speaking woman; and old favorites like “Our Town,” which will included as its lead Jim True-Frost, known for portraying Roland “Prez” Pryzbylewski on all five seasons of HBO’s The Wire.

Curtis Manor hosts up to 450 people for events in Oswego. Owner Anthony Pauldine took time during the pandemic to perform extensive renovation and expansion to the facility’s patio, tapping into public interest for more outdoor meeting and event space. Last year, he added a kitchen addition and has an executive chef on staff.

Curtis Manor has a full

liquor license as well.

“You don’t have to call out to cater an event,” Pauldine said.

On-site catering helps event planners who want additional assurance of food safety as well. He has also planning to add several hotel-style rooms furnished for guests of the wedding party.

Beyond these changes, Pauldine is planting 500 dwarf apple trees to join the current 1,000 trees on the grounds so he can host U-pick apple events among his other specialty events.

“We’re planning to host a wedding show onsite in late spring,” Pauldine said.

This makes sense since his site already hosts weddings and allows guests to envision their special day at Curtis Manor.

The New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse hosts events year-round. Although these shut down during the pandemic, they’ve been slowly increasing.

Since most events of this scale require many months of planning, it takes time for the events calendar to refill.

To help attract events to the site, the fairgrounds has several projects in the works, according to Alice Maggiore, associate director of public information for the fairgrounds, including a new permanent concessions facility, streetscape improvements to restaurant row and construction of a goat pavilion, a 2,500 square foot facility solar-powered with open air space.

“In 2024, we can look ford to new horse stables, sheep barn and wool center to replace the existing sheep barn,” Maggiore added. “The horse stables will be built to complement the existing ones.

We host horse shows almost weekly.

We expect it to open for the 2024 fair.”

She added that construction on a greenhouse and horticulture education center will start in 2024.

“It’s a destination in our area,” Maggiore said. “To many, the fair and fairgrounds are a gem in the community. People care about this place and it’s important to make investments to sustain it for future generations.”

Although many of the events at the fairgrounds are agriculture-related or leaning that way, such as horse shows, alpaca shows and lawn and garden expos, the fairgrounds also host clubs, car shows, bridal shows and many other types of events. Its central location, variety of building types and ample parking make it an easy choice for event planners.

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Bruce Frassinelli bfrassinelli@ptd.net

Everybody Lies on Their Resume, Right?

Employment resumes and the ‘Santos factor’

‘The truth is that lying on a resume happens a lot more than we might have thought. A survey several years ago found that about 80% of Americans have lied on their resumes, but just 21% were fired or disciplined after their falsehoods were discovered.’

N

ewly elected Republican U.S. Rep. George Santos from Nassau County says that everyone lies on their employment resumes.

Although he has the statistics to back up such a claim, he has taken resume lying to the extreme. Almost daily, there is a new disclosure that Santos did not do or achieve the things he claims when he sought votes from his constituents in 2022.

Beyond that, he has denied some embarrassing events in his background even with pictorial proof to the contrary, including his denial of dressing in drag for a Brazilian festival when he lived there years ago. This flies in the face of his anti-gay stance put forward in the election and beyond. He then tried to pass off the episode as the actions of an over-exuberant youngster.

The truth is that lying on a resume happens a lot more than we might have thought. A survey several years ago found that about 80% of Americans have lied on their resumes, but just 21% were fired or disciplined after their falsehoods were discovered.

BRUCE FRASSINELLI is the former publisher of The Palladium-Times. He served as a governor of the Rotary Club District 7150 (Central NY) from July 2001 to June 2002.

52 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

Little white lies on a resume might not seem consequential when a person is applying for a low-ranking position, but if a person blossoms into a top company executive, these so-called little white lies could come back to haunt them and, possibly, lead to dismissal.

As a publisher and editor of daily newspapers for 17 years of my 38-year career in journalism, I did my fair share of hiring (and some firing), and on a couple of those occasions the firings occurred because of falsified statements on resume that came to light after a reporter was on the job.

Knowing that hiring the right person is one of the primary duties to keeping an organization humming along, I was brutal in fact-checking resumes, but sometimes previous employers given as references would confirm only that the employee worked there and the years employed. This told me next to nothing, so I had to use other devices to confirm important information.

(I assure you they were all legal.)

Some employees would from time to time embellish their resumes as opposed to

My Turn

Instant Celebrity

Republican U.S. Rep. George Santos was an obscure politician until early this year, when The New York Times ran an investigative story showing how he had fabricated large portions of his resume. A quick search on the internet shows the quantity of images and stories have been devoted to him.

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flat-out lying. For example, the prospective employee might say he “attended” a certain university. This always was a red flag that he didn’t graduate, so I would want to know why.

Why does an employee want to leave his present job? I might get a vague answer that there were “differences of opinion” between him and his boss?

Here again, I tried to zero in on these socalled “differences.” In several of these instances, I ultimately found that the employee was told to resign or would be fired for policy violations and other internal or external issues.

Being a member of business groups in Oswego and other communities where I worked as an executive, I was amazed at the short shrift that some employers gave to verifying resumes or asking the tough questions to plug gaps on work history. They largely relied on their “gut” to make decisions.

Some admitted that on occasion they were seriously burned by this approach.

Getting back to Santos, he has refused to resign (as of mid February) and

tions stretched to the brink because of layoffs, staff reductions and economic constraints, this verification process has gone out the window in many small community papers. There is also the fear that tampering with a submitted political news release will bring calls of bias and favoritism resulting in the loss of more subscribers.

Now that Santos has been elected and seated, we might have expected the House party leadership to step in and say that such a discredited candidate is an embarrassment to his community, party, office and nation and needs to be at least censured, even removed.

But, no, this did not happen. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy says that since Santos was voted into office by his constituents, he deserves to remain in Congress despite the lies and fabrications he has committed. Santos was even appointed to serve on the House Small Business and the House Science, Space and Technology committees. Less than two weeks later, however, Santos stepped down from both committees,

There have been many high-profile resignations in the business world over misleading resume information. pledged to serve out his two-year term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

So who’s to blame that Santos’ blatant falsehoods on his resume and his statements were not discovered between the time that he announced his candidacy and his election last Nov. 8? Well, there is plenty of blame to go around.

I find it ironic that the leadership of the Nassau County Republican Party is now calling for Santos’ resignation when it should have been in the forefront of verifying candidates’ resumes and raising red flags about their veracity. The party’s chairman, James G. Cairo, has called for Santos’ resignation because his campaign was based on “deceit, lies and fabrication.” Santos flatly refuses to walk away.

It’s unrealistic to expect rankand-file voters to seriously question a candidate’s resume. They expect party leaders to do the heavy lifting on verification before endorsing a candidate. They expect the news media to verify news releases through their own investigations. With news organiza-

54 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

saying he did not want to be a “distraction.”

In a recent Newsday–Siena College poll of registered voters in Santos’ 3rd District, 78% said he should resign. This includes 89% of Democrats, 72% of independents and 71% of Republicans. Just 13% said he should remain in Congress.

Santos has been pilloried for making up parts of his resume that included his work record, family history and education. Santos admitted that he made up jobs he never had at two of Wall Street’s biggest financial firms — Goldman Sachs and Citigroup — college degrees he never earned and property he never owned.

That was just the start. There are so many other inconsistencies between what he has said publicly about his background or included in his official resume that turns out not to be true that they are too numerous to mention here.

Santos’ actions are so embarrassing that they were unmercifully satirized multiple times during this season’s opener of Saturday Night Live on Jan.

21. The whole world is laughing at him and not in a good way.

In addition, the U.S. Justice Department has asked the Federal Election Commission to hold off on any enforcement action against Santos as prosecutors conduct a parallel criminal probe.

This means that federal prosecutors are examining Santos’s campaign finances.

After being asked about all of Santos’ deceptions, the audacious McCarthy in a way defended Santos by saying that many others in Congress have done it, too.

There have been many high-profile resignations in the business world over this issue over the years. Fortune magazine compiled this list: • In May 2002, Sandra Baldwin, the first woman to be appointed the president and chairwoman of the U.S. Olympic Committee, resigned after admitting she lied about getting a doctorate.

• Radio Shack Chief Executive Officer David Edmondson resigned in 2006 after it was discovered that he lied about his academic credentials.

• In 2012, Yahoo Chief Executive Officer Scott Thompson resigned after failing to correct erroneous educational references.

• In 2014, Walmart’s chief spokesman David Tovar resigned after the retailer found a lie in his official biography.

In another controversial resignation, five days after he was hired as Notre Dame’s football coach in 2001, George O’Leary was forced to resign because he lied about a master’s degree in education from New York University that he never received.

Not everyone caught in a big lie loses his or her job. In late 2008, a board investigation revealed that James Peterson, CEO of Microsemi Corp., had not received his bachelor’s or master’s degrees from Brigham Young University as he claimed, but Microsemi felt that Peterson was too valuable of an asset to lose and kept him on where he still serves in this capacity today.

In repeating that many enhance their resumes, Santos insists that he is not a “fraud,” but the truth is that he is.

Many, including me, find it astounding that Santos made it all the way through the political process to become a member of Congress without the Republican leadership and the Democratic opposition sniffing out the many lies on his resume and in his statements.

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Michael C. Backus at the Fulton Medical Center Feb. 6. Photo by Chuck Wainwright.

56 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

COVER

USHERING A Bright Future FOR OSWEGO HEALTH New leader looks to build on 142-year-old legacy

O

swego Health is in a great position, according to Michael C. Backus. It has met the challenges facing health care across the board, he said.

“We’ve done that, I think, because of our ability to step in during the pandemic, lead on vaccines, lead on managing patient care — what we are focused on at the end of the day are quality outcomes. That’s a lot of what we’ve worked hard to accomplish,” he said. “That’s the vision I have going forward for Oswego Health.”

Backus joined Oswego Health staff as the chief operating officer and executive vice president. He worked alongside former president Michael Harlovic and other members of the senior leadership team to stabilize the health system.

“He joined Oswego Health in 2020, in the middle of the coronavirus issue,” said Ed Alberts, chairman of Oswego Health board. “This really gave us a chance to see Mike Backus operate.

We knew very, very quickly that this was going to be a great opportunity for Oswego Health.

“So, we as a board knew that Mike was the right choice. There are a few times in life when you come across a no-brainer. This falls into that category of no-brainer.”

Backus became president and CEO on Jan. 1, following Harlovic’s retirement.

The transition was positive. Harlovic and Backus had a seamless transition, the new CEO said. Eliminating as many barriers to health care as possible is a major focus of his.

“From the short time that he has been here, he is everything we expected he would be —and more! He’s done a phenomenal job. We couldn’t be more pleased,” Alberts added.

By Stefan Yablonsky Growth “There’s a lot of growth that is potentially going to happen in Central New York. I think Oswego Health is very well positioned in this community to step into those spaces and there’s certainly a lot of development in Fulton that people are going to see going forward,” he said. “We’re definitely seeing more patients than we ever have, especially in primary care. We’ll continue to expand that footprint. That’s the growth that I want for this health system.”

Supporting the staff Backus said his team wants to make sure that staff has the tools and the product at the end of the day to provide the level of care that the community wants.

“The pandemic has had an affect not only on our community as a whole but it has also had an affect on our workforce. We want to make sure that they have those support mechanisms in place — that’s a big part of my vision for this health care system,” Backus said. “As a good community member, we’re making sure that we are standing up for our community, our workforce; those people who live here and work for Oswego Health.”

“We want to make sure that they have the tools with the ability to build upon all the services that they provide; that they are able to take the time they need to collect themselves and be able to come back refreshed and ready to go and take care of our community,” he continued.

More than Oswego Hospital Oswego Health is 1,200 people or so strong.

“We’re a major employer in the community. We’re not just Oswego Hospital — even though the hospital is a very big sector of our core,” Backus said.

Besides the hospital, the system includes two senior facilities, The Manor at Seneca Hill and Springside at Seneca Hill.

It also operates Oswego Health Home Care as well as two outpatient centers, including the Fulton Medical Center, the Central Square Medical Center and other services.

Behavioral health — there’s such a big need right now, Backus said.

He pointed to Oswego Health’s Lakeview Center for Mental Health and Wellness as a prime example.

Since it opened in January 2021, it has served thousands of individuals on an outpatient basis.

“We were blessed at the end of the year last year to receive a charitable contribution from the Lobdell family of Pulaski. Those kinds of resources in the community are so important,” he said.

The Lobdell family donated $1 million to the facility, the single largest donation Oswego Health has ever received.

Being able to expand Oswego Health’s primary care footprint is paramount, according to Backus.

“Oswego, the entire community, really, has struggled to have those services available,” he said.

Because of the high demand for primary care services, in July of last year, Oswego Health expanded access to care by opening a third location in Oswego at 33 E. Schuyler St. Oswego Health has four additional primary care locations throughout Oswego County — two in Fulton and in Oswego.

“Some people have gone without a primary care doctor. Making sure people have those resources available so they can go and get those regular check-

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS

57

MAIN: Lakeview Center for Mental Health in Oswego has served 2,200 patients since it’s opening in January 2021. The facility is part of Oswego Health.

INSET: CEO Mike Backus walking the hospital hallways with physician Michael Alcasid.

ups; making sure they can get vaccines, making sure those support networks are available that’s a big focus for us,” he said. “We want to help people get care ahead of time so those more chronic diseases are better managed in real time.

I’m very, very proud of the efforts that Oswego Health has taken on.”

