Oswego County, with its international port, skilled workforce, and nationally recognized institutions of higher education, is one of New York state's hidden economic gems. National Grid has played a pivotal role in driving economic growth in Oswego County for decades, and has recently approved or awarded a series of economic development grants that will create or retain 231 jobs.

The company has been honored twice with the Ally Award from Operation Oswego County, an economic development agency serving local businesses. Over the past five years, National Grid has provided grants to high-profile projects, including the Litatro and Riverwalk Buildings, and has made significant investments in the county’s advanced manufacturing sector.

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Statistics, Oswego County boasts the 23rd largest gross domestic product in New York, amounting to $8.5 billion. This figure surpasses that of more populous counties like Chautauqua and Jefferson. Strategically positioned between the Syracuse Metropolitan area and the U.S.-Canadian border, Oswego County enjoys direct access to Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence Seaway, Interstate 81, and key rail corridors, making it a prime location for sustained economic growth and regional connectivity.

“Investments in Oswego County are more than just financial commitments — they’re catalysts for transformation,” said Alberto Bianchetti, National Grid’s Regional Director of External Affairs. “At National Grid, we believe that reliable energy infrastructure and targeted grant programs empower local businesses to grow, attract new employers, and revitalize historic spaces. These investments help make Oswego County a place where innovation meets opportunity, and where communities thrive because we invest in their potential.”

A closed modular cell system produced by BioSpherix

National Grid recently completed two grants to Oswego County businesses:

• BioSpherix, Ltd. of Parish will renew its participation in National Grid’s Manufacturing Productivity Program, which provides financial assistance and sustainable solutions to companies committed to lean manufacturing and growth-related projects to eliminate waste and increase productivity. The $34,200 grant will aid the company, which produces advanced cell and tissue culture technologies, in refining its sales processes by providing training to its team to ensure repeatable revenue growth. The company will also consult with experts to develop an optimal layout for its manufacturing plant to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
• Market House Oswego, LLC received a $100,000 Main Street Revitalization grant to support the rehabilitation and renovation of the Market House building on Water Street near West Bridge Street. The federalist-style building, constructed in 1837, served as the Oswego city hall in the mid-1800s, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Now owned by Oswego businessman Ed Alberts, the property overlooking the Oswego River has been converted into a mixed-use facility with market-rate apartments and a new brewery and restaurant on the first floor.
  
  The Main Street Revitalization program assists businesses investing in central business districts and corridors.

The Market House in Oswego, N.Y.

National Grid has also approved four other grants for development in the county.

• Beck’s Hotel in Mexico will benefit from a $100,000 Main Street Revitalization grant. The hotel, which closed more than 20 years ago, will be renovated to create a mixed-use space that includes a boutique hotel, restaurant, café, and residential apartments. Developers Patrick Furlong Jr. and Gregory Furlong purchased the property in 2025 and expect the project to create both construction jobs and long-term employment on the property.
• The City of Fulton Community Development Agency will receive a Brownfield Redevelopment Assistance grant to conduct soil and groundwater testing and site abatement at the former Nestle plant on South Fourth Street. The $25,000 grant will support a full Phase II Environmental Site Assessment to determine levels of contamination, and whether construction and occupation are feasible at the site.
• Daldrop SBB LLC, which manufactures architecture components for clean rooms and electrical control panels, will receive a $209,000 grant from National Grid’s Electric Capital Investment Program. This grant stream offsets customer costs of upgrading utility infrastructure related to business expansion. Daldrop SBB plans to build a 32,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Phoenix, marking the company’s largest expansion outside of Germany. The expansion will create at least 20 new jobs while retaining 45 positions.
• Strongback Brewing Company received a $100,000 Main Street Revitalization grant to convert the former Oswego Freight House on West Utica Street to a brewery and taproom. The 175-year-old building was once part of the Oswego & Syracuse Railroad and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was updated to address structural deficiencies and accommodate a 10-barrel brewing system, making it the largest brewer in the county.

The former Oswego Freight House

“Economic development programs are about unlocking potential,” said Katie Newcombe, National Grid’s Director of Economic Development. “These initiatives bring opportunity to create vibrant places and strong manufacturers, and when we invest alongside our partners like Oswego County, we invest in the resilience and future of our entire state.”

Supporting business growth in our local communities is the goal of National Grid’s economic development programs. Since 2003, we have provided more than $150 million in economic development grant funding to projects in upstate NY, helping to create or retain nearly 75,000 jobs and leverage more than $12 billion in other private and public investments.

National Grid was named a Top Utility in Economic Development in 2023 by Site Selection magazine. The publication cited the company’s body of work and specifically recognized its efforts in upstate New York. More information about National Grid’s suite of programs is available at www.shovelready.com.

About National Grid

National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a smarter, stronger, cleaner energy future — transforming our networks with more reliable and resilient energy solutions to meet state climate goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.