Oswego County- Focused Minority Business Support Study Shares Ways to Strengthen Inclusive Growth

The Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GOFCC) by CenterState CEO, in partnership with Oswego County Federal Credit Union, Upstate Minority Economic Alliance (UMEA) and Third Eye Network, shared a detailed presentation of the Minority Business Support Needs Study at a recent community event. Attendees received access to the study’s key findings, engaged in a forward-looking discussion on next steps, and helped shape solutions to build a more inclusive, resilient local economy.  

This study is a critical step toward expanding opportunity and strengthening support for minority- and women-owned businesses (MWBEs) across Oswego County. It demonstrates that inclusive economic development is both an equity imperative and a competitive strategy. The report proposes fourteen interlocking recommendations organized around sector development, institutional infrastructure and inclusive capital. Central actions include:

• Establishing five industry “pods” in food and semiconductor manufacturing, childcare, hospitality and tourism, retail, and construction trades.
• Creating a comprehensive MWBE directory and rotating MWBE Office Hours.
• Formalizing UMEA’s physical presence in Oswego County.
• Building a shared digital intake system (e.g., SourceLink Enterprise) and certification-acceleration programs.
• Expanding OCFCU’s inclusive financial products such as micro-loans, revenue-based advances, and purchase-order financing.
• Developing a shared back-office service model and exploring a 700,000-sq-ft Oswego County Center for Economic Gardening that integrates incubation, food manufacturing, and co-working space.
• Leveraging the Port of Oswego, childcare investment funds, and workforce pipelines—including “Build While You Learn” housing initiatives—to reinforce inclusive prosperity.

“This research will help create a need dialogue to drive a common strategy around what comes next,” said Sara Broadwell, executive director of the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce. “If we want a strong and vibrant local economy, we need to ensure every business owner has access to what they need to grow and succeed. We encourage everyone to join us and share their voice as we develop a clear plan that will drive future business growth in Oswego County.”

The study was funded by Oswego County Federal Credit Union and conducted in partnership with UMEA, Third Eye Network and the GOFCC. It comes as Oswego County is experiencing a level of investment and growth not seen in generations. As opportunities expand across the county, it is critical that minority- and women-owned businesses can fully participate in this growth.

“UMEA is dedicated to supporting the growth of minority-owned businesses,” said Sheena Solomon, executive director of the Gifford Foundation and chair of the UMEA Board of Directors. “This dedication aligns directly with the Oswego project, which focuses time and resources on research to inform programming and services for MWBEs. We are proud to be a partner in this important work.”

This initiative reflects a growing recognition that diverse entrepreneurship is essential to long-term regional growth. Minority- and women-owned businesses often face systemic barriers, including limited access to capital, networks and technical resources. By identifying these challenges through direct community input, the study provides a roadmap for targeted programs, policy alignment and sustained investment in underserved business communities.

“Our responsibility was to listen carefully and elevate what we heard into a framework for action,” said Dr. Lomax R. Campbell, president and chief executive officer of Third Eye Network, the study’s lead research partner. “The recommendations in this report create an opportunity for Oswego County to ensure minority- and women-owned businesses are fully included in the region’s economic opportunities.”

“We are extremely excited to share the findings generated from this study,” said Bill Carhart, chief executive officer, Oswego County Federal Credit Union. “This is more than a presentation; it’s the beginning of an exciting new chapter for business growth and collaboration in Oswego County.”