The Otsego County Development Corp. appeared several times in the news during 2009. The corporation was part of the reason why the redevelopment of the former Bresee's Department Store building got under way and will continue into 2010.
The OCDC today is under the umbrella of the Otsego County Economic Development Department. The corporation began 50 years ago this past August. A number of businesses we know today got their start or expanded in the area because of the corporation's efforts.
According to The Oneonta Star of Saturday, Aug. 15, 1959, "Yesterday, a report was given on the status of the newly organized Otsego County Development Corp., formed to help bring new industry into Otsego and Delaware Counties, also to assist in expansion of existing industries."
The report showed the OCDC had 13 members who put up $5,800, and that a drive to get more members and money was under way. Memberships were as follows; Class A: $100, Class B: $250, Class C: $500, Class D: $750 and Class E: $1,000.
Elton P. Hall, the temporary president, explained that "the Development Corporation provides a medium whereby property for industrial development can be acquired and developed, and buildings for industrial use can be built, leased or rented."
By Aug. 25, there were more than 20 members, and $8,100 had been raised. The corporation continued to grow, and eventually a permanent board of directors and officers was elected.
An early success was reported in the Star on July 30, 1962.
"Astrocom, an electronics firm formed by three Oneontans, is now in production in the city.
"The new firm, which utilizes the top two floors of the old telephone company building at 1 Dietz St., has 16 persons in its employ and has plans for expanding the present staff."
Astrocom began production in June of that year and grew. The three men were Derwood Lifgren, Bruce Shearer and Henry Hulbert. It was announced Aug. 31, 1965, that Astrocom would occupy a new plant in Colliersville, providing space to double its work force. The OCDC assisted in financing the new plant. A public bond sale was also conducted in September.
When Astrocom left the Dietz St. building, it had 89 employees. By the end of 1966, it had 175 workers.
The Star reported May 13, 1966 "Custom Electronics of Unadilla, expects to be in operation in Oneonta by October, the firm's president said Thursday.
"Peter S. Dokuchitz, an Oneonta native and president of the company, was joined by Elton Hall, president of the Otsego County Development Corp., and Harold deGraw, president of the Greater Oneonta Chamber of Commerce in making the announcement."
A proposed single-story metal building was planned for what was then-called the New York State Electric & Gas Co.'s Industrial Park, now called Browne Street, in Oneonta's West End.
Dokuchitz had 11 employees in Unadilla at the time, and the new building, to cost $30,000, would allow space for 50 workers. There have been building expansions since, as well as a recently created spinoff of Custom Electronics, called Ioxus, a manufacturer of ultracapacitors, found on Winney Hill Road.
"What many Oneontans call the biggest story of 1966 in Oneonta broke Dec.r 19 when the prestigious Corning Glass Works announced the establishment of a plant in the Sixth Ward," reported the Star on Jan. 31, 1967.
"Corning announced the move at a dinner meeting in the Oasis Restaurant," now a Chinese buffet restaurant on Chestnut Street, "when executives revealed the purchase of the 70,000 square foot former Enterprise Aluminum plant and plans to employ from 70 to more than 200 workers to make a new glass-ceramic wall surfacing."
Once again, the OCDC was in on the negotiations with Corning, along with the Chamber of Commerce and NYSEG.
Astrocom, Custom Electronics and Corning Inc. are still part of our local economy today. This is only a partial list of OCDC successes, and to be fair, there were a few failures during the corporation's first 50 years.
This weekend: The column enters its 12th year in The Daily Star, beginning with the Central Hotel Fire of 1910.
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City Historian Mark Simonson's column appears twice weekly. On Saturdays, his column focuses on the area during the Depression and before. His Monday columns address local history after the Depression. If you have feedback or ideas about the column, write to him at The Daily Star, or e-mail him at simmark@stny.rr.com. His website is www.oneontahistorian.com.
