FOR RELEASE:

The Central New York economy shows signs of strength as well as significant challenges, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi.

“It is no secret to Central New Yorkers that the past couple of years have been tough, and it is good news that overall employment is increasing this year,” Hevesi said. “However, Syracuse is no longer upstate’s manufacturing center, and the region is expected to continue to lose manufacturing jobs in the coming years.”

The report, “Spotlight on Central New York,” includes recent data for employment, personal income, wages, unemployment, population, and the economic outlook for the next four years.

The report notes the following trends:

• Total employment in Central New York increased by 1.1 percent in the first five months of 2003, compared with the same period one year earlier. This is a notable improvement from the 1.2 percent decline from 2001 to 2002.



• During the 1990s, Central New York went against statewide and national trends with an increase in manufacturing employment of 4.4 percent. However, jobs in this sector declined 6.4 percent in 2002, and Central New York is now less dependent on manufacturing employment than either Buffalo or Rochester.



• Although the unemployment rate increased in 2002, the first five months of 2003 showed improvement, with unemployment averaging 5.7 percent, down from 6.1 percent a year earlier.



• Forecasts indicate small annual gains in employment through 2006, but manufacturing employment is expected to continue to decline.

Click here for a copy of the report

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