E-Malt.com News article: USA, NY: The Oswego Beer Project awarded $500,000 in grants and tax credits

A plan to open a new craft brewery in the city of Oswego has been awarded $500,000 in state economic development grants and tax credits, Syracuse.com reported on April 8.

The money is contingent on the project moving forward, and there are requirements such as job creation to receive the full amount.

The Oswego Beer Project would be located in the American Foundry building at 246 W. Seneca St. That building has most recently been home to an event venue, which is now closed.

“The Oswego Beer Project brewery will manufacture up to 20 flavors of locally crafted beer & seltzer drinks including seasonal flavors for local and NYS distribution,” according to a listing of new grants approved by the state’s Regional Economic Development Council.

The money has been awarded to the project’s developer, Strategic Domains LLC. It’s packaged in two separate grants: A $300,00 Empire State Development grant and $200,000 in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits.

The money would be used to renovate the building and launch the brewery, the state’s listing said.

Details of the brewery project are still being worked out, said Ed Alberts, CEO of Strategic Domains. He did not disclose the estimated total cost of the project.

“We are working through details of the feasibility of the project,” Alberts responded to an email inquiry from syracuse.com. He said more information will come “if the project is moving forward.”

Alberts’ other local business interests include Riverwalk Oswego, F45 Training fitness centers and Little Lukes childcare centers, according to his LinkedIn page.

New York state is now home to more than 500 breweries (and for the first time in decades there are more breweries than wineries).

There are now three breweries with active licenses in Oswego County, according to the State Liquor Authority: Junco Brewing, 37 Cemetery Road, Oswego; U.S. Brewing at The Cellar Door, 17 W. Cayuga St. in Oswego; and 6 Acres Farm Brewery at Behling Orchards, 330 Johnson Road in Mexicos.

The Oswego Beer Project grants were among $38 million in new economic development money awarded to 47 recipients around the state, according to an announcement this week by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

For the year, Empire State Development has awarded $150 million in grants and the Excelsior Jobs Program awarded $75 million in tax credits, Hochul’s office said.


08 April, 2022