About the County of Oswego IDA:

MISSION:
The County of Oswego Industrial Development Agency’s mission is to establish and implement sound economic development strategies in order to enhance the economic vitality of Oswego County’s businesses, industries, communities, and citizens, leading to an overall better quality of life.

Key to the Agency’s mission is the creation and retention of job opportunities, diversification and strengthening of Oswego County’s economic base, and developing the local economy in a planned, organized, and environmentally compatible manner.

GOALS:

  • To create new employment opportunities through the attraction and creation of new businesses;
  • To create new employment opportunities through the expansion of existing businesses;
  • To retain existing employment opportunities;
  • To enhance and encourage capital investment by new and expanding businesses;
  • To increase the County’s tax base;
  • To help stabilize and diversify the County’s local economy;
  • To help facilitate the development of essential services and businesses generally lacking in the County;
  • To recognize the importance of the overall multipier economic impacts of projects;
  • To target financial assistance to key industrial clusters critical to the County’s economy, including manufacturing, health care, education, tourism, energy, and agribusiness;
  • To support the nuclear industry in Upstate New York through the Upstate Energy Jobs Coalition;
  • To leverage the greatest level of private and non-IDA financial assistance as possible;
  • To coordinate efforts to help improve the competitive position of businesses and spur initiatives that help to improve the overall business climate;
  • To work cooperatively with local governments, economic development partners and school districts to further economic development progress;
  • To advance Oswego County's economy through regional cooperation and collaboration;
  • To enhance media and educational outreach initiatives; and to improve the quality of life in Oswego County.
  • The issuance of Private Activity Bonds (tax-exempt or taxable bonds) to finance eligible manufacturing and commercial projects.
  • To help support and work cooperatively with the Oswego County Civic Facilities Corporation to help finance eligible not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizations' projects with Civic Facility Revenue Bonds.
  • The issuance of tax-exempt revenue bonds for pollution control facilities.
  • The issuance of tax-exempt revenue bonds for other projects that are eligible for financing in compliance with federal and NYS legislation.
  • Providing to eligible and qualified businesses exemptions from real property taxes, sales and use taxes, and mortgage recording taxes consistent with the County of Oswego IDA's Uniform Tax Exemption Policy and in compliance with NYS legislation.
  • Providing financial assistance to micro-enterprise businesses utilizing the County of Oswego IDA's Micro-Enterprise Economic Development Fund.Partnering with IDAs and EDOs in CNY to support the CNY REDC's efforts to secure CFA funding and utilize URI funding.
  • Providing financial assistance to eligible and qualified businesses utilizing the County of Oswego IDA’s PILOT Economic Development Fund and HUD Economic Development Fund.Utilizing the County of Oswego IDA's General Economic Development Fund to enhance economic development initiatives and strategies.
  • Providing financial assistance to eligible and qualified businesses utilizing the USDA Intermediary Relending Program (IRP). Serving as a conduit, as appropriate, to apply for and secure Federal and State government grants and/or loans for economic development projects
  • Assisting in acquiring, constructing, and renovating necessary and appropriate real estate, working in cooperation with Operation Oswego County, Inc., to enhance and further economic development, including industrial park properties, incubator facilities, spec buildings, and sites, etc.
  • Collecting and distributing PILOT payments to taxing authorities in accordance with the General Municipal Law of the State of New York.
  • Complying with the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) on all projects assisted by the County of Oswego IDA.Working in partnership with government, education, labor, business and economic development agencies to maximize development potential and sustainability of the economy in Oswego County.
  • To be in compliance with all reporting and policy requirements specified by the NYS GML, NYS Office of the State Comptroller, NYS ABO and the NYS PAL.

Austin Wheelock, CEcD
CEO, County of Oswego IDA
Professional Background:
CEcD certified through IEDC; serves as Executive Director of Operation Oswego County Inc.; has over 20 years experience in economic development.

 

Kevin LaMontagne
CFO, County of Oswego IDA
Professional Background:
Business Finance Director for Operation Oswego County Inc.; has served as a CFO and has extensive experience in finance and operations at small-to medium-sized family-owned firms, as well as international businesses; former member and past president of the Operation Oswego County Board of Directors.

Kevin Caracioli
General Counsel

Barclay Damon
Bond Counsel

Executive Management
Mary Ellen Chesbro
Appointed March 14, 2024
Professional Background:
Oswego County Legislature, District 10; current Chair of the Legislature's Economic Development and Planning Committee and current member of the Legislature's Public Safety Committee; member of Emmel Farms; former Coordinator of NYS Fair Agriculture Department

 

Garry Stanard
Appointed March 14, 2024
Professional Background:
Town of Volney Supervisor; Managing member of Gosch Supply and Lighting Centre

 

Patrick CarrollAppointed March 14, 2024
Professional Background:
Former business manager, United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters, Local 81
Tricia Peter-Clark
Appointed September 15, 2022
Professional Background:
President/Chief Executive Officer at ConnextCare; former Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer at ConnextCare.

 

Tim Stahl (Secretary/Treasurer)
Appointed December 13, 2018
Professional Background:
Director of Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism & Planning

 

 

Nick Canale, Jr. (Chair)
Appointed June 13, 2013
Professional Background:
President of Canale's Restaurant;
Vice President of Canale's Sauce Company; member of Canale's Italian Take Out LLC

 

Marc Greco (Vice Chair)
Appointed March 16, 2022
Professional Background:
Criminal Justice Instructor at Cayuga Community College; Former Oswego County Legislator, former chair of the Legislature's Public Safety Committee and former member of the Legislature's Health Committee

 

 

Board of Directors

Governance:
Date established: 8/26/2025        
Members: Nick Canale, Jr. (Chair), Pat Carroll, Mary Ellen Chesbro, and Garry Stanard

Audit:
Date established: 8/25/2025          
Members: Marc Greco (Chair), Nick Canale, Jr., Pat Carroll, Tricia Peter-Clark, and Tim Stahl

Finance:
Date established: 8/26/2025          
Members: Tim Stahl (Chair), Nick Canale, Jr., Mary Ellen Chesbro, Tricia Peter-Clark, and Garry Stanard

Committees