Port of Oswego awarded $4 million to improve rail infrastructure, buy equipment

OSWEGO, N.Y. — The Port of Oswego will use a $4 million federal grant to improve rail infrastructure and purchase new cargo-handling equipment.

The money will provide the harbor with essential equipment and railroad upgrades, leading to 19 new jobs, increased export capacity, and better access to global markets for local businesses, the office of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.) announced Tuesday.

The funding comes through the Economic Development Administration (EDA).

“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. 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,” Schumer said. “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.”

The $4 million grant adds to the $513 million in “economic momentum” that the Port of Oswego has generated during the past five years, according to a just released joint U.S./Canadian study,” William Scriber, executive director of the Port of Oswego Authority, said in the Schumer release.

“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,” Scriber said. “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 [New York State’s] presence in international markets.”