Employees recognized “We have always celebrated our employees. We had an award called the ‘I Care Award’ — a celebration where an employee is celebrated for a great job. It’s important for the community to know about the skilled caregivers that we have throughout the entire health care system,” he explained. “It’s not just the folks that you see, the surgeons, doctors — it’s the people behind the scenes that really do a lot of the blocking and tackling that are so very important to health care.

“Those are the people — dietary, housekeeping, physical therapists — they are all the ones that you don’t

always see as critical. But at the end of the day they are the people who really get the job done. And celebrating them with an award, it is so very important, so very impactful for our healthcare system. It creates the culture that we want to have, collaborative with our employees so they know how appreciated they are. Their work is vital.”

“We always focus on making sure that work-life balance is there for our workers. That is a challenge. The workforce has been impacted over the last several years in so many different ways,” Backus said. “I think we have made some really, really good decisions — making sure our wage structure is where it should be, making sure our recruiting tactics are where they should be … offering tuition assistance for those maybe looking to modify their work positions a little bit, looking for different skills or different career path and making sure that we are stepping into some of those spaces where we should be.”

“We have folks who come into our

58 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

health system in one place, but then they want to transfer somewhere else — we support them all the time,” he added.

“We have been very aggressive and very smart in terms of trying to figure out ways to build the workforce and create that collaboration with our team.”

Recruiting “We’re always trying to attract more registered nurses, LPNs, nurse’s assistants — we’re always out there trying to make sure we are an employer of choice. We’re always looking to add to our workforce,” he said. “Employees want to make sure that they have a good fit, want to make sure that their teammates are there to help them and also want to see support from directors and from everybody in the entire system.

That collaboration is so important to us.

We want to make sure that we support every aspect of our community. I think that’s one of the things where Oswego Health has done a really good job during the pandemic of stepping in where ap-

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In an effort to recognize the work of its staff, Oswego Health recently created the “I Care Award,” which celebrates employees’ performance. The team at the intensive care unit received such a recognition in January.

plicable and where appropriate.”

Keeping it local Backus said he believes Oswego Health will be able to maintain its independence and grow as an organization.

Just recently, Katie Toomey was elected to serve on the Healthcare Trustees of New York State’s board of governors for a three-year term.

She serves on the Oswego Health board of directors and the Oswego Health Foundation board.

“We’re very proud to have Katie as a member of our board of directors.

With her network, it really fits very well, she understands the challenges of healthcare right now across the entire continuum of care,” Backus said.

“Having her voice there on the New York state board of trustees is very helpful. As we continue to advocate for more resources through the state, she’s a great collaborative partner to have.”

As an independent, nonprofit hospital health system, Oswego Health is proud to be led by its volunteer board of directors — who each give their time and talents to support healthcare in the local community, Backus added.

“Katie, along with our other board members, plays a critical role in all our strategic decisions,” he said. “Taking her talents to the state level will emphasize the good work done by the tremendous caregivers at Oswego Health and help further our efforts to expand services throughout Central New York.”

Backus is working with the board of directors to build a strategic plan for the long-term future of Oswego Health.

Trends change and Backus believes patients are noticing “that bigger isn’t always better in healthcare.”

“We want to ensure healthcare continues here and decisions are made at the local level. I think you’ve seen the benefits of that. I really think that focus on local care, expanding those services

60 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

— especially primary care — will help continue that legacy that’s been here for 142 years. I want to make sure that we build on that going forward,” he continued. “It’s been our mission to remain independent. I think our outcomes over the last several years really speak to why. We’ve made really good decisions in real time. The pandemic required us to do that — we were able to scale it up — we have a talented leadership team here. We’re vested; we’re part of this community. We want to make sure that care remains local — locally led.

“And, I think that’s why the board has made those smart decisions, making sure that we are focused on expanding our resources and growing care, right here in our community. We need to celebrate that and build on that more. We are prepared for this time and continue to build toward the future.”

Oswego Hospital maternity team. The hospital ranks among the best hospitals for maternity care by U.S. News & World Report.

Mike Backus ON… Shortage of workers “I am immensely proud of Oswego Health’s efforts building career development pipelines for caregivers working in partnership with Cayuga Community College, Sean Broderick and the Fulton City School District, New Visions through CiTi BOCES, just to name a few. These programs have helped us demonstrate the opportunities in healthcare to local students who then can enter programs to learn nursing and other clinical skills. Marq Brown, vice president of human resources and chief people officer for Oswego Health, leads our recruiting and retention efforts building the next generation of caregivers for our community.”

Competition from largest health centers “I’m a competitive guy by nature and I believe Oswego Health is an emerging leader in healthcare in Central New York. We proved our ability to care for this community through the pandemic and continue to build upon those efforts. Coupled with that community support, I am noticing a trend of people who want to remain local for their care. Traveling to Syracuse or Rochester for a primary care visit or orthopedic consult isn’t easy and we’ve built a system at Oswego Health

that I think offers patients quality care in a convenient setting. Our focus on providing high quality, accessible, and affordable care makes us competitive with anyone.”

Trend forcing smaller hospitals to join larger systems “Trends change and I think patients are noticing that bigger isn’t always better in healthcare. Again, our focus is on high-quality, accessible and affordable care that is patient-centric.

That’s how we have provided care for this community for over 142 years as a sole, community hospital. Oswego Health made prudent, at times conservative, financial decisions and saved for tough times like healthcare is facing today. That’s allowed us to invest in our workforce to ensure patients have the skilled caregivers they need when they need them. We were able to make some of those real-time decisions because they were made locally, here at Oswego Health in consultation with our volunteer community board. We can adapt.

We can innovate. And we can pivot in real time. That’s how we cared for this community for the last 142 years and it’s how we’ll continue to care for this community.”

Oswego Health At a Glance 110 West Sixth St. Oswego, NY 13126 315-349-5511 www.oswegohealth.org President and Chief Executive Officer Michael C. Backus Medical Director or equivalent Duane Tull, MD Chief Financial Officer or equivalent Eric Campbell Chief Nursing Officer or equivalent Kathryn Pagliaroli Chief Branding Officer Jamie Leszczynski Number of Employees: 1,245 Licensed Physicians: 251 Number of Beds: 164 Inpatient Visits in 2021: 4,965 Outpatient Visits in 2021: 303,086 Visits to Emergency Department in 2021: 26,273 Number of Surgeries in 2021: 4,409 Source: 2023 CNY Healthcare Guide

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS

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Tim Nekritz nekritz@gmail.com

Crowdfunding Transforms Ways for Local Creatives to Find Support ‘The rise of crowdfunding platforms, such as Kickstarter, IndieGogo, GoFundMe, Patreon and the late PledgeMusic, has changed the game of funding projects’

TIM NEKRITZ is director of news and media for SUNY Oswego, where he spearheads telling the stories of the campus community.

Local authors, artists find a way to raise money online for their projects

T

hrough much of the modern pop culture era, if you wanted to record an album or undertake an ambitious artistic project, you either needed a) the support of a record company, publisher or wealthy patron or b) to scrape together the cash to do it yourself.

But the rise of crowdfunding platforms, such as Kickstarter, IndieGogo, GoFundMe, Patreon and the late PledgeMusic, changed the game and turned the beat around.

You don’t have to look far around Central New York to find folks who have turned this direction to transform artistic dreams into reality.

Platforms vary in use, duration and rules. For example, if you run a Kickstarter campaign trying to raise $5,000 to make a record, and you raise $4,999.99, Kickstarter won’t enable funding on the project. This encourages realistic goals and for participants to really hustle to fulfill their campaign.

Patreon has become increasingly popular with people who have ongoing work. Musicians might use Kickstarter for a record, but Patreon for year-over-year support where patrons get a variety of rewards and the satisfaction of allowing their favorite artists to focus on creative work.

Gina Holsopple — a musician, music teacher and owner of Gina Marie Music Studio in Oswego — has used Kickstarter and Patreon in these ways.

“I’ve seen a good deal of success, at least meeting the goals that I set for myself,” Holsopple said. “I used Kickstarter, which had a finite goal with a deadline. It was more work and higher stakes, but the pressure made me do the work. I’ve also done Patreon. Its ongoing nature makes it harder to sustain, but it was a fun way to engage with folks.”

62 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

Crowdfunding is far from a magic bullet, as it involves ongoing effort, especially if perks include new unreleased songs or other items per month or year.

“It does take a lot of work and energy to maintain the crowdfunding source and engage in a sufficient enough manner to make it lucrative,” Holsopple said. “When done correctly, I think it is a brilliant way for artists and audiences to engage. As an artist, I had to make sure that I was showing up fully and completely, which isn’t always easy especially for the longer-term crowdfunding platforms.”

But crowdfunding opportunities also allow artists to better know their fans and build communities.

“I was not expecting the lovely community feel that popped up around the crowdfunding moments,” Holsopple said.

“It is not just about asking for money, and also not just a way to give artists money,” she added. “The most successful crowdfunding stories are ones where a community is engaged, created and led by the artist to begin with, but then supported and fed by the entire community as it goes.

It becomes a living, breathing experience. I was new in my understanding both times I used crowdfunding platforms, but I loved the moments it created.”

Tim’s Notes

Crowdfunding music education Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers is a CNY singer, songwriter, teacher and performer who literally wrote a book on the craft, “The Complete Singer-Songwriter: A Troubadour’s Guide to Writing, Performing, Recording and Business.”

Rodgers has funded an album release through Kickstarter, but uses Patreon to offer music as well as guitar and songwriting

lessons on a subscription basis.

“Patreon members can download charts/notation for lessons, songs, interviews and other archive articles and more,” Rodgers said. “At certain membership tiers, they can also join live online workshops for guitarists and songwriters.”

Rodgers found promoting his crowdfunded efforts to have a learning curve.

“I’m much more of a content creator than a marketer! But people do find my Patreon through my music, books and articles, and the community has been growing steadily,” Rodgers said.

Time management and fulfilling commitments are also key.

“A major challenge of running a subscription-based service like Patreon is making sure you don’t overextend yourself — and commit to delivering more things each month than you have time and bandwidth for,” Rodgers said.

“You’ve got to be careful not to burn yourself out.”

Ultimately, Rodgers was pleased to see that, in a world where people can just go on Spotify instead of paying a dime for music, plenty of fans want to support their favorites in more tangible ways.

“While many people these days no doubt expect to access music for free, there really is a substantial group of music lovers who want to support artists in a direct and meaningful way,” Rodgers said. “Patreon offers a way to do so that is effective and truly a lifeline for many creators.”

Novel experiences Local novelist Jonathan Ashline has published two novels, “My Pocket of Fears” and “My Silent Cacophony,” by raising a combined total of more than $3,500 using Kickstarter. He will launch his third campaign this summer.

He also engages with several recurring subscribers in his monthly Patreon page.

“The primary perk for my supporters is a hand-signed copy of my latest book before anyone else can purchase it,” Ashline said. “Beginning in 2023, I’ll also offer hard enamel pins designs by my cover artist, Mikhael Benson.

Finally, I’ve provided the opportunity to have a character named after you or a loved one in my novel. It’s been a very popular reward tier in the past.”

The biggest challenge as an independent creator is the reason for crowdfunding – money. “It’s always a grind to keep funding your books,” Ashline said.

“The other difficulties involve wearing numerous hats when you’re independently published,” Ashline noted. “I’m in charge of the writing, commissioning artistic talent, promotion and marketing, and finally, distribution, with the help of a couple of brick-and-mortar stores in Oswego.

It’s a lot to juggle, especially when your true passion is solely for the writing.”

Like others, the connections gained with fans have been a valuable part of the experience.

“Beyond the intricacies of Kickstarter and Patreon, I’ve also learned more about my fans — what they want from me as an author and also how to best interact with them,” Ashline said.

“Direct sales allow a real connection between the author and the reader.”

Oswego artist Ron Throop has navigated these waters not for personal gain, but for a fundraiser for the Oswego Art Association.

“The success of the AAO Kirk Beason Gallery floor fundraiser was quite a surprise,” Throop said of the effort to honor the late board and exhibition committee member. “GoFundMe received over $1,000 in donations, and the local crowdsourcing via my exhibition of paintings received a little over $4,000.”

That success also involved selling 23 of Throop’s paintings of 20 copies of the book “The Pleasure at Being the Cause,” which also was the title of the exhibition, with proceeds supporting the organization and refinishing the floors of the new Kirk Beason Gallery in Oswego’s Fort Ontario Park. “I attribute the success as more of an example of local love for Kirk Beason and/or the Art Association, rather than popular desire for my artwork,” he said.

For Throop, that sense of community and modeling the importance of giving back were what made the crowdsourcing successful.

“I learned that it is a pleasure at being the cause for something greater than yourself,” he explained. “I’ve always known that art brings people together. This year I learned that I like being a working nothing who can make art be something more.”

Product launches Others have used crowdfunding on endeavors that support creatives.

Local entrepreneur and product manager Matt Cummins was part of a team that did so with Lume Cube, a portable lighting solution for photographers across all types of devices.

“We had an amazing amount of success and would not have been able to launch our product and business without our crowdfunding campaign,” Cummins said. “It not only provided the funding but it also gained us an early customer base that we were able to leverage to grow through word of mouth of the early crowdfunders.”

Lume Cube amassed more than $500,000 over the course of two campaigns, with 1,660 backing the initial campaign and 2,632 the second.

