Community News

Oswego County Legislature Chairman James Weatherup on Monday announced an emergency declaration aimed at extinguishing a long smoldering silo fire at the former Miller Brewing and Attis Ethanol facility in the Town of Volney.

The declaration marks a new beginning for the underutilized industrial site that once served as an economic engine for the region.

Weatherup, District 9, was joined by state, county and local officials at the site Monday after signing an emergency order that paves the way for crews to put out the smoldering silo fire, and the Chairman announced a deal between the county Legislature and Highscore Capital has been signed and filed. The agreement with Highscore Capital, which is a creditor owed millions by former property owner Attis, is set to bring a new, reputable firm to the facility.

“Today is a new beginning for a site that has sat vacant for more than two years and for even longer has not lived up to its full potential,” Chairman Weatherup said. “Extinguishing the silo fire is the most immediate action we take today, but that action will jumpstart a partnership with Highscore Capital that will ultimately lead to the redevelopment of this site and its return to productive use. We expect this property will soon be transferred to a reputable firm that will once again employ Oswego County residents and be an asset to the Volney and Fulton communities.”

Actions taken by the county Legislature last week allowed for the mobilization of a team of contractors to put out the smoldering fire, and county officials moved quickly to set aside funds to pay for the extinguishment of the fire. Chairman Weatherup’s emergency order is the final move that makes putting the fire out possible.

“With property abandoned, taxes owed, a fire burning on premise, and previous owners unreachable, the future of this facility looked bleak just a few short months ago. But under the capable direction of Chairman Weatherup, the county has done what seemed insurmountable and has taken possession of this property with the hope of creating jobs and bringing this facility back to productive use,” said Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski). “Throughout the ordeal, my office has worked with county leaders, state officials, federal representatives, local governments and fire personnel to offer support to see this complicated situation resolved. After such a long ordeal, and on behalf of the many residents in the Town of Volney and City of Fulton who have been bothered by the burning corn silo, it is a relief to be standing here today. With this property in the county’s hands, we look forward to the odor being eliminated and a better future at this site. My office will continue to do what it can to support the plans for the future of this facility.”

Oswego County Legislature Vice Chairperson Linda Lockwood, who represents the Town of Volney, said the county’s actions are the first step toward the site’s revitalization and return to an economic engine for the town, county and region.

“Our first move is to put out the smoldering silo fire that has been a nuisance to nearby residents for months, but we’re also taking immediate action to set this property on a path of productivity,” said Lockwood, District 11. “We’re providing immediate relief to the residents of Volney and Fulton, and our agreement with Highscore will result in new ownership of the facility. We’re optimistic these efforts will ultimately create desirable jobs, turn this property into a resource and complement other positive developments in the area.”

The former Miller Brewing site is uniquely positioned to capitalize on current market conditions that have seen rising oil and energy costs across the globe. Minimal renovations are needed to manufacture ethanol at the Volney site, which was used for ethanol production as recently as early 2020.

Highscore, a Brooklyn-based financial services firm, is negotiating with a Fortune 500 energy firm interested in restarting ethanol production at the facility. The county is working closely with Highscore to ensure that deal is completed, and the actions taken today will make the property more attractive to any prospective buyer. County officials are confident the redevelopment of the site is right around the corner.

The forthcoming redevelopment of the former Miller Brewing/Attis Ethanol site is another positive for southern Oswego County, specifically the Town of Volney and City of Fulton, the latter of which is undergoing a $10 million injection into its downtown after winning the state Downtown Revitalization Initiative in 2020.

“This site will play a critical role in the resurgence of southern Oswego County and the City of Fulton, which is already underway,” Weatherup said. “The City of Fulton and our region have a rich history of manufacturing, and this industrial site will play a significant role in continuing that tradition and creating good-paying jobs. Coupled with the development next door at the Riverview Business Park and the anticipated spillover from Micron’s multi-billion-dollar investment just miles from the southern Oswego County border, this area is poised for a rebirth.”