WORK UPSTATE

WHERE PROFESSIONALS THRIVE

From medical to hospitality, from call centers to manufacturing, from nanotechnology to aviation, there’s a career matching your skillset and interest.

Invent. Innovate. Inspire.

Unlock Your Future in Upstate New York: A Hub of Innovation and Opportunity

Are you ready to invent, innovate, and inspire? Upstate New York is brimming with opportunities just waiting for you to seize them. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, this region offers a vibrant environment for you to exceed your dreams, execute your potential, and build the career you’ve always envisioned.

Business and Economic Growth in Upstate New York Upstate New York is a thriving hub for business, commerce, manufacturing, and economic development. Across all industries and career sectors, this area is experiencing unprecedented growth and revitalization. With a focus on innovation and creativity, Upstate New York is transforming into a sought-after destination for professionals seeking new challenges and rewarding career paths.

A Dynamic and Resilient Community What makes Upstate New York truly special is its people. The community is made up of both natives and newcomers, all sharing a common drive and enthusiasm to take initiative. This collective spirit fuels the ongoing resurgence, propelling the region into a new era of prosperity. You can feel the energy in the air as you explore the many opportunities available in this diverse and welcoming area.

Create Your Success Story From small startups to large corporations, Upstate New York has something for everyone. Entrepreneurs are finding fertile ground to launch their businesses, while established companies are expanding their operations. The career possibilities are endless, with growth in technology, healthcare, manufacturing, education, and more. This is your chance to be part of something extraordinary—to contribute to the area’s transformation and create your own success story.

Experience the Revitalization Visit Upstate New York and discover a region that is evolving every day. The revitalization is evident in the bustling downtown areas, the growing tech hubs, and the emerging cultural scenes. This is more than just a place to work—it’s a place to live, thrive, and make a lasting impact.

Join the Upstate New York Revolution Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of Upstate New York’s transformation. Whether you’re looking to advance your career, start a business, or simply embrace a new way of life, this is the place to be. Take the leap and join the revolution—your future awaits in Upstate New York.

Bring Your Talent
Start a Business
Resources

BRING YOUR TALENT

There’s a job for everyone.

With modern industries, upgraded amenities, a new medical campus, large New York State investments, a renowned focus on our region’s downtown areas, innovative recreational spaces, and career openings in every job sector, there’s never been a better time to work with us Upstaters-the time to act on your dream is NOW!

From retail to hospitality, from call centers to manufacturing, from nanotechnology to aviation, there’s a career matching your skillset and interest. Upstate New York has experienced growth in a multitude of industries, and our career options proudly reflect that.

WHAT'S UPSTATE JOB BOARD!

Some of the industries Upstate, NY is known for:

Healthcare

Downtown Utica is soon to be home of the brand new, 25-acre campus of The Wynn Hospital of MVHS– which consolidates the area’s two aging acute-care hospitals. With two other hospitals in the area: Rome Health and Little Falls Hospital, there are lots of available healthcare positions in our region.

Manufacturing

From copper to medical devices, our central location has made our region ideal for manufacturing going all the way back to the founding of Remington Arms in 1816.

Nanotechnology

Over the last decade, New York has made a statewide commitment to nanotechnology, investing hundreds of millions of dollars to develop shovel-ready sites and state-of-the-art facilities. We’re proud to call our region home to several of these facilities including Wolfspeed’s Mohawk Valley Fab– the world’s first, largest and only 200mm Silicon Carbide fabrication facility.

Finance/Insurance

Our area is home to many financial institutions including 4th generation family owned Bank of Utica, locally owned and operated Adirondack Bank and many national and international banks. We’re also home to national insurance companies like Utica National as well as local award winning companies like Gilroy, Kernan & Gilroy.

Education

If you’re looking for employment opportunities in higher education, our region is home to two community colleges: Herkimer County Community College & Mohawk Valley Community College, one state university: SUNY Polytechnic Institute, two private universities: Hamilton College & Utica University and one college of nursing: St. Elizabeth’s College of Nursing.

Nonprofit

Upstate New York has an abundant collection of givers, donors, philanthropists, supporters, and contributors. As a result, we have over 1,000 nonprofits including nationally affiliated organizations and community-based organizations with a wide range of employment opportunities.

Ag/Food & Beverage

Our area is rich in natural resources and our land is affordable, making our region a competitive market from growing to processing. We also have an incredible food scene paired with 15 breweries and wineries, making this a great place to learn the food and beverage industry from the ground up.

Aviation/UAS

Rome, NY is a major hub for aviation and UAS. Not only is it home to the Eastern Air Defense Sector, Griffiss International Airport houses a 2 ¼ mile runway with uncongested airspace and tenants like Million Air, Mohawk Valley Community College’s Airframe & Powerplant Technology School and Nuair-host of the New York UAS Test Site, which is 1 of 7 FAA-Designated UAS Test Sites in the U.S.

The job market in Upstate New York is booming!

Upstate employers and recruiters are eager to find and hire the right person for their unique opportunities. Whether you prefer teamwork, apprenticeships, collaboration, remote projects, corporate infrastructure, freelance gigs, or the entrepreneurial lifestyle, you will find your dream job here!

Not only do we have jobs, those jobs come with a comfortable pace of life.

Chris Riffle & Timothy Atticus

From Passion to Business: Opening The Gatehouse in Morris and Embracing Upstate NY

Looking for Career Resources?