“If we did not deliver on the first campaign, which was the most challenging, we would have had no chance to launch #2,” he noted.

Cummins said supporters chose from perks including “Backer Pricing” discounts, special bundles and limited edition options, with the first two gaining the most traction.

“People enjoyed being the first to have the product before it was available on the market and enjoyed following along during the development — they felt like ‘insiders,’” he said. “One of the inherent ‘perks’ of being a backer is following along on the journey during the good times and the bad. I feel like people who want to back a project want that insight not just a perk or a discount.”

Cummins also noted specific challenges, such as underestimating the amount of funding required for a successful project and in how long product development and delivery would take.

But transparency and communication helped maintain support.

“We were late on delivery but we provided weekly updates, were honest and transparent about our challenges and ultimately fulfilled our promises,” Cummins said. “We knew if we could not deliver and honor our backers, we would have thousands of unhappy people and a bad reputation that would sink the project before we could move forward with our long-term goals. The bulk of backers were understanding as long as we communicated and were transparent.”

For the second Kickstarter project, “we were able to learn from our mistakes and had a much smoother delivery.

We had all our systems in place and had developed the product prior to launching the Kickstarter so there were no surprises with our factory,” he said.

Planning a campaign in advance is one piece of advice Cummins had, as the launch works best when most of the work is complete to better devote resources to the funding campaign, ongoing promotions and their backers.

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS

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Quiet Quitting Makes a Lot of Noise

By Bruce Frassinelli

Y

ou may have heard of the term in recent months called “quiet quitting.’’ Having grown up in a hard scrabble coal-mining community in Eastern Pennsylvania, my work ethic was forged by my parents who operated a corner grocery store for more than 35 years.

Although my father never sat me down and lectured me on the importance of goal-setting, hard work and perseverance, he embodied these characteristics by his actions and the results they produced.

I have been described as a “go-getter” with an incredibly strong work ethic. I suppose this is one of the prime reasons why I resent the term “quiet quitting,’’ because it represents the antithesis of my approach to my professions — communications and education.

I was always motivated to climb the corporate ladder, starting as a reporter, promoted to several editor positions before becoming my newspaper’s editor in chief, then general manager, and, finally, promoted to publisher, the equivalent of a CEO, of The Palladium-Times.

During this 25-year journey, the idea of “quiet quitting’’ or something like it was utterly nonsensical. Maybe back in the day it was called “just getting by’’ or something like that. Today, the concept of “quiet quitting’’ is being applauded by some, although employers find it absolutely maddening.

Well, I guess I have kept you in suspense long enough, because I suppose many of you have never heard of “quiet quitting’’ and are wondering what it is all about.

In a nutshell, “quiet quitting’’ refers to those employees who are at a job just for the paycheck and are not really emotionally or intellectually challenged. It’s basically about doing the bare minimum and showing little to no interest in going above and beyond.

A Pew Research project found that the main reasons for quiet quitting were low pay, lack of opportunities for advancement, feeling disrespected at work, lack of flexible hours, poor benefits and childcare issues.

Of course, many of these complaints have been around for a long time, but now they have been lumped under

64 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

this “quiet quitting’’ umbrella, and it has been catching on and spreading.

As you can imagine in this “do more with less’’ business atmosphere of today, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, impacts employees significantly. Employers, on the other hand, are, to say the least, no fans of “quiet quitting.’’

I checked with some business owners who have seen the proliferation of the “quiet quitting’’ movement, and I have spoken to employees who find themselves in what they described as dead-end jobs, and based on the comments from both sides, compiled this list of signs of “quiet quitting’’: • Overworked • Lack of effective communication and expectations between employee and employer • Employee cynicism about just about everything • Projects are neither finished on time nor does their quality meet expectations • Employees seem unconcerned and disengaged • Employers are micromanaging their employees and suffocating them in the process.

If you’re wondering whether employees who adopt “quiet quitting’ as their modus operandi can be fired, the bottom-line answer is “yes,’’ because employers in New York state still have wide latitude when it comes to dismissing employees with or without cause,

especially when an employer feels that an employee is not pulling his or her weight or is a disruption or distraction to his or her colleagues.

There are many employees who see “quiet quitting’’ as a way to restore balance to their lives, especially those who work long hours that are squeezing free and family time out of their lives. These employees also believe that taking this step back will prevent burnout.

Employers warn that embracing “quiet quitting’ techniques could harm their career in the short term and the company for which they are working in the long run.

I wonder whether “quiet quitting’’ is just a flash-in-the-pan fad or something more consequential. One notable statistic that says it’s catching on is the fact that our country’s workforce is less productive than it was a year ago. In fact, productivity is down 4.1% year-over-year, which represents the biggest decline since the fed started keeping statistics on the number nearly 75 years ago.

Economists believe that there are numerous factors contributing to the sharp decline in productivity, most notably burnout, frustration and boredom.

While not overly concerned at the moment, economists warn that if the concept proliferates, it would have a profound effect on our nation’s well-being.

Employees are in a way gambling that this cutback in effort might work in their favor given the fact that employers are still scrambling to fill openings and that they will be more tolerant, but there are signs that the efforts to curtail inflation is also causing companies to lay off workers or institute a hiring freeze until the economy improves.

When the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in 2020, nearly 20 million people were laid off in just weeks. It didn’t matter if they had a strong work ethic, good performance or loyalty to the company, but then things reversed, and layoffs and firings hit historic lows that sent employers scrambling to fill positions.

Employers were begging, borrowing or stealing employees wherever they could. Employees who remained on the job during this period where they were asked to do considerably more led to frustration and, in many cases, burnout, along with a new awareness of what some of their important considerations in life really are.

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FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS

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T O H BS JO Where Are the Hot jobs in CNY?

Some sectors that will see more employment are lodging and food services; healthcare and social assistance; transportation and warehousing; and professional and business services

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

S

ince the COVID-19 pandemic, the job market has experienced changes unprecedented in our lifetimes. But one thing that’s certain is that anyone who wants a job has plenty of opportunity to find one in Central New York.

Michelle Jevis, co-owner of CR Fletcher Temps and CR Fletcher Industrials in Syracuse, said that in both administrative roles and hands-on rolls, “there’s a shortage of talent in medical facilities, like medical technicians to

general business support.”

The pandemic only exacerbated the chronic shortage of workers in healthcare. Already, the industry was dealing with factors such as the youngest generation’s reduced interest in hands-on work, waves of retiring baby boomers and increased demand for healthcare by the aging population. The pandemic dealt an additional blow with even greater demand for healthcare workers of all types and a wave of workers

66 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

quitting the field.

For numerous years, the trades have struggled to fill roles. The emphasis on college education since Gen X came of age has pulled many students away from considering these jobs.

“We hear from employers on a regular basis that they are in need of electricians, mechanics and similar positions,” said Rachel Pierce, executive director of Workforce Development Board of Oswego County in Fulton.

One answer to this quandary has been introducing apprenticeship programs to provide paid work paired with free education.

“Apprenticeships are also being introduced in the IT and healthcare fields, along with vocational training for healthcare, transportation and various industry-specific certifications,” Pierce said.

Locally, trade positions are likely to increase exponentially as Micron begins operations in Clay. Randy Wolken president and CEO of the Manufacturers Association of Central New York, views the local outlook for the trades as exceptional. “Given the investments that have been committed to our region,

Michelle Jevis

Karen Knapik-Scalzo

Rachel Pierce

there will be thousands, potentially tens to fill these roles. and occupations, with the addition of of thousands of jobs. Micron is talking Karen Knapik-Scalzo, associate 9,500 nonfarm jobs from November about nearly half its employees being economist with the New York State 2021 through November 2022 — a 3.1% technicians, up to 5,000 technicians, just Department of Labor, said that the growth rate. at Micron, not the other 40,000 The unemployment rate jobs associated with suppliers. was only 2.5% in October 2022.

“Given the investments that have been It’s the largest investment in She foresees “strong job US in general.” growth” in numerous faccommitted to our region, there will be Production is slated for of the CNY economy, thousands, potentially tens of thousands of ets the first quarter of 2026. including lodging and food jobs. Micron is talking about nearly half its services; healthcare and social Wolken said that construction workers, electronic employees being technicians, up to 5,000 assistance; transportation and technicians, quality control, warehousing; and professiontechnicians, just at Micron.”

CNC machinists, mainteal and business services. nance mechanics, welders Like Wolken, she acRANDY WOLKEN, president and CEO of the Manufacturers and toolmakers are among the knowledged that the area has Association of Central New York openings Micron will need to a strong need for more confill. MACNY is working with struction and manufacturing high schools and vocational institutions job market is “very strong” for those workers and workers possessing skills to create programs that will help locals seeking employment in the Syracuse and experience in science, technology, get the skills and experience they need metropolitan area in most industries engineering and math.

Hot Jobs According to the New York Department of Labor, the jobs in demand and with the best median annual wage in CNY are currently:

Job Median Annual Wage in CNY

General and Operations Managers Business Teachers, Post-Secondary Middle School Teachers Secondary School Teachers Accountants and Auditors Executive Secretaries / Executive Administrative Assistants Sales Representatives First-Line Supervisors Of Office And Administrative Workers Educational, Guidance, School and Vocational Counselors

$101,285.88 $102,112.51 $88,355.65 $79,860.44 $79,572.57 $68,541.22 $64,382.62 $63,802.07 $61,933.65

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS

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SPECIAL REPORT

Yep, It’s 2023 and Women Are Still Making Less Advocates excited with salary transparency bill slated to go into effect in September this year

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

W

hen asked for an interview about gender wage equality, Anne Messenger quipped, “Give me a break; are we still doing this?” because the topic sounds so antiquated, like equality issues such as the right to vote or own property.

Messenger, a women-owned business advocate in Manlius, serves as the chapter chairwoman of the Women Presidents’ Organization in Syracuse.

The topic warrants attention, as women still making less money than their male counterpart of equal skill and experience, despite the federal Equal Pay Act of 1963.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, median weekly earnings for women were $912 or 83.1% of men’s earnings in 2021.

Although many employers in recent times have struggled to meet rising wages and other expenses, “there are a lot of organizations employing people who can control pay. The decision makers can make changes,” Messenger said.

“They can be intentional about those changes within their budget limits, of course.”

Messenger wants to see more women become outspoken about money at work. Instead of just settling and feeling

meek about whatever salary is offered, she wants women to research what their experience and education is worth.

Messenger expressed excitement for the salary transparency bill (legislation S.9427-A/A.10477) slated to go into effect in September this year. Anyone employing four or more will have to list salary ranges for all advertised openings and promotions.

“Equipped with the information, we need to go out and have a conversation and talk about the job, think about the job when it’s offered and then negotiate for a fair salary and compensation,” she said.

Care responsibility is one factor as to why women get less over the course of their careers. Only women have children. Women also provide the lion’s share of childrearing and elder care. For many women, these responsibilities take them out of the workforce for months to years at a time, making it difficult for them to achieve tenure-based raises. Messenger said that many women missed these opportunities during the worst of the pandemic because they had to stay home with caregiving duties. With greater acceptance of hybrid and work-from-home arrangements, Messenger hopes that

68 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

fewer working women will miss opportunities for advancement because of caregiving responsibilities.

Kishi Animashaun Ducre, associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion at SU, does not believe that caregiving roles entirely explain the wage discrepancy and said that “the patriarchy” is more to blame. Ducre is an associate professor of African American Studies at the College of Arts & Sciences at the university.

“There is no rational, economic reason for it except for gender inequity,” Ducre said. “Women of color make even less.”

She referenced Equal Pay Day is March 15, meaning that a woman would have to work one year, plus until March 15 the following year to equal the pay a man receives for one year’s work.

“The differences are starker when you think of Blacks and Latinas,” Ducre added. “For Black women, it’s Sept.

21 — and additional nine months. For Latinas, it’s Dec. 8.”

It may seem that the service industries, in which women predominate, may skew the numbers. However, Ducre said that even in fields where women work in greater numbers like nursing and education, men still make more.

Education may not matter as much.

In recent years, the percent of female graduates inched ahead of the percent of male graduates. Ducre said that despite this, men receive more pay.

“We like to think that if you go to school, you’ll make more, but even with a bachelor’s or master’s or doctorate, she in general will make less,” Ducre said. “The bottom line is we value men’s labor more than we value women’s labor. It’s not as easy as go to school and become credentialed. The inequality happens among all levels of education.

The gap is smaller among people who have postsecondary education but it’s still there.”

Women who work in more professional environments may also benefit from greater flexibility in hours and leave allowances, which can help with parenting and other caregiving responsibilities.

Women should be able to expect to receive the same pay anywhere they work. However, seeking women-owned companies may help reduce the pay gap. But Ducre warned that leadership can change.

Like Messenger, she promotes self-advocacy.

“If you’re doing some great work, ask for a raise,” she said. “Say, ‘There is a pattern of gender inequity. I want to do a salary review. Can you assure me I’m making the same as my male colleagues?’”

Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham, founder–president, Women TIES, LLC, Syracuse, supports equal pay for women by promoting the notion that “one way to level that playing field is to buy from women first and foremost to help them put money in their pockets,” she said. “I suggest more women have a feminist buying attitude and put their money any time they can in the hands, bank accounts, and PayPal accounts of women over men.”

She thinks that some people resist this line of thought because they believe that women are hired and paid equally as men.

Like Messenger and Ducre, she encourages women to know the payrate their education command and demand a fair rate, along with asking for raises they deserve.

