Clinton Square

Central New York

Contact Daniel Kolinski
Industry Contact Regional Director Daniel Kolinski
Man testing a drone

A region on the rise, lifted by a diverse economy and a strategic location

Man testing a drone

Central NY, located in the heart of Upstate New York, features a diverse economy ranging from Life Sciences and Materials Processing to Uncrewed Aerial Systems, Radar/Sensing Technologies and Agribusiness.  The region both prepares and attracts top talent thanks to its growing industries, R&D strengths, and quality of life – including vibrant city centers, idyllic rural landscapes, and easy access to outdoor recreation. 

The region is preparing for continued growth by expanding demand-driven workforce training initiatives, with top-tier higher education partners`, and creating world-class and connected communities through the state’s downtown revitalization and broadband initiatives. The region also supports entrepreneurial success thanks to public-private partnerships and business incubators. 

Key Industries in Central New York

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Homeland and Cybersecurity

New York State’s growing homeland and cybersecurity sector produces defense industry and commercial data protection products and services.
A New York State farm.

Agribusiness

New York State agribusiness, supporting leading companies, is fueled by farms, rich natural resources and innovative agricultural startups.
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Biotech and Life Sciences

Investment in biotech research and development, life science companies and talent, is building this world-class New York State industry.
Glass making at the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York in the Southern Tier Region.

Materials Processing

New York State’s materials processing manufacturers—of alloys, ceramics, polymers and more—create many industries’ “enabling technology.”
Central New York offers a rich pool of diverse talent, including communities that traditionally have been underrepresented in technology jobs.
Sanjay Mehrotra, CEO, Micron
UAS Traffic Management Conference

Central NY is home to a robust network of Uncrewed Aerial Systems companies focused on the development, manufacturing, and integration of uncrewed vehicles and radar/sensing infrastructure including Saab, SRC and Lockheed Martin. In partnership with the Mohawk Valley and NUAIR the Central NY region offers 240 square miles of beyond visual line of sight airspace for UAS testing with controlled and uncontrolled airspace across urban and rural environments. Central NY is also home to GENIUS NY, the world’s largest UAS business accelerator.  

Governor Hochul and ESD Commissioner Hope Knight and other officials at TTM beam signing

Central NY’s diverse industries are reflected in companies from TTM Technologies, a global leader in printed circuit board manufacturing, to Prison City Brewing, a homegrown, award-winning craft brewery.  This diversity is supported by innovative entrepreneurs and a highly educated workforce that has been cultivated by the regions higher ed centers including Syracuse University, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Colgate University, SUNY Morrisville, and others. 

Syracuse Airport

The region is easy to reach by car or air – conveniently located at the crossroads of Interstates 81, 90, and U.S Route 20 with access to state-of-the-art Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) and Oswego County Airport (FZY). The region enjoys an excellent quality of life with robust downtowns, thriving cultural scenes, outstanding dining and beverage options, and top-notch outdoor recreation.

Central New York By The Numbers

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$60.6B

2023 Gross Regional Product

Date source: Lightcast 

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$35M

committed by New York State to help grow the uncrewed aerial systems industry in Central New York 

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$767M

generated in 2023 by the agriculture industry for the CNY economy

Data source: Lightcast 

Population 2024

Labor Force Status 2024

Age Distribution 2024

Education Attainment 2024

Data source: ZoomProspector (Applied Geographic Solutions)

Doing Business in Central New York

Construction of the New NY Bridge in New York's Mid-Hudson Region.

Tax-Based Incentives

All forms of tax incentives that enable savings and cost advantages to businesses.
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Operational Support

Programs offering assistance or training to ensure more competitive businesses.
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Growth Support

Funds, loans and other means of financial support to stimulate business growth.
People working and talking in co-working space in the Thomas R. Beecher, Jr. Innovation Center

Innovation Development Support

Leverage New York State’s unparalleled investment in world-class tech assets, programs and expertise to grow your business.

Micron

Find out more about Micron's $100 billion, 1,400-acre green technology campus in Central New York.

Central New York Regional Economic Development Council

Visit the REDC site for more information on members, projects, economic data and funding applications.

Regional Office

The Central New York regional office works hand-in-hand with new and existing businesses to help identify economic development programs to support business growth and expansion—for building new facilities, relocating a business, expanding operations and workforce and entering new and global markets.