The Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GOFCC) on Feb. 16] hosted its 2022 annual meeting. The event marks five years since the GOFCC became a fully integrated partner of CenterState CEO. We established this partnership because we believed we could do more together. As we celebrate this milestone, there is much to be excited about in […]
The Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GOFCC) on Feb. 16] hosted its 2022 annual meeting. The event marks five years since the GOFCC became a fully integrated partner of CenterState CEO.
We established this partnership because we believed we could do more together. As we celebrate this milestone, there is much to be excited about in Oswego County and we can see the impact of this partnership. Oswego County is a central part of our region’s Build Back Better Regional Competition (BBBRC) application. There are new investments, driven in part by the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, resulting in new businesses and cultural amenities opening.
I’m grateful to the business community for their leadership and engagement, and I’m proud of the work that we have done to bring new ideas and energy to supporting our members. Our GOFCC colleagues — Katie Toomey, Sara Broadwell, and Brenna Sherman — are critical to these efforts and the best champions of this work.
In her remarks during the event, [Toomey] highlighted some of the people and projects that are changing the dynamics of the region. She talked about how this year’s theme “Let’s GO” embodies the idea that we must commit to action, and when we do, we can exceed even our own expectations.
The event also celebrated some of the community’s partners committed to driving progress in Oswego County and beyond. The GOFCC’s Small Business Award was presented to Will & Laurie O’Brien, owners of Port City Café & Bakery and The Sun Fire Roasting Co. The Impact Award [went] to Dr. Paul Stewart, executive director, Oswego Renaissance Association. The Community Investor Award was presented to Constellation. The Nancy L. Premo Woman of Distinction Award was [won by] Amy Stone Lear, owner of Man in the Moon Candies.
I was also fortunate to have the opportunity to moderate a panel discussion with local leaders Kathryn Watson, executive director of the Children’s Museum of Oswego; Mark Southwick, plant manager at Huhtamaki; and Joe Murabito, owner of Elemental Management Group. They shared how they’re innovating to keep moving forward and emphasized why it’s important for businesses to be engaged in broader community initiatives.
As we look to the year ahead, the opportunities on the horizon will require our continued collaboration, innovation, and drive, so Let’s Go. To learn more about the work of the GOFCC and how you can be involved, contact Katie Toomey at ktoomey@oswegofultonchamber.com.
Robert M. Simpson is president and CEO of CenterState CEO, the primary economic-development organization for Central New York. This article is drawn and edited from the “CEO Focus” email newsletter that the organization sent to members on Feb. 17.