“Women mustn’t shrink from the role of asking for what they are worth or what a counterpart is getting,” Higginbotham said. “It’s this mindset that also has to change to keep the pay equality issue moving forward.”

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ConnextCare also offers medical and mental health services at eight school-based health centers in five Oswego County school districts.

PROFOUND CHANGES EXPECTED IN CNY’S ECONOMY

Banker: Region to see growth in population, construction, housing sales

By Aaron Gifford

D

espite talk of a looming recession at the national level, local banking executives predict Central New York could witness profound changes in the months and years ahead.

Steve Gorczynski, Central New York Regional President of M&T Bank, predicts the Syracuse metropolitan area and outlying counties can expect significant gains in population, wages, housing sales and construction, manufacturing growth and various other positive economic indicators, much in part due to the Micron chip factory that is slated to break ground this spring.

The company will employ about 9,000 workers and the project could create upward of 50,000 jobs to include construction, supply chain and various ancillary positions.

“Central New York was always largely behind national trends,” he said. “Not anymore. There are dynamic changes in the future.”

Gorczynski was interviewed after the annual CenterState CEO Economic Forecast Breakfast event in Syracuse.

He was in attendance with the keynote speaker, Luke Tilley, chief economist for Wilmington Trust Investment Ad-

visors Inc. Tilley’s presentation focused largely on the national economic picture, while Gorczynski’s expertise is more centered around the local economy.

At the macro level, inflation and rising interest rates were the story of 2022. Typically, when the federal interest rate increases so rapidly, a recession is typical, Gorczynski explained. But, in this instance, that’s still difficult to determine. A mild recession with a “soft landing” is the latest prediction.

Other economic factors affecting the national picture include fluctuating

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS

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labor markets with so many baby boomers retiring and so many jobs across the country still unfilled; the push for more expensive renewable energy; and China’s actions, to include potential economic or military actions.

“You can’t underestimate the impact of China,” Gorczynski said.

According to information from Wilmington Trust’s 2023 Capital Markets Forecast, which Tilley presented at the event, the energy price spike in 2022, both at the gas pumps and for home heating, has been the most tangible inflationary force felt by consumers.

The report attributes that increase largely to the war in Ukraine. While Tilley believes “softening global economic growth” should keep oil prices reasonably contained, reduced reliance on hydrocarbons will likely come at a short-term inflationary cost.

The report also estimates that as of October 2022, the U.S. Labor Force was down more than three million workers compared to April 2020, and those 65 and older make up about one-third of that decline. In September 2022, more than 450,000 U.S. residents who were eligible to work reportedly were not seeking jobs due to ongoing concerns about COVID-19.

The report also notes a “troubling population outlook,” indicated that the prime labor force population, those between 25 and 54, is slated to grow only 0.2% on average compared to the average rate of 1% from 1980 until 2021.

“Worker disengagement will likely wane as the economy slows, job postings fall, and workers lose some of their bargaining power,” the report said.

“Immigration is a wild card though, as it is highly sensitive to public policy. The longer-term disinflationary forces lie in demographics; namely, the aging and growth slowdown of the U.S. population. That is likely to weigh on aggregate spending, which in turn weighs on growth and inflation, in the way that similar demographic trajectories have weighed on Japan and much of Europe in recent decades.”

Regarding China, the report says that nation’s zero-COVID-19 policy and relationship with Taiwan will be important drivers of near-term inflation.

It also forecasts an increased reliance on domestic consumption (as opposed to playing the role of the low-cost manufacturer to the world) and elevated living standards in China will result in higher inflationary pressure to the United States. Plus, China’s reorienting of supply chains is expected to further

Steve Gorczynski, Central New York regional president of M&T Bank, says: “We will get over the hump.”

contribute to structurally higher global inflation.

According to the report, the labor dynamics in this post-COVID-19 era could create a scenario where the economy holds up better than corporate profits. This could also mean that 2023 brings an “earnings recession” without an economic recession as businesses still struggle to find qualified workers.

Months of working short-staffed and scouring the market for job candidates could make companies reticent to let those workers go as demand slows, the report said; particularly if that slowdown is expected to be mild and last less than one year. This shifts the burden of a weaker economy from the labor market to corporate profit margins, which have come down from 2021’s all-time highs but remain historically elevated.

A decline in profit margins increases the risk of an earnings contraction, something that is rare outside of recessions but can occur, the report said.

Better Days Ahead for CNY Aside from those concerns, Central New York has its own outlook.

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Gorczynski said an immediate challenge to Central New York is an old and somewhat outdated housing stock. He predicts there will be a “huge” need for temporary housing when the Micron project breaks down and thinks northern Onondaga and southern Oswego counties will see large-scale subdivision projects.

The housing market across the region was fairly hot during the pandemic, but has since cooled. With a major population increase prices will go up again, but, Gorczynski cautioned, “affordable housing is important. We have to make sure the rest of the community isn’t left behind.”

Regardless of future development, manufacturing is still vibrant in Central New York right now to the point where it remains the No. 1 industry, Gorczynski said. He believes that trend will continue, largely due to innovations in automation and robotics.

“The technology is really incredible,” he said.

But small businesses are not faring quite as well following the events of COVID-19. Residents have noticed higher grocery bills, but the huge spike for food at restaurants is quite striking.

While $6 eggs are not uncommon at diners these days, Gorczynski said, customers might not fully grasp what is going on behind the scenes. Many eateries are still struggling with labor shortages and have scaled back hours and number of days per week they are open. Moreover, even some of the most esteemed establishments have closed because the next generation doesn’t want to take over the business.

Predicting a longer-term future for restaurants and retail is still a head scratcher, because economists can’t determine yet how much COVID-19 stimulus money has made its way back into circulation. Gorczynski added that people are emerging from the pandemic from “a lot of different places.” Some are still hesitant to be out in public much, some are mostly focused on caring for their aging parents and some are dedicated to saving money for their children’s education, among many other variables.

But all told, it does appear that there are better days ahead for Central New York.

“What’s ahead of us is so big…. this could be a larger event in U.S. history.

The entire region will benefit, and we will get over the hump,” Gorczynski said.

down. We should also see an increase in people back in the job market in late fall as well. If that happens as I believe it should, then we will see significant growth in our own businesses in Central New York as well as the greater United States. But opinions are cheap, and everyone has one, this is mine. I wish us all the very best of luck in 2023.”

Victoria Usherwood Gailinas Owner, iHeart Corp, Oswego.

“The real estate market is great in Central New York and we are expecting it to continue throughout 2023.”

Eric Pedrotti, Real estate associate broker, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CNY Realty, North Syracuse.

WHAT SMALL BUSINESSES EXPECT FOR 2023 Now that we’re several weeks into 2023, we asked a few CNY business leaders about their economic outlook for the year.

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

“If the first month of the year is any indication, people aren’t afraid to spend money. We’ve been fairly active and busy. If the first few weeks of the year are any predictor of the rest of the year, it looks like we’ll have a great year ahead of us.”

SCOTT MALCOTT, manager, Burke’s Home Centers, Fulton.

“I’m hoping it’s good for small businesses, but I feel like the way the economy is right now, it might not be so

good. I feel like — I hate to say it — it will decline a little bit.”

Jennifer Wakefield Baker, Cakes Galore & More, Oswego.

“I think we’re on the upswing, better than during COVID-19. Anything post-COVID-19 has to be better. We’re busier than we were pre-COVID-19 and doing really well. People realize they really, really missed travel and they want to see the world again. The pandemic actually helped us.”

Lynn Kistner Travel agent,Canalview Travel Service, Inc., Fulton.

“My feeling is that we will continue the current trend of a sluggish growth and high prices, through the fall of 2023.

At that time, unless other major conditions become apparent, we should see interest rates and home pricing coming

“I feel the next couple of months will be in a downturn. By spring, the local economy will be bustling. I’m very confident.”

DAVID HILL Owner, Oswego Quality Carpet, Oswego.

“KeyBank’s 2023 financial mobility survey reveals that the share of Americans facing financial challenges grew substantially over the last year to 55%, up from 37% in the year prior. A key finding that illustrates these challenges: fewer people (40%) feel certain they could come up with $2,000 in an emergency as compared with last year (51%).

Yet, even as Americans face challenges, the majority (85%) strongly desire to become more aware of their financial picture. The study explores the financial habits and attitudes of more than 1,000 Americans — including those in the Northeast — and many young Americans feeling burnout due to the financial uncertainty over the past three years.”

Matthew Pitts Regional communications manager, KeyBank.

“A $56-billion New York state industry, tourism has rebounded after the pandemic, and regional travel and family tourism are poised to see an expansion in 2023 to 2024, including Central New York.”

David Granoff Executive director, DiscoverUpstateNY.com.

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“I believe it’s going to improve.

A lot of that is the excitement about what’s going on in the area with Micron, which won’t have a major impact for another couple of years.”

JOHN HENRY, owner Mitchell’s Speedway Press, Oswego

I think Micron is already impacting the community in a number of ways.

It’s impacting our regional psychology, changing it to one of hope and optimism.

Eighty-four percent of our respondents to a survey said the county will be better five years from now. There’s confidence that the economy will be better is new for Oswego County and Central New York.

People have a greater degree of confidence in making long-term investments.

Seventy-two percent of respondents expected to hire more people, despite recessionary pressures. We’re certainly seeing a lot of conversations about housing and housing development.

This takes a few years to come online.

It will take time to build housing we’ll need in 2026. We’re seeing a remarkable amount of housing planning. We’ve got a huge pipeline. We’re tracking more than 5,000 potential units of housing, up from 1,500 for a standard year. Those conversations are happening despite the cost of borrowing is as high as it’s been in 13 years. Some of those projects are just on the drawing board. There’s tremendous amount of activity. The other major trend is the labor market. It continues to be tight. Almost two million women nationwide haven’t returned to the workforce of the three million that haven’t returned to the workforce since COVID-19. That makes it tight from small to large businesses. There are real system issues there. Workforce development and education are more critical than they’ve ever been. We’re eager to partner with Workforce Oswego so employers can hire people to accommodate growth. I’m very bullish on 2023 for Oswego County. There’s a lot to be excited about. We’re seeing firsthand getting the fruits of the labor in the downtown revitalization and Fulton is on its way.”

Rob Simpson CEO, CenterState CEO.

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“The 2022 holiday buying season already showed that consumers are tightening their spending. The effects on their cost of living will affect their decisions on how soon they make major purchases, while they are constantly looking for the best deals on everyday staples like eggs, milk and gasoline. As Chirello Advertising enters its 27th year serving clients in Central New York, we see that the challenge for marketers will not only be to convince their prospects of the value of what they are offering, but also to show them affordability, return of investment and a path to success.”

Steve Chirello Owner, Chirello Advertising, Fulton.

“Hopefully, it will be good or at least better.”

Sean Honan Cooper Electric Company, Inc. Oswego.

“2020 got us down pretty hard. But we’re coming back. 2022 was one of my better years. I’m looking to make 2023 my best year.”

Eric Syrell Owner, Good Times of Oswego, Inc., Oswego.

“Businesswise our numbers are OK; revenue is where it should be. The lack of employees is my only issue. I believe it’s the same for the rest of the world. Every industry is short-handed.

The cost of goods, that’s clear across the country as well. The only way I’ve been combating that is watching my payroll to send people home early. That’s about all I can control.”

Denise Damiano Owner, Damiano’s Eatery, Mexico.

“2023 could be a challenging year for some businesses. With the pandemic shutdowns mostly over with, business adversely effected from the shutdowns should be poised to make a comeback.

As for the overall outlook, there are plenty of factors that need to be considered.

Inflation is affecting everyone. Rising prices are cutting into discretionary income and families are being forced to make tough decisions as to how they will be spending what money they have once the necessities are covered. The fear of a recession, combined with the rate of inflation we are experiencing, will make 2023 a challenging year for many businesses.”

John DeRousie Owner, Custom Marketing Solutions, Oswego.

“After all we’ve been through the last few years, with the economy and workforce, it’s all different. It’s hard to imagine if it will be worse or better. Everything is so up in the air and different from when I grew up as a baby boomer.

It’s absolutely uncertainty. The working mentality is not the same as it used to be. Now people are jumping job to job and not staying with one.”

Chris Fragael Office manager, Industrial Precision Products, Inc., Oswego.

“I’m hopeful it will be good, but I’m very worried about it. How prices of products continue to rise and the cost of everything continues to go up, up, up. It’s very difficult as a small business to keep on track. I’m hopeful things will even out and get better.”

“I think it’s a pretty good outlook. I’m in Oswego and the mayor is doing a pretty good job. We have a lot of new housing and new businesses coming in town. It looks like a bright future.

We have beautiful waterfront with Lake Ontario and the Oswego River and a lot of nice restaurants. I’ve lived here all my life. Obviously, I must like it or I wouldn’t still be here.”

Sandra Eby Owner, Blossom Yoga and Wellness, Oswego.

“We just went through a bike boom for the first time in 40 years. The last one was in the ‘70s. There was an extreme shortage of bikes and bike parts. We’re slowly getting inventory in. I expect the boom is slowing down. As far as sales, I think it will be a slump compared to the last two to three years but as for service, I expect an increase due to all the bikes bought in the last few years.

There’s massive inflation everywhere so it’s hard to say.”

Greg Mills Owner, Murdock’s Bicycles and Sports, Oswego.

KATHY HOTALING owner, Kathy’s Cakes & Specialty Treats, Fulton.

