On Monday, November 16th, the Oneonta Town Planning Board approved the proposed site plan for the Oneonta Business Park, clearing the way for future business expansion. The Planning Board approved a plan for mixed use development that translates into up to 400,000 square feet of building space, 170 parking spaces, and an opportunity to attract businesses that will create new, high-quality jobs.

Sandy Mathes, CEO of Otsego Now, said in his press statement: “Gaining these approvals is critical to the ability of the Otsego IDA to effectively market the site and give confidence to the development community that a shovel can get in the ground in a 30-90 day timeframe, depending on the complexity of the site plan and company readiness.”
With the Planning Board approval, Otsego Now will be able to respond quickly and positively when site selectors and developers contact us for information about moving their operations to Oneonta or possibly building an additional facility here. In addition, we will now be able to actively market Oneonta and Otsego County to site selectors, developers and business decision-makers because there is a fully shovel-ready site available.

Mr. Mathes has often said that economic development is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. That is very true and it would be irresponsible to lead our constituents to expect instant miracles. But, with this approval, we have reached our first milestone and we’re ready to keep running.