Village of Oswego Receives Assistance for Market Analysis and Economic Development Plan

What businesses does Oswego want? What retailers or industries would be a good fit for the town?

The Village of Oswego plans to find out.

The Village recently submitted an application to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s (CMAP) Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program, said village administrator Steve Jones.

The program assists communities in undertaking planning projects.

Community development director Rod Zenner submitted an application for assistance for a market analysis and economic development study for Oswego and learned that the application was approved.

“With this we can identity what businesses we have here, where we’re losing business elsewhere and what we might need,” said Jones.

The village is hoping to find with the study both retail and office and industrial needs that can be met.

CMAP will most likely not be starting the project until closer to mid-spring or even mid-summer, said Jones.

“This program will be a great tool for our future economic development director,” added village president Brian LeClercq.

Previous economic development director Tony Lucenko left the village back in October 2012 after starting the positioning August 2011.

As to the current search for a new director, Jones said they may have one as soon as the end of January.

“The second round of interviews is over and we have some really great candidates with a lot of experience,” said Jones.

More information on the LTA program and its Oswego project will be available at the next board meeting, scheduled for Jan. 22 at 7 p.m.