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Austin Wheelock ooc@oswegocounty.org

Oswego County is Poised for Growth

I ‘Operation Oswego County works to steward the growth of economic clusters for the benefit of the residents, businesses and visitors of 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.

n economic development, progress and success can be measured in a variety of ways. For individual projects, we often look at the capital investment a project will make and the number of jobs that will be created or retained and the new wages that will be generated. One factor that is not often addressed is the growth of business clusters and how these industries have synergies and more value to Oswego County and the Central New York region than the sum of their parts.

Operation Oswego County works to steward the growth of these clusters for the benefit of the residents, businesses and visitors of Oswego County.

Oswego County has unique assets that appeal to a wide variety of business sectors.

This includes plentiful and high-quality water, direct access to a deep water port, abundant productive agricultural land, proximity to world class outdoor recreation opportunities, an experienced workforce, and an educational system aligned with industry needs.

These assets, or strengths, become the basis for the development of promotional activities designed to attract and grow businesses that align with these assets.

Our existing businesses can also be an attraction for prospective businesses. Not only do they provide proof that a business sector can succeed here but they also offer a supply chain network for materials and services, and a well-developed labor pool and talent pipeline in collaboration with our workforce development partners.

It will come as no surprise that manufacturing is a very strong cluster and a target market for Oswego County, as well as tourism and agribusiness. Continued growth in each of these sectors, as we will detail in select projects below, highlights Oswego County’s continued progress and lays a great foundation for future growth as we head into 2023.

• In 2023 Felix Schoeller North America, a German-owned manufacturer of specialty paper in the town of Richland, will begin installing a new manufacturing line for the

76 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

production of siliconcoated release paper.

As part of the project, the company will renovate large portions of its existing 586,000-square-foot building that has been underutilized. This new product line is anticipated to create 30 additional jobs, with a total project investment of $24 million. Current employment on their existing converting lines will remain the same. This project will strengthen the company’s commitment to the Pulaski area and has potential for further future growth as the company moves into new products supporting growing industry sectors.

The expansion project is anticipated to be completed in 2024.

• Novelis, in the town of Scriba, has embarked on a major expansion project to expand capacity, modernize their facility for worker safety and to streamline their overall process. This $339 million project will retain approximately 1,119 jobs and allow the company to meet their sustainability and performance goals. The project includes the construction of two new buildings totaling approximately 26,000 square feet to allow them to increase hot mill capacity, a building expansion of approximately 47,000 square feet to increase future cold mill capacity, significant electrical and water infrastructure upgrades to meet current and future needs, site work and building renovations, product line improvements and new equipment throughout the facility. The construction and equipment installation components of the project are anticipated to be completed in 2024 and the infrastructure upgrades in 2025.

• Operation Oswego County, Inc. recently sold land at the L. Michael Treadwell Oswego County Industrial Park to Daldrop, a German-owned manufacturer of clean room systems and components. Daldrop will begin construction in 2023 to relocate its New York operations to the industrial park in Schroeppel. They plan to build a 50,000-sq-ft. manufacturing facility which will allow them to consolidate their existing engineering and design services with new manufacturing and distribution capacity to

Economic Trends

Daldrop, a German-owned manufacturer of clean room systems and components, recently bought land at the L. Michael Treadwell Oswego County Industrial Park in Schroeppel. It plans to consolidate its existing engineering and design services with new manufacturing and distribution capacity to supply their products to a global client base.

supply their products to a global client base. The total project cost is anticipated to be $6,250,000 and the project will support 10 existing jobs and create 20 new jobs. Daldrop primarily serves the pharmaceutical industry but with the recent announcement of Micron just a few miles down the road, there could be future potential to expand into supporting the semi-conductor industry.

• Six Acres Farm Brewery, winners of the 2021 Next Great Idea Oswego County Business Plan Competition, will complete the construction of its 5,000-sq.-ft. tasting room and event space in 2023.

This will provide them a permanent, year-round location in the town of Mexico to serve their locally sourced and brewed fruit-infused ales and other craft-brewed products developed by Jenna Behling and Denyel Busch. The $50,000 NGI prize has allowed them to more than triple their brewing capacity and move forward with plans to build the tasting room, which had a project cost of $250,000. This project will add to the growing agribusiness and craft brewing industry in Oswego County.

• The upcoming spring opening of

the Splash Indoor Water Park Resort, in the city of Oswego, will be a great tourism asset for the county. The project involved the construction and equipping of a new 16,000-square-foot addition to the Clarion Hotel & Suites Riverfront. The water park will feature slides, splash pads, a pool, and a 24-person hot tub.

Other amenities include an arcade, party rooms, food, and beverages. The multi-million-dollar project is expected to create dozens of several full- and part-time jobs. With other attractions like the Children’s Museum of Oswego and Breitbeck Park, the city of Oswego is establishing itself as a year-round destination for families to live, work, and play.

Across the county, key markets are growing through the expansion of existing businesses and the establishment of new companies. In the case of agribusiness, craft beverages are taking the sector in new and exciting directions. This growth strengthens Oswego County’s position in these target markets. More importantly, they provide jobs and a great quality of life for our community members.

‘Oswego County has unique assets that appeal to a wide variety of business sectors.

This includes plentiful and high-quality water, direct access to a deep water port, abundant productive agricultural land, proximity to world class outdoor recreation opportunities, an experienced workforce, and an educational system aligned with industry needs.’

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS

77

Micron project in Clay

ONONDAGA COUNTY

Economic future is bright and not just because of Micron

By Ken Sturtz

W

ashington Irving’s iconic “Rip Van Winkle” tells the story of a man who falls asleep for 20 years and awakens to find the world he knew dramatically changed.

OK, it might not have been 20 years, but if you’ve been asleep for six months, you’ll be surprised to discover that a semiconductor manufacturer by the name of Micron plans to build a massive new chip plant off of state Route 31 in Clay.

“The biggest thing for people to keep their eye on is the Micron project,” said Robert Simpson, president and CEO of CenterState CEO. “I think it’s a really exciting opportunity for the area.”

The semiconductor manufactur-

er’s announcement last fall that it was committing to spending $100 billion over two decades on constructing a massive new plant — highlighted in a triumphant visit by President Joe Biden — is a game-changer.

As exciting as the news has been for economic development officials and politicians who aggressively courted Micron, as well as every day Central New York residents, Micron’s plan, the largest private investment in state history, can seem somewhat far off in the distant future. But Simpson said to look for site work on the Micron project to begin later this year.

“Now that Micron has chosen Central New York, we anticipate supply

78 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

chain companies choosing to locate here as well,” Simpson said.

The companies supporting Micron will likely have a huge economic impact of their own.

As much as Micron is occupying the spotlight, Simpson said the pipeline of other economic development projects right now is as robust as he can remember in his two decades at the helm of CenterState CEO. He declined to discuss specific projects, but pointed to what he called traditional economic development projects, meaning companies that are already located in the region and are looking to grow or expand their operations here.

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“And that’s really exciting to see them thinking about making investments in Central New York with a little more certainty,” he said.

That’s especially true for the aerospace and defense industries, as well as tech startups, he said. And the service sector is again seeing growth in retail and hospitality, driven partially by population growth.

In addition to Micron and existing companies, Simpson said a growing number of other companies from outside of Central New York are considering moving to the area and one of the reasons is fairly surprising.

“Central New York is one of the most climate resilient places in the country,” Simpson said. “We’re finally starting to see business decision-making catch up to that reality.”

Despite larger concerns about climate change, he said research has shown that regions such as Central New York are more likely to benefit from population and business migration as a result of climate change. It’s hard for companies to ignore a place with plentiful supplies of energy and where the threat of drought, wildfires, extreme heat and flooding are minimal.

But perhaps one of the biggest factors driving economic development in Onondaga County and the larger region is its image as something of an economic comeback kid.

“Central New York’s story is a pretty appealing one,” Simpson said.

“We’ve also been able to demonstrate

success and I think people want to be part of success.”

He cited the revitalization of downtown Syracuse and of downtown Oswego and Fulton as positive examples. The area has a highly educated workforce and many colleges and institutions to continue supporting the growth of a skilled, educated workforce.

The region also boasts a low cost of living, which has become increasingly important as the cost of living in many large cities, such as New York City, Seattle and San Francisco, has soared.

Onondaga County and the larger region also offer an amazing quality of life, Simpson said.

“All of these things that we’ve been talking about for a long time,” he said. “I see companies making location decisions factoring those things in a way that perhaps they haven’t before.”

Economic development can be a bit like a freight train: slow to start and then hard to stop once it gets going.

Simpson said the area has significant economic momentum right now, which helps create more economic prosperity.

It’s all very satisfying for Simpson, as it would be for any economic development official. But when he considers how much has changed since he moved back to the area two decades ago — jobs leaving the area and anchor companies departing — it’s an especially sweet moment.

“And now to be able to have seen the full life cycle has been an awesome experience,” he said.

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Parts of the former Miller Brewery in Volney will be renovated over the next few years and leased it to companies for warehousing and manufacturing.

OSWEGO COUNTY

Redevelopment of former Miller Brewery, expansion of industrial park among top projects for 2023

By Ken Sturtz

T

DJ Properties, a company controlled by businessman Michael Tormey’s family, purchased a 67-acre portion of the former Miller Brewery in Volney in March 2022 for $5.5 million. They plan is to renovate 786,000 square feet of space, mostly the main building at the complex, over the next few years and lease it to companies for warehousing and manufacturing.

Ever since it closed 30 years ago, economic developments officials have been trying to redevelop the site, with varying degrees of success. Most of the proposed business ventures there haven’t panned out over the long term and the massive main building had gone unused for so long that portions of the roof had rotted away.

The Tormey family has already proven their strategy on a smaller scale.

Over the last two years, they purchased and renovated the former can-making plant just north of the Miller complex.

An electrical parts distributor signed a lease and plans to move into the 130,000-square-foot space this spring.

The investment will save the building from the wrecking ball and create a large amount of versatile space close to where semiconductor manufacturer Micron plans to build a plant.

“That’s really going to be an exciting and hot project in 2023,” said Austin Wheelock, executive director of Operation Oswego County. “It’s going to be a huge opportunity and huge selling point for Oswego County.”

80 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

Industrial park expansion and Wastewater treatment plant upgrades in Phoenix The 135-acre L. Michael Treadwell Oswego County Industrial Park just off of Route 481 in Schroeppel has been slowly filling up with businesses over the years. But when EJ USA took a major parcel to build a 71,000-square-foot fabrication facility a few years ago, it became obvious that the industrial park was running out of space.

So economic development officials went looking for land to expand the park. After several years of negotiations, the Oswego County Industrial Development Agency bought 185 acres of adjacent land in 2021 for $1.1 million.

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In a stroke of good luck, the land was purchased before Micron announced it was building 10 miles away.

“That’s going to be a big priority in 2023, getting it shovel ready,” Wheelock said.

Economic development officials are now in the process of securing the money to prepare the site and build it out for new development.

“It’s not just investing in strategic sites, but it’s also investing in infrastructure,” Wheelock said.

The wastewater treatment plant in the village of Phoenix provides sewer service to the industrial park and needs to be upgraded. Oswego County and the county IDA have each pledged $1 million to help with the upgrades and the town of Schroeppel is exploring building its own treatment plant to support further growth in the area.

“That’s going to be critical not just to business growth but to residential growth in southern Oswego County,” Wheelock said.

Business incubator at former Nestle site The county IDA owns a 3-acre parcel at the site of the former Nestle chocolate works in Fulton and Operation Oswego County plans to develop a facility to serve as a business incubator for startups, Wheelock said.

Environmental studies are ongoing for the site, which is one of the last hurdles to the project getting off the ground, hopefully later this year.

The IDA committed about $2 million developing the building and New York state committed roughly $1.7 million. But the construction estimates for the project were from before the COVID-19 pandemic and costs have since skyrocketed. Officials are currently working to fill the resulting funding gap.

Economic development officials envision a 30,000-square-foot building with flexible, modern industrial space that can be used to attract small startup manufacturers and then let them grow.

“We’re looking to try to focus it toward businesses in that sector,” Wheelock said, adding that the startup businesses would not have to be in manufacturing.

Tenant businesses could also include companies doing research and development, specialty logistics or supply chain work.

Wheelock said the timing of the incubator initiative lines up well with

Container at the port of Oswego

the investments related to the Fulton Downtown Revitalization Initiatives and the buildout nearby of Micron’s chip plant and will create opportunities for housing, industry and beautification in Fulton.

million for badly needed repairs to the entire harbor breakwater and the foundation of the West Pierhead Lighthouse.

Port of Oswego

While economic development officials in recent years have made it a priority to invest in strategic sites that can attract new companies and building the infrastructure to support them, companies already located in Oswego County are still important to the area’s economy.

“We are working with existing businesses that are expanding,” Wheelock said, noting that Novelis and Felix Schoeller were two examples.

Novelis is investing more than $340 million over the next few years at its massive plant in Scriba to construct new buildings and modernize its facilities for current and future use.

“They’re making investments that are going to make them competitive overall and lead to long-term investment in Oswego County,” Wheelock said. “This is massive and it’s extremely important.”

Felix Schoeller is a German-owned specialty paper manufacturing company with a facility in Richland. It has mostly been using that facility for paper converting, but with a $24 million investment the company will get back into paper coating, mostly for the healthcare industry.

