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Labor Statistics for the Central New York Region Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga and Oswego

For the 12-month period ending April 2013, the private sector job count in the Syracuse metro area rose 3,000, or 1.2 percent, to 257,900. Job growth was concentrated in educational and health services (+2,200), trade, transportation, and utilities (+800), natural resources, mining, and construction (+400), other services (+300), leisure and hospitality (+200), and professional and business services (+200). Job losses occurred in manufacturing (-700), financial activities (-300), and information (-100). The government job count rose (+500) over the year, mainly in state and local government education.

Of Special Interest to the Central New York Region:

Central New York's Economic Recovery Continues

by Karen Knapik-Scalzo, Associate Economist, Central New York
(Excerpted from the April 2013 issue of the Employment in New York State newsletter)

From 2011 to 2012, the Syracuse metro area (Madison, Onondaga and Oswego counties) continued to make progress as it added back private sector jobs that were lost during the national recession. One factor contributing to local growth has been resurgence in the City of Syracuse. Construction and business activity are picking up there, and the value of construction activity in the city hit a record high in 2012. Businesses are relocating from the suburbs to downtown and more people are calling the area home. This pattern tends to reinforce itself: as more people move downtown, area apartment occupancy rates have climbed, leading to the construction of more apartment buildings.

Economic development activity has also been picking up in the region. For example, the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council recently received $93.8 million to fund 73 projects. Increased interest by businesses in possible development in industries as diverse as call centers, financial services, and food processing is further good news for the region. Food processors, in particular, are moving to or expanding in Central New York. Some recent positive developments in the region's food processing industry include:

  • The former Birds Eye plant in Fulton (Oswego County) was sold to an unnamed buyer. The purchaser plans to open a poultry-processing operation and frozen distribution warehouse in the facility. A total of 183 employees are expected to work at the plant.
  • Syracuse-based Byrne Dairy plans to build a $20 million yogurt plant and visitor center in Cortlandville (Cortland County). The plant, which will produce both regular and Greek-style yogurt, will initially employ 65 people. The agri-tourism center will teach people about how the dairy industry works and is expected to employ 15. Eventually, total employment at the complex could reach 300 as the facility expands in four phases.
  • Agrana Fruit US Inc. will invest more than $50 million in Lysander (Onondaga County) to build a fruit processing plant that will employ up to 120 people. Vienna-based Agrana is a global company that makes fruit preparations for the yogurt industry.

Industry Analysis

Last year saw an uptick in the construction sector and continued strength in educational and health services. The trade, transportation and utilities and leisure and hospitality sectors also did well in 2012.

Overall job growth carried forward into 2013 as private sector jobs rose by 500, a growth rate of 0.2%, for the 12-month period ending February 2013. A variety of blue- and white-collar industries, some in well-paying sectors, contributed to recent local job growth, including:

  • Educational and Health Care Services (+700)
  • Professional and Business Services (+400)
  • Construction (+300)
  • Other Services (+300)

Many of the employment openings currently available in Central New York are in health and education-related job titles. Specific occupational groups with the most local job vacancies include: sales; office, clerical and secretarial; healthcare practitioner and technical; food preparation/serving related; and healthcare support.

Between February 2012 and February 2013, job losses occurred in financial activities (-400), leisure and hospitality (-400), manufacturing (-300), and information (-200). These losses show the uneven nature of the local area's economic recovery. Several Central New York manufacturers have announced layoffs in 2013. The largest cuts will occur at the Daikin McQuay heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment plant in Auburn, which is expected to close in December 2014. The Daikin McQuay facility employs 352.

Moving Forward

The local labor market continues to grow as it adds back jobs lost in the recession. As more industries begin to add jobs, this should add momentum to the area's recovery. Increased emphasis on city businesses, downtown living and rising economic development projects should all help to strengthen job creation in the region going forward.

 

For more information, please contact:
Karen Knapik-Scalzo
NYS Department of Labor
450 S. Salina St., Room 300
Syracuse, NY 13202
Phone: (315) 479-3390
Fax: (315) 479-3271
E-mail: karen.knapik-scalzo@labor.ny.gov

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