The Port of Oswego Authority and Saint Lawrence Seaway officials are celebrating the release of a first-of-its kind report on the economic impact of shipping in the Great Lakes-Saint Lawrence system.
The study showed that in upstate New York, maritime cargo system supports some 2000 jobs resulting in nearly $174 million in income and $52 million in tax revenues.
Port Authority Director Jonathan Daniels says Oswego is a big part of that, supporting more than 500 jobs and $38 million in business revenue. He says the last estimate a decade ago of the port’s “total” economic impact was $6-7 million.
“When I came in here 4 and a half years ago, I was walking through town and someone noticed me from my picture in the paper,” said Daniels. “They said ‘Oh, you’re going to be running that little port at the end of the street,’ so I chucked and said ‘Yes and we’re going to do our best to have an impact in the community.’ This isn’t bad for a little port at the end of the street.”
Daniels says these are basic numbers that only considered the port’s marine terminal activities, not its recreational and marina businesses. Officials say the report will help to justify future expansion and development requests.