The investment will include adding a new manufacturing line that will add about 30 full-time jobs and support about 140 existing jobs.

“They’re making investments in infrastructure that will allow them to continue to grow,” Wheelock said.

“This project could potentially lead to future projects.”

Although sometimes overlooked by the public, the Port of Oswego is a key asset for economic development in the region.

“It’s a unique asset that Oswego County has over most of New York state,” Wheelock said.

The Port of Oswego is the state’s only commercial port on the Great Lakes and has been on the upswing recently.

Last year it handled more than 581 million tons of cargo, a 300% increase from 2021. About 60% of that cargo came from 77 ships, but the port also moves cargo by truck and rail. Many companies rely on the port to move their cargo, such as grains, aluminum, salt, fertilizer, petroleum and windmill parts.

Projects at the port include the opening in 2023 of its $15 million Regional Agricultural. With it, the port can store up to 22,00 metric tons of grain and has a USDA grain testing lab on site.

The port and harbor have also seen several other infrastructure projects begin or be announced. Those include the reconstruction of the west pier retaining wall and dock, a $4 million investment, and $7 million in east dock upgrades.

A more than $2 million project for a new deep-water marina near West First Street is slated to begin soon.

Last year the port signed an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps. Of Engineers to deepen Oswego Harbor, making it accessible to the largest container ships. And late last year the federal government announced it was providing nearly $18

82 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

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IS CNY GEARING UP FOR A HOUSING BOOM?

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

M

any different factors point to the possibility of a housing construction boom coming to CNY in the next few years.

Micron Technology, Inc.’s investment is slated to bring 9,000 direct jobs and 40,000 community jobs to the area.

Rob Simpson, president and CEO of CenterState CEO, anticipates that the northern suburbs of Onondaga and southern Oswego counties “will see significant pressure for new houses” because of the uptick in jobs.

He believes that areas in Onondaga County are currently underutilized.

“We will be creating additional density in communities,” he said. “If southern Oswego County will be looked to in accommodating growth, there will be additional upgrades needed.”

As for areas ripe for development, he listed Fulton, Oswego, Phoenix and smaller villages among them, especially waterfront communities.

“Whether working for Micron or suppliers, these people are eager for community amenities,” Simpson said.

“This is a golden age for urban center and regional development.”

As for outlying areas, such as Madison, Cortland, Cayuga, Oneida and Wayne counties, he feels uncertain if the Micron effect will spread that far.

Mark DeAngelis Jr. vice president of Mark Antony Homes in Syracuse,

feels “very optimistic” about the housing market.

“We’ll have astronomical growth for the next 10 years,” he said. “This year is looking really steady.”

The lumber prices are stabilizing nationally. He said that overall inflation will not allow builders to get back to the pricing to which homebuyers were accustomed. The biggest hurdle he faces as a builder is the cost of labor. With huge numbers of skilled, experienced baby boomers retiring, “we’re seeing a big void,” DeAngelis said. “It’s a lot of opportunity for younger people with the amount of work ahead.”

Attracting interest to working in the building trades challenges builders, as many young people are not interested in these fields. DeAngelis hopes that early workforce committees can generate more interest in the industry and that more young people would realize that apprenticeship programs can pay them to learn a trade and graduate with certifications and no debt.

“It’s a lot better path for a lot of people,” he said. “These are great skills. It boils down to wanting to go to work every day and then having the motivation to get out there and learn something. If you have those, you’ll have great opportunities that a lot of people are just being educated about.”

Although the Micron effect will

84 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

doubtlessly bring a lot of change to CNY, Jay Fleming, owner of Jay Fleming Construction in Hastings, doesn’t believe that much change will happen in 2023, but in subsequent years, as Micron’s business gains momentum.

Cost of materials also matter.

“The cost of lumber has gone down, but as far as other materials, they’re still ridiculously high,” Fleming said.

“It’s through the roof and still going up. People are dealing with the prices right now.”

The willingness to pay more does not always matter, as Fleming said shortages for certain goods still stall parts of building projects.

“It’s the main issue now; everyone’s running out of certain things,” he added.

“A lot of things aren’t readily available.

It takes longer to get stuff in.”

Mortgage interest rates also matter.

Current rates in Oswego are 5.18% for a 30-year fixed loan, 4.53% for 15year fixed loan and 4.63% for a 5-year ARM. Syracuse rates are 6.51% for a 30-year fixed loan, 5.83% for 15-year fixed loan and 5.57% for a 5-year ARM. The average mortgage rate in 2019 was 3.94%.

“I’m not very optimistic about the housing market until interest rates and costs go down,” Fleming said.

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amta Saxena of SUNY Oswego’s human development faculty has earned an award from the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) for an outstanding combination of teaching, advising and scholarship.

The NCFR recognized Saxena with the Cognella Innovation in Teaching Award for Family Science in late 2022.

NCFR noted Saxena’s innovative use of a carebased pedagogy (the method and practice of teaching) that connected instruction, scholarship, advising and community partnerships.

“I felt honored to receive this award on such an important national and international platform with professionals I revered as a graduate student,” Saxena said, also giving credit to the chair of SUNY Oswego’s human development department: “Since the award acknowledged my attempts to support my students’ needs and pedagogical changes, I am thankful for the leadership of Dr. Dorothy J. Shedlock, who supported and encouraged my ideas and teaching strategies.”

The award connects with work Saxena did with two human development research methods classes. The courses came at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic challenged regular teaching methods, but built on this by studying how the pandemic impacted family life, mental wellness and related issues.

NCFR judges praised Saxena’s teaching and use of four-step instructional model “integrating subject mastery, a gamified approach, authentic assessment, and content accessibility in synchronous and asynchronous courses,” they wrote in the award announcement. “Utilizing this method, Dr. Saxena’s students collected data on approximately 400 individuals to study the impact of COVID-19 on family routines, coping and stress, which yielded valuable data and also taught students best practices in survey design and data collection.”

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WHAT TO EXPECT FROM KEY SECTORS OF OUR ECONOMY Stories by Stefan Yablonski

TOURISM INDUSTRY Sportfishing in general is still a major draw for Oswego County.

Pictured is Elizabeth Yuko, a freelance writer and Fordham University professor, with local charter captain Andy Bliss.

Sector is Rebounding, After Tough Pandemic Years

O

swego County tourism is seeing a resurgence.

As the pandemic continues to fade in the rearview mirror, things look brighter in the future.

“If we go back, the last 15 years — if we use occupancy tax collection as our metric — we’ve grown the economy by 273%,” said Dave Turner, director of the county’s Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning.

That includes the pandemic year.

“We had that year, 2020, that saw a decrease of about 30%,” he said. “But then, the very next year, in 2021, we were back up. We had a good rebound in 2021 and then really significant improvement

last year as well.”

Sportfishing in general is still a major draw for the county.

“You’ve got Oneida Lake with a lot of walleye and other fish. That draws a lot of anglers,” he said. “Lake Ontario, the Salmon River and the fishery — really eclipses all of that.”

There are other things that bring visitors to the area, he added.

For example, people stay in hotels who might be here to work on a project at the nuclear plants, the hospital or Novelis, he said.

“You also have to consider as well that the college activities bring many people to this area,” he said. “During the

86 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

pandemic, you didn’t have parents here for graduation or parents’ weekend.

Basketball, soccer, lacrosse, ice hockey — didn’t have all those visiting people and visiting teams and things like that.

There was a reduction in all that during the pandemic.”

That put a strain on other businesses — such as hotels, gas stations, restaurants and others.

“The rebound was across all those categories. It’s not just more people are coming to go fishing or snowmobiling,” he said. “A visitor is a visitor in our minds and we do what we can to make sure that, for whatever reason you’re here, that you know about what there is to see and do and you have a good time so that you come back again.”

The county legislature has authorized Turner’s department to rebuild the tourism website. That project will begin this year.

“Hopefully, by this time next year,

we will have something much more effective at communicating all there is to see and do here in Oswego County,” he said. “The visitor guide is just about ready to go to print. We will be redoing our little history pamphlet — that was highly requested — so we are doing a reprinting of that.”

With the waning pandemic, Turner believes there will be a resurgence in outdoor activities across the county.

“We are looking forward to continuing to work with all of the municipalities in the county to help promote all the things they have to offer, whether by geography or season,” he said. “We’re still promoting all the things we do.

Harborfest has a brand new director.

We’re looking forward to working with Dan [Harrington] and his board to let as many people as possible know about Harborfest.”

Oswego Visitor Center The Visitor Center on West First Street in Oswego was open from midMay to mid- September with close to 500 visitors last year.

“July was our biggest month with nearly half of the tourists for the summer. Local people and those from neighboring counties stop in to see what’s coming up, but many come from all over the state,” said Eva Corradino of the Oswego Promotion and Tourism advisory board. “As we saw last year, people came from all over, Florida to Kingston, Ontario, Massachusetts to California, for many reasons. Oswego is becoming a destination in itself.”

The center provides information on Oswego County’s rich history, boating and fishing, access to Canada by water or road, the Oswego Speedway and more.

“Families coming for softball and baseball tournaments at Legends Field all found our little center” Corradino said. “We were able to direct people to the things that interest them, providing directions to parks and museums, places to buy T-shirts and other memorabilia, restaurants that fit their taste or budget.

We even helped one boater navigate the website to enter Canada by boat.”

“We met people who had recently moved here, drawn by jobs in Oswego and Onondaga counties, as well as retirees choosing Oswego for its small-town vibe with a lot of activity,” she added.

When coming to Oswego for one reason, they found a fun-filled place to spend time — beautiful sunsets, Harborfest, block parties, tiki boats, family fun Days, boat trips to the light house, history and outdoor music everywhere enticed visitors, Corradino said.

National Marine Sanctuary a Step Closer Plans are underway to create a new national marine sanctuary in New York’s eastern Lake Ontario, according to Dave Turner, director of the county’s Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning.

“We’re moving ahead with the marine sanctuary. It’s still not official, but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Turner said. “If things go

T

as planned, might be an announcement late this year or early next year.”

The proposed boundary encompasses 1,724 square miles of eastern Lake Ontario waters and bottomlands adjacent to Jefferson, Oswego, Cayuga and Wayne counties. The area contains 43 known shipwrecks and one aircraft.

The New York State Tourism Hospitality Association will be meeting in

MANUFACTURING Preparing the Next Generation of Workers

he efforts from local industry to establish relationships with students in high school are reaping rewards to those manufacturers who recognize the value of staying proactive, according to Brian R. Heffron, principal Oswego County P-TECH. “The success that we are experiencing with students successfully transitioning from school to workspaces in our communities is rooted in an active investment from industry to build relationships with students as early as ninth grade,” he said.

P-TECH students value and are loyal to manufacturers who spend time and resources to open up their doors for

visitations, establish mentoring partnerships, designing industry-specific challenges and projects, and creating job shadowing and paid internship opportunities, he explained.

“In return, industry gets a front row seat in promoting their companies’ culture and values to the next generation of employees who are graduating from the program and entering the workforce,” Heffron said.

While students graduating from P-TECH enter the workplace very “green” and have limited experience on the floor, “our industry partners have communicated to us that they bring a hunger and passion to learn from

Oswego in April, he added.

“On the first day, discussion will be about the marine sanctuary and the status of it,” he said.

The NYSH&TA is the oldest state lodging association in the country.

Today the association includes members from nearly all segments of the tourism industry. their peers and establish themselves as master tradeswomen and tradesman,” Heffron said.

Yet, what he is most excited about, what they hear most from employers and what sets these graduates entering the field apart from traditional pathways is their advancement in the areas of professional skills.

“Our graduates will be safe on the job site, our graduates will be responsible with their expectations and our graduates will have the drive to perform,” Heffron said.

CCC: Advanced Manufacturing Institute is a reality Manufacturing in Central New York is at a fascinating moment. Right now, established companies are growing, there’s an exciting influx of new industry leaders and there’s a definite need for the current and future work-

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS

87

forces to learn the skills of today and tomorrow, according to Brian M. Durant, president of Cayuga Community College.

“The college is excited to play a role in the years ahead, where we can support our workforce and the industry with the training and skills they need in this burgeoning field,” he added.

For years, Cayuga has committed itself to supporting the manufacturing industry. In 2022, that culminated at the Fulton campus with the construction of the Advanced Manufacturing Institute.

The state-of-the-art facility combines classrooms, training units and specialized labs and equipment to provide students with access to topflight training. It was designed and constructed with significant input from companies like Novelis and Huhtamaki.

Recently, Cayuga launched a new microcredential — electro-mechanical systems fundamentals — creating an avenue for students to earn introductory knowledge in manufacturing-related fields. This program started in February is an excellent opportunity for those entering the workforce to build the skills they need to succeed, Durant noted. The microcredential also provides an academic pathway into the certificate and degree programs for those students who would like to continue their education.

EJ USA products in high demand EJ USA is the global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of access solutions for the world’s growing infrastructure.

“We create customer-oriented solutions that greatly improve access to infrastructure,” said Tim McKernan, facility manager of the Phoenix site. “Our

strategic investment in talented people and processes, positions us to supply this strong demand for our products.”

“Our current order activity is strong and we’ve been able to maintain full employment, while reinvesting in our facilities,” he added. ”This includes a new state-of-the-art robotic welding cell that is schedule to be installed this year at our Phoenix fabrication plant.”

Local projects, like reconstruction of I-81 and the proposed Micron facility, will utilize many of EJ’s products.

