Picente 2025 Wishlist Address for Oneida County

Proposes 400,000 Square Foot Multi-purpose Indoor Sports & Recreation Facility at Griffiss International Airport

 VERONA — Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. delivered his 2025 State of the County Address today at the Shenedoah Club House at Turning Stone Resort Casino, proposing a 400,000 square foot multi-purpose indoor sports and recreation facility at Griffiss International Airport and plans for a food hub at the REA Wing of Union Station, an Artificial Intelligence Task Force and job training, housing and childcare initiatives.

THE RUNWAY

Picente said he has decided to go in a different direction with vacant hangar space at Griffiss International Airport, and proposed renovating 400,000 square feet into a multi-purpose indoor sports and recreation facility for youth tournament-based play to attract national and international visitors.

Dubbed “The Runway,” the facility would host tournaments for lacrosse, soccer, baseball, softball, flag football, basketball, volleyball, pickleball, tennis, wrestling and gymnastics. On top of the recreation component, Picente said the County will plan for many other amenities to be included, such as lodging, cafes, restaurants – and the possibility of a distillery and brewery.

“All aspects of tourism are a gigantic and vital part of our economy,” Picente said. “We already know we can bring people here from all over the country and the world and we need to embrace and strengthen this reality. The Runway and its many attractions will do just that. This will be the largest facility of its kind in New York State and the second largest in the nation.”

ONEIDA COUNTY FOOD HUB

Building off an announcement made in the 2023 State of the County Address, Picente announced that plans have been drawn up to transform the REA Wing of Union Station in Utica into food hub destination.

The long-term vision complements the nationally-recognized Oneida County Public Market to include a food incubator and event space, creating a unique community hub and tourist attraction. An overview and renderings of the Oneida County Food Hub can be viewed here.

AI TASK FORCE

Picente proposed the creation of an artificial intelligence task force to explore AI's integration and impact on government operations, private industry and residents. The goal being to foster education, ethical implementation and proactive policy making in order to position Oneida County as a leader in the AI-driven future.

“We continue to be innovative in our approach to government and our delivery of services,” Picente said. “We are focused on a rapidly changing technological future. Artificial Intelligence must be understood, utilized and integrated into what we do and how we do it. We have to embrace this future not only as a government, but as a community. This technology’s capabilities may well be limitless, and I refuse to have us left behind.”

JOB TRAINING, HOUSING & CHILDCARE

With Turning Stone Enterprises’ $700 million Evolution expansion progressing in Verona and construction on Chobani’s $1.2 billion production facility soon to get underway in Rome, Picente said the County must be ready to fill the demand.

“The need for workers in these areas has never been higher,” Picente said “A good problem to have, but one that needs solving.  Our goals are simple. We need to ensure residents are prepared and prioritized for these job opportunities — and many others — build long-term workforce resilience and align workforce development efforts with our employer needs.”

He said the County will launch a multimedia campaign and work with Mohawk Valley Community College, the Workforce Investment Board and others to create the needed training programs.

“We are going to make sure everyone who wants one of these jobs knows about them, can be properly trained for them and will be hired to fill them,” he added “We will go door-to-door if we have to.”

Picente said the major barriers to employment in the County remain housing and childcare.

A Housing Inventory Assessment was commissioned in the summer of 2023 and the strategy report was finalized this past March. The County Executive highlighted two initiatives that are currently being implemented:

A new housing tax exemption policy created through the Oneida County Industrial Development Agency focused on developing new housing.

A countywide infrastructure development program called “Build Ready Oneida County” that will make housing sites shovel ready.

New programs are also being put into action as a result of last year’s Childcare Task Force Report. A child navigator position was funded to help connect families with daycare and the County’s Daycare Startup Grant Program has created nearly 100 new daycare slots in just six months.

This summer, the County will launch the “Every Child, Every Family, Every Day” campaign that will feature:

A collaboration with MVCC to generate more childcare workers through a micro credential program.

A multifaceted public relations campaign that will:

Rebrand and promote the use of Oneida County’s childcare subsidy that will be available to families of four making up to $96,000.

Promote the County’s family daycare grant and MVCC childcare programs.