named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Financial Packaging Assistance
Helps businesses access federal, state, and local financing programs, including low-interest loans and tax-exempt bonds
Micro-enterprise Course
24-hour small-business training program covering business planning, financing, accounting, legal issues, and marketing for startup entrepreneurs
Next Great Idea Business Plan Competition
Encourages entrepreneurism by providing access to equity capital and support for new business ventures in Oswego County
Workforce Development Support
Connects employers with custom training, skills assessment, apprenticeship development, and job training tax credit information
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Regional Economic Development Initiatives 4 activities
- Business relocation and site selection supportProvides property selection, site tours, research, technical assistance, planning, coordination, and financial packaging to support business relocation and site selection in Oswego County. Maintains an inventory of available industrial, office, warehouse, and retail properties for purchase or lease, and offers Greenfield development sites within industrial parks equipped with utilities and infrastructure. Prepares comprehensive site profiles to expedite due diligence.
- Business retention and expansion programConducts outreach to area businesses to identify and address challenges to growth, supporting annual employment growth in Oswego County through the expansion of existing businesses. Examples include supporting United Wire Technologies after a fire and facilitating three expansions for Tailwater Lodge following the adaptive reuse of a closed school.
- Economic development promotionEngages in broad efforts to promote economic development in Oswego County, NY, through coordinated programs and services that support business growth, relocation, and retention.
- Start-Up NY program facilitationFacilitates the Start-Up NY initiative in collaboration with SUNY Oswego and Cayuga Community College to attract and retain businesses through tax incentives and academic partnerships.
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Small Business and Nonprofit Lending 1 activity
- Business financing assistanceAssists businesses in securing financing from federal, state, local, and bank sources through direct support and financial packaging services.
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Industry Research and Benchmarking 1 activity
- Business research and market intelligenceProvides businesses with demographic research, business plan assistance, trend data, and localized market information to support strategic decision-making and growth planning.
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Trade and Logistics Support Services 1 activity
- Foreign Trade Zone support servicesParticipates in Foreign Trade Zone 90 to support businesses through potential elimination, deferment, or reduction of import/export duties, enhancing international trade competitiveness.
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Industry Advocacy and Regulatory Engagement 1 activity
- Regulatory and incentive coordinationFacilitates permitting processes including DEC and SEQR for businesses and coordinates regulatory and incentive processes at the state and federal levels to streamline compliance and access to benefits.
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Startup Acceleration & Business Growth Support 1 activity
- Small business training deliveryProvides a 24-hour small-business training course covering business planning, financing, accounting, taxes, insurance, legal requirements, and marketing to support entrepreneurial development in Oswego County.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$1.42M
Contributions & grants$85K6%
Program service revenue$886K62%
Investment income$436K31%
Other revenue$14K
expenses
Total expenses$1.05M
Program expenses87%
Admin / overhead13%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$752K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$4.59M
Cash$1.52M
Investments$0
Liabilities$301K
Net assets$4.29M
Liquid reserves17.3 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +43.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUSTIN WHEELOCK | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $186K |
board members · 24
- ABBY WEAVER — DIRECTOR
- BRIAN HEFFRON — DIRECTOR
- CHENA TUCKER — DIRECTOR
- COLIN PALM — DIRECTOR
- DANIEL MURPHY — DIRECTOR
- EDWARD GILSON — DIRECTOR
- ELLEN HOLST — DIRECTOR
- ERIC BEHLING — SECRETARY
- JAMES MASON — DIRECTOR
- JIM RANSOM — DIRECTOR
- JOHN SHARKEY IV — VICE PRESIDENT
- JOSEPH DEMARS — DIRECTOR
- MICHELLE SHATRAU — DIRECTOR
- PETER CULLINAN — PRESIDENT
- PETER REDMOND — DIRECTOR
- RACHEL PIERCE — DIRECTOR
- RICHARD WEBER — DIRECTOR
- ROBERT CHETNEY — DIRECTOR
- RONALD G TASCARELLA — DIRECTOR
- RYAN MALONE — DIRECTOR
- SHANE BROADWELL — DIRECTOR
- TOM ROMAN — DIRECTOR
- TRICIA PETER-CLARK — TREASURER
- WILLIAM GALLOWAY — DIRECTOR
relationships · 18
Who they work with
- CNY Regional Planning and Development Board Partner — Administers the Enterprise Development Fund, which finances real estate, machinery, equipment, and working capital for eligible non-retail projects.
- Cayuga Community College Partner — Collaborates with Operation Oswego County to facilitate the Start-Up NY initiative.
- Central New York Regional Economic Development Council Coalition — OOC staff serve on this regional economic development council.
- Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board Coalition — OOC staff serve on this regional planning and development board.
- County of Oswego IDA Partner — Collaborates to provide access to multiple financing programs including industrial revenue bonds, economic development funds, and HUD-related loan funds.
- County of Oswego Industrial Development Agency Partner — Collaborates on economic development initiatives to support business growth and retention in Oswego County.
- Empire State Development Corporation Government — OOC staff serve on this state-level economic development corporation.
- Foreign Trade Zone 90 Network — Member of Foreign Trade Zone 90, a multi-county economic development initiative.
- NYS Empire State Development Government — Provides funding for real estate, equipment, infrastructure, and environmental projects through its Environmental Services Unit and Empire State Development Fund.
- NYS Job Development Authority Government — Offers state-level financing for real estate and equipment under established guidelines, accessed by businesses through Operation Oswego County.
- New York State Economic Development Council Coalition — OOC staff serve on this state economic development council.
- Northeast Economic Developers Association Network — OOC staff are members of this regional economic development association.
- Operation Oswego County Foundation Partner — Collaborates to educate citizens and businesses about economic development resources in Oswego County.
- Oswego County Civic Facilities Corporation Partner — Partners to support financing for not-for-profit facility projects in Oswego County.
- SUNY Oswego Partner — Collaborates with Operation Oswego County to facilitate the Start-Up NY initiative.
- Tailwater Lodge Partner — Client business supported through three expansions following redevelopment of a closed school.
- U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development Government — Provides funding through the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant and Micro Enterprise Loan Program, which Operation Oswego County helps businesses access.
- United Wire Technologies Partner — Client business supported through retention and expansion after a fire-related facility loss.
strategies · 1
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Economic Development through Entrepreneurship and Business Supportmethodology: entrepreneurship_support_through_competitionBy fostering entrepreneurship via competitions, connecting businesses to diverse financing, and providing targeted economic incentives, we stimulate job creation and business growth in Oswego County because access to capital and streamlined development processes are key barriers for early-stage and relocating firms.