General Economy
The City of Oneonta has grown from an Indian council site, to trading post, to
city, to the educational, cultural, business, retail and professional center for
the tri-county area (e.g., Otsego, Delaware, and Schoharie Counties). It has
become the economic, educational, social service/medical, and recreational hub
of this region of New York State. This trend is substantiated by the level of
tax exempt property in the City. Approximately 52 percent or 931.25 acres of the
real property in the City is classified as tax exempt. Tax exempt status has
been granted to a wide range of property including churches, schools, medical
facilities, government agencies, and social service agencies. This is a clear
indication that the City is a hub and provides numerous accessible services,
located in proximity to downtown and to the bus system.
Major Employers and Labor Force
The City of Oneonta contains a number of significantly
large employers which employ many residents as well as
persons living outside of the City of Oneonta. Major
employers include A.O. Fox Hospital, Hartwick College,
SUNY Oneonta, the Oneonta Job Corps Center, New York
State Electric and Gas (NYSEG), Verizon, Corning
Corporation, Wilber National Bank, the Association of
Retarded Citizens (ARC), NBT Bank, Astrocom Electronics, F.N. Burt Company, Custom
Electronics, The Daily Star, Key Bank, and the Mold-A-Matic
Corporation. The retail and service sectors also employ
a significant number of residents. Additionally, many of
the surrounding school districts, Otsego County and City
of Oneonta governments employ a significant number of
City and non-City residents. The
tourism industry
also is a source of significant employment opportunities
in and around the City of Oneonta.There has been positive growth in certain sectors of the City's labor force:
Managerial and Professional; Technical, Sales, Administration and Service
Occupations. The increase in these sectors reflects the general growth the City
has experienced in the educational, medical, and general support professions.
There has also been a significant growth in industry types relating to
Commercial and Wholesale Trade; Finance, Insurance and Real Estate; Business and
Repair Services; and the Professional and Related Service Category, especially
in education.
Industry
Since the mid - 1980's, Oneonta has seen a dramatic rise
in industrial manufacturing. Large industry and
businesses have found Oneonta an attractive location for
several reasons. First, the City is geographically close
to major markets (e.g., downstate, Pennsylvania,
Canada). Second, Interstate 88 and Interstate 90 make
transportation of goods and raw materials to and from
Oneonta easy. Third, municipal water and sewer systems
and expansive natural gas resources are easily
accessible. Fourth, the region provides a rural setting
not far from major cities but with more affordable land
and labor. Fifth, lower operational costs. Last and most
importantly, businesses find the work ethic of residents
to be outstanding and well above the national averages.The City of Oneonta and the County of Otsego Industrial Development Agency (COIDA)
have initiated a basic marketing plan to attract international investment to
Oneonta and to assist local businesses in the global economy. These trends are
evident in the attraction of Siemens USA, a German company, that has a
cooperative relationship with Medical Coaches in the Pony Farm Industrial Park.
Seeley's Ceramics has recently expanded its world markets into Europe and
Mexico.
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