If you have looked around town lately, you may have noticed numerous construction sites, heavy machinery and signs signifying new businesses and expansions coming into the Port City.

The Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce held their annual Small Business Breakfast at Thunder Island Oasis in Fulton, Thursday morning. Many local dignitaries, officials and members of the business community were on hand to honor and salute the efforts of small businesses across Oswego County.

Although the new fiscal year for the Port of Oswego Authority kicked off just one month ago, business continues to follow a positive trend experienced at the port in recent years.

A month ago, a young business owner opened one of Oswego’s few niche stores, Tastebuds, a soda shop located at 137 W. Second St.

Although the Sterling Renaissance Festival has changed hands, the historic local summer festival will continue as usual, according to new owner Doug Waterbury.

The M/V Stephen B. Roman is a rare sight at the Port of Oswego in February as the vessel discharges 6,000 tons of cement at the West Terminal, while in the background port personnel continue loading Cargill salt. The port loaded more than 30 million pounds of salt last week alone.

The Rotary District 7150 Group Student Exchange (GSE) team flew out Saturday for India’s District 3200 as part of The Rotary International Group Study Exchange program.

With several projects and upgrades scheduled over the course of the coming months, the year looks to be a busy one for the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning.

A deck which will offer a fabulous third-story elevated view of the Oswego River and harbor is planned to be completed for Memorial Day Weekend 2008 at G.S Steamers Bar and Grill, located in the Econo Lodge Inn and Suites Riverfront Hotel in Oswego.

Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo announced Friday a settlement forcing an auto dealer to pay off loans on vehicles traded-in and to repair the credit reports of consumers who were adversely affected by the dealer’s delinquent payments.

The Furbush Agency, 90 Main St., Camden, an affiliate of Eastern Shore Associates Insurance (ESA), a Trusted Choice® agency, was purchased by Katie and David Stone of Camden, Robert K. Wallace, agency president and CEO.

International energy delivery company National Grid has become a Founding Reporter of The Climate Registry by being among the first to join.

Dick Delaney, campaign coordinator for the Novelis Employee Campaign in support of the United Way recently presented Melanie Trexler, executive director of the United Way of Greater Oswego County, with the results of their campaign. Novelis’ campaign finished at 117 percent of its goal, which combined with the donations from retired Novelis employees and the company match from Novelis Corporate, raised more than $124,000 for the United Way.

In a distinct break from conventional banking practices, KeyBank has begun cashing government and payroll checks for residents without bank accounts in Central and Northern New York.

The third annual Warm Up Oswego Festival is slated to kick off Feb. 2 with sizzling entertainers, a spicy dance competition and blazing fireworks.