“Other than the site development where our products would be used, we don’t expect that Micron will have any impact on competing for workers,” he said. “The Micron workers have a different skill set.”

Recent Buy American clauses also help increase demand for EJ’s made in USA material, he added.

Novelis to complete capital projects “2023 will be an exciting and busy year for Novelis Oswego. The Oswego team will continue to provide high quality, infinitely recyclable aluminum to customers in the auto and specialty markets while looking forward to the completion of capital projects at the plant,” said Kristen Nelson, plant manager.

Improvement projects in Oswego will increase the rolling capability in the hot mill, as well provide new locker rooms and amenities for employees.

“We are also excited to work with our partners in the community to continue finding opportunities to support our neighbors, increase access to STEM education and encourage recycling,” Nelson said.

AGRIBUSINESS Farmers have a tough fight ahead — ‘overall economy has not been good’

“

Things are about the same as it was in 2022. It’s not good right now, unfortunately,” according to Mark James of the New York Farm Bureau.

Like everyone in America right now, farmers are dealing with many

challenges, he said, citing inflationary costs as one example.

“The cost of fertilizer tripled last year. A lot of that has to do with supply chain issues. But also the war in Ukraine has had a major impact. Ukraine and

88 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

Russia are some of the biggest suppliers of fertilizer to the United States. That’s something a lot of people don’t know about. Fertilizers are petroleum based.

And, the cost of oil — while it has come down a little bit — it’s still high. That’s certainly had an impact,” he explained.

Labor cost is another big issue.

“We’ve got a minimum wage that has been going up. We have the farm labor bill that passed and the recommendation from the wage board was to reduce the overtime threshold from 60 to 40 hours,” he continued. “We’ve had farmers who have limited their employees’ hours to eliminate the overtime and we’ve had people leaving to go to other states where they can work more hours.”

The overall economy has not been good, James noted.

If you factor in the pressures from solar development and the number of farmers who are reaching retirement age — when they get an offer for leasing their lands for solar for more they can make in terms of growing crops and livestock — it becomes pretty attractive to folks.

There are a lot of pressures out there right now on farmers and those are going to impact consumers down the road, he pointed out.

Eggs — some of that is supply chain issues and some of that is disease, he said. “Across the county we’ve had an avian influenza outbreak. The remedy for that is destroying the birds. And so, now you’ve got a shortage out there,” he explained. “We haven’t seen any in the major flocks in New York state. We haven’t seen it, but it certainly has been in some of the backyard chicken flocks across the state. I know most of the players here in New York — particularly in Central New York — that are raising birds for egg production and they have not, fortunately, had any outbreaks.

That’s a credit to their bio-security protocols that they have in place.”

The California storms have also had a negative impact here, he noted.

“There are literally acres and acres of lettuce and artichoke and tomatoes being ruined,” he said.

Farmers are getting paid more — but their cost of producing their products has gone up also.

Any good news for farmers? Not at this point.

“We have an administration that is trying to electrify the entire state.

That has drawbacks for the agricultural community,” he said.

For example, John Deere just came

out with an electric tractor prototype — “but it’s a prototype.”

“The technology isn’t there to switch to all non-carbon fuels for equipment. If you’re drying grain, for instance, it’s not practical to use electricity,” he said. “The goal is admirable for the state to go to a non-carbon base economy, the practicality is that they are going way too fast and they need to talk to farmers about the realities of moving forward.”

Building more transmission lines to accommodate the electric future is going to go the route of least resistance, he noted.

“That means open farmland. That will put even more pressure on the ability of farmers to stay in business,” he said.

The Micron boom could take farmland to use for housing development, he warned.

NONPROFITS Community Foundation: Pivotal time for some organizations

I

t’s kind of a tricky situation for nonprofits these days, according to Frank M. Ridzi, vice president, community investment, of the Central New York Community Foundation.

The foundation is a public charity that receives contrib u t i o n s f ro m private donors, manages them to Tom Griffith grow over time and then distributes funding to local charities to help them thrive.

“When the pandemic was occurring, we talked about it like an extinction level event where a lot on nonprofits could become extinct,” he said.

“That didn’t transpire as we thought it would; partly due to doFrank Ridzi nations and emergency funds; but also to PPE loans.

That really kept a lot of nonprofits afloat.”

Arts organizations had audiences that kind of hibernated.

“Maybe they laid off staff and went to a bare bones staff. Human services agencies were called on to step up and really do a lot of work,” he added. “So now that we are coming out of the pandemic, we are seeing these interesting trends that affected them in different ways. For instance, arts organizations,

if they aren’t able to pull together an audience — they’re having troubles. It impacts their financial statements. If you can’t pull those audiences back in and resume working as they were before the pandemic, it’s a pivotal time for them.”

Human services are hit with a double whammy in terms of getting funding from state agencies — there are a lot of hassles. The state often delays payments or it’s very difficult to actually get those contracts in place.

That causes cancellations and other budgetary issues. Some have to take out a loan, “and when you take out a loan you have to pay interest,” he added.

Agencies have to deal with cost-ofliving adjustments and inflation, which is going gangbusters here, he said.

“In order to retain staff, you have to pay them,” he explained. “With inflation, there is the concern that they may see fewer donations.”

“The main way we work with living donors is using a fund that allows donors to contribute when they have the need to for tax purposes and other reasons,” said Thomas M. Griffith, vice president, development, CNY Community Foundation. “They can recommend grant distributions from their fund whenever they want to.”

There were a lot of donations into the fund during the pandemic.

“We’re seeing a similar trend so far this year, maybe a little bit less than last year,” he said.

The foundation’s fiscal year end is March 31.

Oftentimes how the stock market does is what really influences donors.

“When the stock market is doing well, people tend to make bigger con-

tributions. Even with the market being down, we’re seeing a really robust giving this year,” he said.

It is a little bit of a mixed bag, Griffith added.

“It depends on how well the nonprofit has been able to re-engage in their work; as well as re-engage with their supporters,” he said. “For some it was a stark reduction — others fared better.

The Community Foundation hasn’t really experienced much change over the last few years in respect to donors donating — in fact, we’ve seen good response. But it’s a much more varied situation out there.”

The United Way is big enough to do a lot of the payroll deduction to raise funds, he noted.

“I think the majority of nonprofits are doing their usual annual campaigns, trying to get donors to shift to monthly or quarterly credit card contributions.

I think that’s absolutely a significant move.

“We encourage nonprofits to talk about planned gifts all the time. We have a campaign called 5forcny.org. It encourages everybody to include 5% of their estates to support the nonprofits that they care about,” he said.

Some people donate funds with very specific purposes. The foundation just stewards that purpose.

“Other donors donate and we use the funds to address various needs of the time,” Griffith added.

Donating helps plan for the unseen, Ridzi agreed.

“When some one gives us funds to use in a more discretionary way, a more flexible way, it allows us to really use that to address really the most pressing needs of today,” he said. “Who would have foreseen the pandemic? But people who died 50 years ago and left funds to us; we were able to use those funds to help with the needs of today. That’s one of the great things about it.”

The Central New York Community Foundation has a “very rigorous” process for donations. That involves having a relation with the nonprofit and then encouraging them to come to us with their best ideas,” he said. “Once they do that, we have a rigorous due diligence process that we work through — a site visit and application and board discussion, then we ultimately come to a decision on how to best spend those dollars based on what the community needs are, the most logical ways to address those needs.”

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS

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“

“

“In total last year, SBA approved more than $200 million in traditional loans to Upstate New York small businesses and we aim to continue reaching more entrepreneurs with small dollar loans to help build a more resilient local economy.” small businesses and SBA can help meet the current demand.

“Our team in Upstate New York is currently hiring another lender relations specialist to support our local lending partners, who offer SBA loan programs at competitive rates,” Paprocki said.

“We are also offering fee relief for our 7(a) loan program to lower costs for entrepreneurs. That means 7(a) loans of $500,000 or less will have zero SBA fees this fiscal year, a significant savings for borrowers.

“In total last year, SBA approved more than $200 million in traditional loans to Upstate New York small businesses and we aim to continue reaching more entrepreneurs with small dollar loans to help build a more resilient local economy.”

Adding more jobs

Bernard J. Paprocki, director of the U.S. Small Business Administration Upstate New York District.

SMALL BUSINESS Outlook for Small Business Will Depend on Each Sector

“

The outlook for Central New York small businesses this year will likely vary depending on the industry, but overall, there continue to be headwinds,” said Bernard J. Paprocki, director of the U.S. Small Business Administration Upstate New York District.

“Many restaurants, for example, are still struggling. National trends like labor shortages, supply chain disruptions

and inflation aren’t going away any time soon.”

Then on the local level, factors like changing weather patterns greatly impact the economy.

“Any business dependent on snow— from snow removal to tourism and winter sports — is experiencing those effects right now,” he added.

Access to capital is the lifeblood of

90 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

Job growth is robust in the three-county Syracuse metro area and remains broad-based, as most major industry sectors have added jobs over the past year, according to Karen Knapik-Scalzo, associate economist, NYS Department of Labor, Syracuse.

This upswing in the local economy has resulted in 9,000 new private-sector jobs over the 12-month period ending November 2022.

“This represents a 3.6% growth rate.

The total number of private-sector jobs in the Syracuse metro area stands just 1.5% below its November 2019 pre-recession level,” she said. “Over-the-year job growth has been particularly strong in healthcare and social assistance; transportation and warehousing; accommodation and food services; and professional and business services.”

The local unemployment rate hit record low levels during 2022 in the Syracuse metro area.

The Syracuse MSA unemployment rate currently stands at 2.8% as of November 2022.

CAN CNY STAFF MICRON?

Local employers already have a hard time finding employees — how will Micron find 9,000 workers locally?

M

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

icron Technology, Inc.’s plans to invest $100 billion over the next 20 years and bring 9,000 jobs to Central New York (plus 40,000 community jobs) as it makes the largest investment in US history in general for its memory and storage technology production facility in Clay. With local employers already struggling to fill openings, how will employers find workers?

Randy Wolken, president and CEO of MACNY, calls the shift “a game changer.”

“We need more of just about everything,” Wolken said. “We are going to need construction. We primarily deal with non-construction, but we need electrical technicians, quality control, CNC machinists, maintenance mechanics, welders and tool makers. They’re all in high demand now and the number is growing. Literally to fulfill our need, thousands will move here to seek these opportunities. We don’t have enough individuals to fill these needs.”

His organization is working with high schools and current employers to fill the need facing the manufacturing industry.

Staffing agencies and recruiters are also part of the solution. In addition to

filling the openings directly caused by Micron, more jobs will come to the area as more businesses begin and expand to meet the need for people filling Micron’s openings.

“Micron will be changing the landscape of our image and who we are as a destination and as a region,” said Stephanie Vavonese, owner of SMV Recruiting, LLC in Syracuse. “I think it will be a snowball effect. It will become the next up-and-coming, cool place to be. It’s going to put us on the map. That alone is a great added value of Micron coming.”

She foresees increases in new residential housing, entertainment, dining and other sectors of the economy as Micron recruits from outside the region and state. With great growth and opportunities comes challenges. One of those is the ability of smaller companies to attract workers. Vavonese has already begun talking with some of these small companies that have already been struggling to meet increased expectation for wages.

“When you bring a company like Micron who can afford to pay very competitive wages it to attract talent, you have to think about where that

talent will come from,” Vavonese said.

“You have to think it will be poached.

Wages will have to continue rising to be competitive. There will be growing pains.”

As these companies lose employees, the wages they will need to pay to attract new workers may come as a shock. Vavonese said that many of them have not had to hire someone in 20 years. She views Micron’s presence as a force that will make employers raise wages — if they can.

She hopes that Micron will attract new graduates from local schools who will decide to stay in the area instead of joining the longstanding exodus from CNY to states with lower taxes and better opportunities.

“It’s a growing city, not a dying city,” Vavonese said. “How we see Syracuse today will be very different from how we see it in 10 years. It will be more vibrant, more restaurants, more things to do. We will be on the map.”

She can picture Syracuse on par with Boston, New York City and Denver as a consideration for more companies, especially considering Syracuse’s waterways, recreational opportunities, affordable property and good schools, all which can readily attract workers to fill roles.

Susan Crossett, CEO of CPS Recruitment in Liverpool, views Micron’s coming to CNY as an opportunity to “attract people to this region who otherwise might not consider this a great place to live and work.”

As for the ability for other employers to find workers, she views Micron’s presence as “healthy competition” and that Micron will likely draw workers from outlying communities as well.

“The timeline will allow us to train and get high schoolers interested in these positions,” Crossett added.

“When a project like this is announced, the talent interested in this type of work will naturally migrate here.”

With schools already working on interesting students in STEM, she foresees a good deal of homegrown talent filling Micron’s positions — perhaps students that might otherwise move away from the area to find work.

“This is the largest investment in the US of any company at any time,” she said. “They picked us. I think that says such wonderful things about our community about all that we have to offer in this region. They’re very interested in making sure everyone has an opportunity to work at Micron. I believe it will lift us all up.”

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS

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MAYOR MICHAELS

‘Small business community to have plenty of opportunities to consider’

By Stefan Yablonski

F

ulton is moving forward and 2023 is set to be a year of transformation, according to Mayor Deana Michaels.

“As we prep for spring and summer projects, we are excited about all that’s in store,” she said.

Infrastructure improvements The Repave Route 481 project will start in early spring and move through late summer.

