Over $ 11 million in federal funding will help the Port of Oswego replace its decades-old warehouse.
US Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced on Wednesday that $11,250,000 will go toward creating the Great Lakes’ first climate-controlled warehouse at a port with access to rail, road, and water.
“The Port of Oswego is a major gateway for industry for all of Upstate NY, and today it got a major boost to help the region grow. I’m proud to secure a whopping $11+ million from our Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Law to help create the first climate-controlled warehouse at a Great Lakes Port right here in Central NY,” said Senator Schumer. “Strong port infrastructure like this is essential for Upstate NY’s booming chips, manufacturing, agriculture, and other industries. This new state of the art storage facility will mean more business at our port, access to critical infrastructure to help industries grow in the area, and new opportunities to create more jobs, jobs, jobs. It’s full steam ahead for the Port of Oswego!”
Currently, the port operates a 40,000 sq ft timber-framed warehouse built in the 1980s. The south end of the warehouse collapsed in 2013 during a snowstorm. Even with repairs, the building remains in bad shape with much space left underutilized.
The new structure will be steel-framed and metal-clad. It will feature 22,500 sq ft of climate-controlled storage space for items sensitive to humidity and temperature, allowing for climate control from just above freezing to 70 degrees.
“Strong port infrastructure is crucial to ensure seamless transport of commodities that help New York’s economy thrive,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This critical grant will help modernize the Port of Oswego, allowing for the construction of a new climate-controlled warehouse and the replacement of an existing guard house at the port. I’m proud to have helped secure this funding, and I will continue working to send federal dollars to New York for the modernization of our infrastructure.”
It’s hoped the new warehouse will assist with Upstate’s growing semiconductor, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing industries. For example, the port will be able to store climate-sensitive goods, such as chemicals and gasses used in microchip manufacturing to assist Micron in neighboring Onondaga County as well as wind and solar energy components.
Funding will also be used to help replace the guardhouse at the port enhancing safety for personnel and freight.
The new warehouse project is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Law.
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