OSWEGO, NEW YORK, US — The Economic Development Administration has awarded a $4 million grant to the Port of Oswego to improve rail infrastructure and purchase new cargo handling equipment. The announcement was made on Aug. 22 by US Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, who said the funding will contribute to increased export capacity and 19 new jobs.
“The Port of Oswego is vital to Upstate New York’s economy, connecting local businesses with markets across the world, and it is essential this economic engine has the necessary resources and equipment to help industry grow,” Schumer said. “This $4 million federal boost will help the Port of Oswego increase export capacity, enhancing its ability to serve local farmers, food producers, and businesses who depend on the port. The Port of Oswego can now go full steam ahead on purchasing new equipment and upgrading their site, leading to more jobs, better service to customers, and new business. I am proud to deliver the federal funding to help grow the port’s operations in the region, ease our supply chain issues, and upgrading the port’s infrastructure to keep their presence strong in Central New York for generations to come.”
Schumer said the $4 million grant will support the addition of a radial telescopic ship loader conveyer and upgrades to the railroad track at the port. The upgrades are necessary to modernize and diversify the Port of Oswego’s operations and infrastructure, he said.
According to Schumer, the Port of Oswego makes up 63% of the business revenue, 49% of the economic activity and 43% of local purchases of the New York ports on the Great Lakes. It is the only deep-water port on Lake Ontario.
“This $4 million grant adds to the $513 million in economic momentum we’ve generated during the past five years, according to a just released joint US/Canadian study,” said William Scriber, executive director of the Port of Oswego Authority. “This funding will allow us to expand our rail operations and purchase a new ship loader to better serve our customers, grow our export capacity, attract new business and help local businesses reach global markets. This is also part of our expanding efforts to make it easier for regional farmers to work with us to export grain. As the only port on Lake Ontario, our grain storage and handling facility is of critical importance to both regional farmers and NY state’s presence in international markets.”