“While disruption to traffic is inevitable, the end result will be better than anything we have seen in more than 25 years,” she said.

Many of the city’s DRI projects will get going in earnest this spring.

Depending on the size, it will be probably 2024 for completion on most.

“Our DRI initiatives are well under way,” the mayor said.

“We have preliminary plans for a new marina, phase 2 of our RiverWalk, enhanced library features along the water and a downtown vibe upgrade.

The plan is the have shovels in the ground in summer 2023.”

In addition, they have a major riverside park project to break ground this summer, she added.

Located adjacent to Davis Standard, this nearly $1.7 million project is

geared to bring community members to the riverbank to enjoy festivals, markets, fishing, water sports and more.

Among the others projects are the rehabilitation of a strip mall visible from the 481 gateway for new and existing tenants. New tenants include a barber shop and beauty supply store. Fulton is bringing additional medical services to downtown through the expansion of Oswego Health’s Fulton campus. Also, River View Pediatrics purchased the former Tops market at 909 W. First St., and is renovating it to become the new location for their practice. The goal is to open in the spring of this year.

And, the CNY Community Arts Center is improving its building.

Small business opportunities “Our small business community will have plenty of opportunities in 2023 to consider,” Michaels said. “We were recently approved for a $198,000 micro enterprise grant. We are still offering support through our $750,000 DRI small business grant fund and have several large private projects benefiting from various state funding programs including Restore NY.” A new full-service restaurant is tentatively scheduled to open this fall. It will be located across from Huhtamaki, at 371 S. Second St. P l a n s w e re

92 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

also announced to restore and transform an abandoned historic building into an inn and café. The building located at 181 S. First St. will become the Kings Road Inn, a four- to six-room inn with cafe and coffee lounge. The structure is known as the Case-Lee House.

The city has also made significant investment in its business approach such as marketing, promotion, programming and collaborations that will result in further investment, grant opportunities and programming to draw locals, increase tourism, attract boaters and more.

Fulton is the place to be in 2023, the mayor said.

“We encourage those who typically drive through to stop, support a local restaurant like JTs BBQ or Blue Moon Bistro, enjoy a beverage at The Yard or on the deck at Tavern on the Lock, shop at a local retailer or plan to attend a play at CNY Arts,” she said. “There’s plenty to do and see, a great deal to be proud of and time we put Fulton back on the map. We look forward to seeing everyone!”

Several events planned Fulton’s calendar of events in 2023 is filling up quickly.

“Returning this year is Big Truck Day 3, Fulton FallFest, Porchfest, iRacing league, Tunes in June and our Community Market,” the mayor said.

“We are excited to announce Fulton is adding to our calendar of events with two new major events.”

Fulton has been chosen to be the site of the APBA National boat races at Lake Neatahwanta.

“It’s been generations since we have heard the roar and witnessed the excitement of boat racing on our great lake,” Michaels said. “With hundreds of racers and even more spectators, Fulton will be full of excitement for motorsport enthusiasts and the community alike.”

They are in the process of finalizing a deal with Salt City Roller Derby, she added.

Fulton War Memorial will be the home of the events from April through September.

“This opportunity is one we expect to grow and expand for years to come,” she said. “Finally, we are working with New York State Canals to bring a diversified portfolio of events along the canals for boaters and community members to enjoy.”

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JC Penney on the Oswego Plaza in Oswego is closing after doing business in the city since 1976. Hobby Lobby — and possibly Texas Roadside restaurant — will take its place.

MAYOR BARLOW:

‘State of the city is strong’

Sure, the city is losing JC Penney but it’s gaining a new Hobby Lobby and possibly a Texas Roadhouse franchise

By Stefan Yablonski

“

There is an undeniable renewed confidence in this community.

We’ve made tremendous progress in recent years. We have more going for us right now, today, than at any time in recent memory,” Mayor Billy Barlow said at the close of his State of the City address in January. “I believe in this community and the people of Oswego and that is why I know the state of our city is strong.”

He offered a list of examples.

And, he recently commented regarding the looming closure of the JC Penney store on the city’s east side.

“We are, of course, disappointed to learn of JC Penney’s closure — but we expected this for many years. We knew eventually the store would close after it survived several rounds of widespread

corporate closures,” he said. “Luckily, we already have a new tenant in Hobby Lobby looking to occupy the space.”

Also the JC Penney closure will allow the tentative Texas Roadhouse project to progress, he added.

“So, the loss of a business will be replaced by two more businesses employing more people and bringing new unique services to the community,” he said. “The economy and business climate here in the city is strong right now and I don’t always use corporate decisions made by chains as a real gauge of the local economy. I do think a Hobby Lobby and Texas Roadhouse will be welcomed here in the community and quite popular. I support their proposed locations and site plans at this time.”

94 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

City progress highlighted “In 2022, we replaced the aging Breitbeck Park playground with an impressive new structure containing Central New York’s first wheelchair accessible merry-go-round, directly next to the newly installed outdoor fitness court,” the mayor said.

The city simultaneously constructed and opened the new 8,000 square foot skate park along the East Linear Riverwalk, he added.

Currently, they are building a park and train-themed playground suitable for kids younger than 7. It will include musical instruments for interactive play, he said.

The structure will be built at the

Rotary Park area on East First Street.

The mayor said he is “particularly proud of the work we’ve accomplished along our waterfront.”

A $20 million investment, mostly in the form of grant funding, has transformed the waterfront area to be second to none, according to Barlow.

“We will continue our work to improve our waterfront in 2023, particularly along the riverfront south of the Utica Street Bridge,” he said.

The area is a popular destination for fishermen and walkers alike.

“We’ll use $2 million in FEMA disaster funding to start and complete the West Linear Riverwalk Rehabilitation Project,” he said. “We will also work to open the new pavilion at Wright’s Landing, with several new amenities for boaters and residents, install a jet ski dock and finally complete the $9 million William Cahill Pier Project and the ongoing transformation of Sheldon Beach near SUNY Oswego.”

Street work planned This year, the city will focus on Route 48 from Murray Street to Utica Street.

Barlow explained that they will utilize already-secured transportation grant funding for the project.

They are considering changing the layout of the four-lane gateway corridor — to reduce speed and traffic, while adding additional greenspace, beautification and pedestrian-friendly traffic measures to revive this area that has fallen victim to recent business closures and general neglect, he said.

If implemented properly, the $1 million road construction project will bring energy and confidence back to the area and encourage private sector investment to further expand the growth experienced in the downtown district, according to the mayor.

More than $1 million of city streets will be paved in 2023, with a particular focus on some of the worst areas in the community, Barlow said. It will be his administration’s largest paving plan.

This significant investment will build upon the unprecedented levels of paving that have been completed year after year during his term, he added.

With the March 2023 opening of the indoor Splash water park, all 12 DRI projects will have been brought to fruition, Barlow said.

“All the hard work we have done to revive our community has positioned Oswego for continued positive growth, compounding on our successes, particularly in light of the recent announcement that Micron will be constructing an enormous chip fabrication facility in Onondaga County,” he said.

Communities throughout Central New York have begun planning to accommodate the influx of new residents.

The “multifaceted transformation of Oswego” has made it a more desirable place to live, he said.

“We need to tell our story and showcase our community as Micron employees begin to be hired or relocate to Central New York,” he continued.

To accomplish this, Barlow will propose to the Common Council a two-year, $100,000 advertising campaign, strategically promoting the city to help capture some of CNY’s newest residents.

He will also propose an additional $100 reduction to the annual water and sewer bill for flat rate paying homeowners in the city; resulting in a total annual reduction of $400 per year since the day he took office.

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BEST BUSINESS DIRECTORY 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE Vail Tree Service. Complete tree and limb removal — 100-foot crane reach. Free estimates-fully insured.

Senior discounts available. Contact Derrick Bartlett 315-806-0147.

AUTO SALES & SERVICE Bellinger Auto Sales & Service. Third generation business. Used cars, towing, general auto repair & accessories, truck repair. Oil, lube & filter service. 2746 County Route 57 Fulton. Call 315-593-1332.

Jake’s Automotive of Oswego, Inc. Auto repair and service of brakes, steering, suspension, diagnostics, oil change, tires & more. We also sell performance parts.

801 E. Seneca St. Phone: 315-342-6871.

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CAR WRAP + VEHICLE & WINDOW GRAPHICS Upward Graphics. 21 S. 2nd St., Fulton. Visit upwardgfx.com or 315-402-2099.

DEMOLITION Fisher Companies. Commercial and residential demolition. Great prices. Fully insured. Free estimates. 50 years of experience. Call Fisher Companies at 315652-3773 or visit www.johnefisherconstruction.com.

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING Scriba Electric. Offering residential-commercial-and industrial services. 3 Creamery Road, Oswego, NY 13126, www.scribaelectric.com, 315-342-7681

EXCAVATING Gilbert Excavating. Septic systems. Gravel & top soil. Septic tank pumping. 685 County Route 3, Fulton, 13069. Call 593-2472.

FLOORING & CARPET With over 40 years’ experience House Works Carpet offers high quality and affordable waterproof luxury flooring, hardwood, laminate, ceramic tile and carpet

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POOL COVER REPAIR Trust the experts! Let us repair your in-ground pool cover. Free estimates. Everybody says “call this guy”. Cortini shoe zipper canvas repair. Fulton. 315-593-8914.

ROOFING, DECKS PORCH

Everything you’re looking for in a local florist. Full service with delivery. 36 years experience. Tux/suit rentals, holiday and sympathy designs available. DeVine Designs, 15 W. First St. S., Fulton. 315-592-4245 dvinedesign.com.

Enright Roofing has over 40 years’ experience providing high quality affordable new roof, deck and porch construction. We also offer roof, soffit and fascia repair in addition to gutter clean-outs and blown insulation service. We accept all types of insurance claims and are a locally owned and operated company. Contact Enright Roofing at 315-374-2805 for service and estimates.

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Lakeshore Hardwoods. We stock kiln-dried cherry, walnut, maple, butternut, ash, oak, basswood, mahogany, cedar figured woods, and exotics. Also, hardwood flooring, moldings, stair parts & woodworking supplies.

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Valti Graphics — Creating garment graphics on customized apparel in screen printing, embroidery, Greek apparel & custom lettering. Phone: 315-342-4912, 152 W. Bridge St., Oswego. Valtigraphics.com

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LUMBER White’s Lumber. Four locations to serve you. Pulaski: 3707 State Route 13, 315-298-6575; Watertown: 231 N. Rutland Street, 315-788-6200; Clayton: 945 James Street, 315-686-1892; Gouverneur: 71 Depot St., 315287-1892.

PICTURE FRAMING Picture Connection offers custom matting & framing for photos, posters, prints, oils and more. Shadow boxes, object framing, art print source. 169 W. 1st St., Oswego. 315-343-2908.

PLUMBING & HEATING SUPPLY AHR Mechanical. Providing plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, and electrical services for all your residential and commercial needs. Call 315-668-6569 or contact ahrmechanical@gmail.com for more information.

Pullen’s Plumbing & Heating Supply has a large variety of plumbing & heating repair parts & fixtures. Water heater, furnace, boiler & all plumbing installations available. We do our own excavating for water service & sewer replacement. 22 Ohio St., Oswego, 315-3431906.

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Oswego County Business Magazine, P.O. Box 276, Oswego, NY 13126 FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS

97

LAST PAGE By Steve Yablonski

Ed Alberts

Bringing Historic Old City Hall in Oswego Back to Life

Renovated building to feature apartments, a restaurant overlooking Oswego River and a brewery, says developer Ed Alberts

Q: Why did you decide to take on the Old City Hall project?

A: It has been on and off the market for years. We reached out to [former owner] Larry [Klotzko] last spring. I think it was April 1 we had the contract — April Fools Day. We closed at the end of June or the end of July. We’ve got architects who’ve completed plans just recently.

Q: What’s the next step?

A: We are going to go before Planning and Zoning in March. Then, later on, this spring or early summer, we’ll start construction. That’s the goal.

Q: What plans do you have for the building?

A: It is going to be eight apartments upstairs. We will have a restaurant on the first floor, with a balcony that overlooks the river. Down in the basement, we are going to have a brewery and a small events center. There will also be a spot where you can walk out on the back patio during the summer and enjoy a beer.

Q: Is the building in good shape structurally?

A: It is. There is a large building and two smaller buildings. The two smaller buildings weren’t in good shape. We had some engineers come through. It just got to the point where the cost of saving those two buildings, it was just cost prohibitive. So we ended up — we’re going to work on the large building.

The structure of that large building is excellent. The architects came through and were very impressed.

Q: Because of its historic nature, are there special ways you need to proceed?

A: We are very cognizant of the historical nature of the building. We are working with New York’s State Historic Preservation Office and also the local historical association — they have been great. They sent us a plethora of material on that particular building and the history behind it. We are working with those organizations to ensure that we

98 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023

maintain the look as closely to what it was when it was originally built in the late 1800s.

Q: Do you have an overall cost for the project?

A: We think that the entire project, including purchase of the building, will be somewhere in the neighborhood of $7 million.

Q: What’s next for you, do you have other projects in mind?

A: Absolutely. But I can’t tell reporters —they might tell other people (laughs).

Then, I’d lose the opportunity!

Q: Is this your favorite project?

A: It is a fun project. I don’t pick favorites — but this is definitely a fun project. I think we can make something great out of the building. I think it will draw people to downtown; it’ll draw people to Oswego, Oswego County. I feel very good about it

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