First port of call on the Great Lakes from the St. Lawrence Seaway
Candidate for Congress Kim Myers toured the Port of Oswego this week to learn more about it and its economic impact on the area. It’s located right on Lake Ontario and accessible from any port in the world!
Myers received a briefing from port, business and education leaders, and then toured the port with Zelko Kirincich, Executive Director and CEO.
The economic impact of the port on the Oswego area cannot be underestimated. The cargo handled here generates more than $40 million dollars in wages, salaries and related spending, and millions of dollars more in taxes.
About 10 million bushels of grain come through the port each year, but it can’t be exported because it doesn’t have the necessary designation from the USDA. The port is in the process of obtaining the necessary designation with the help of SUNY Oswego and with the help of elected leaders. The port expects to export grain in late 2016 and early 2017.
“This is a wonderful asset for the people of the 22nd Congressional district and especially for the people of Oswego,” said Myers. “As a Congresswoman I will do everything possible to help it grow.”
The port handles, stores and moves more than a million tons annually, with commodities such as aluminum, recycled material, steel, and grains like corn, wheat and soybeans and much more – both domestic and international shippers.
It offers virtual year-round access to various Northeastern U.S. industrial and agricultural markets. As an ice-free port, it can receive vessel traffic all 12 months, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.