Our local office of the New York State Department of Labor in Downtown Utica provides numerous, specialized resources- all free to the general public- to help residents find the perfect job. From resume workshops to career counseling, to mock interviews, to professional development, to job fairs, and more, the career specialists at the NYSDOL can help you find the perfect position.

Start your job search now:

Local Job Boards:

Central New York Help Wanted >
Herkimer County Jobs >
Working Solutions >
Otsego County Department of Workforce Development >
Opportunities For Otsego >

Local Staffing Agencies:

CPS Recruitment >
Express Employment Professionals >
First Choice Staffing >
M3 Placement & Partnership >
Staffworks >

BUSINESS HUBS

Cooperstown

Cooperstown is an economic hub with a different flavor. As the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, it draws significant tourism, which fuels a large part of the county economy. In addition to the tourism industry, Cooperstown's economy is bolstered by Bassett Medical Center, one of the largest employers in the region. The village also hosts a number of retail businesses, restaurants, and small-scale manufacturing entities, many of which capitalize on the steady influx of tourists. Together, with Oneonta, these two hubs provide a balanced and thriving economic foundation for Otsego County.

Learn more

BUSINESS HUBS

Griffiss Business
& Technology Park

Griffiss Business and Technology Park is a vibrant center for private and public enterprise in Rome, New York. Scores of tenants employing thousands of people make Griffiss one of the most successful business and technology parks in the United States. This former US Air Force Base was targeted for BRAC in 1993, and since then 3,500 acres have been redeveloped for specific focuses in technology, manufacturing, aviation, office, education and recreation.

Learn more

BUSINESS HUBS

Herkimer County

Herkimer County’s Upstate New York location is an ideal business hub. You will find 25% of the total population of the United States and Canada within 300 miles of Herkimer County. Historically, industries such as agriculture and manufacturing prevailed in the area but are now making way for the new and developing Tech Valley in New York State. Herkimer County is emerging as a global technology hub playing an important role in nanotechnology, fiber optics, renewable energy, aerospace, and medical devices.

Learn more

BUSINESS HUBS

Oneonta

Oneonta serves as a vibrant economic center, home to the Oneonta Business Park. This sprawling facility, managed by the Otsego County Industrial Development Agency, provides a robust infrastructure and a broad array of resources to attract and support businesses. The park is strategically located near major transportation routes and is a mere hour's drive from Albany, making it an ideal location for businesses looking for connectivity and convenience. The Oneonta Business Park has seen significant growth in recent years and has a variety of business types, including manufacturing, distribution, and technology companies. This business park, along with the presence of SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick College, contributes to the city's dynamic and diverse economic landscape.

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BUSINESS HUBS

City of Rome

Rome gained its reputation as the Copper City during the Industrial Revolution when the city produced an estimated 10-percent of all copper in the United States. Once a thriving industrial city, Rome has transformed itself to a City charging toward the 21st century focusing on the next generation of cybersecurity initiatives, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) testing and research, in conjunction with the world renowned Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) located at the former Griffiss Air Force Base home to over 5,000 employees amid a mix of high technology, Department of Defense facilities and light industrial businesses.

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BUSINESS HUBS

City of Utica

With a business-friendly environment and growing population, the City presents various locations that offer high traffic counts, high visibility and an avid base of consumers from throughout the Utica-Rome Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which boasts a population of roughly 300,000. The City of Utica has attracted people from all over the world and is one of the few urban centers in upstate New York to have its population grow over the last fifteen years.

Learn more

START A BUSINESS

Have you experienced a lightbulb moment?

That instance where you had an AMAZING IDEA for a business? Yet, you have absolutely no idea how to start the process?

Well, lucky for you, we have the answer – come to Upstate New York! Even if your BIG dream is a small spark, a slight twinkling, or a freshly planted seed, we have an amazing support system available to you at any stage in development.

What started with selling Heather’s homemade baked goods from their front porch grew to a retail location in June 2021, thanks to support from the Gilbertsville community.

Check out our handy step-by-step process to make your small business dreams a reality:

Start a business in Upstate, NY in 5 steps

Dream Big

If it doesn’t scare you, chances are you’re probably not dreaming big enough. Luckily we like scary things around here! (Literally. We love Halloween.)

We know how small businesses can make a HUGE impact. Not only do our communities love to support them, we love to see them being built too.

Bring it to the Pros

Put your plan on paper and see if it’s feasible with Mohawk Valley Small Business Development Center.

How they can help: The SBDC, also located at MVCC’s thINCubator, helps with your business start-up, growth, and expansion needs. They provide services like business plan development, assistance with financial projections and marketing, organizational planning, and research support. Did we mention this is a completely FREE resource?

Are you a minority, woman, or veteran-owned business? SBDC also provides expert guidance to help clients understand how to apply for MWBE, SDVOB, and other state and federal small business certifications.

Bring it to Life

Book a 1-on-1 with ThINCubator to find out how they can assist you in launching, connecting you with opportunities and mentors, and define, refine and test your business model!

How they can help: MVCC’s thINCubator (or thINC as the locals call it) is Upstate New York’s hub for entrepreneurship. They help with guidance and programs needed to turn your idea into a viable business. ThINC also offers the Refinery, an 8-10 week accelerator program focused on setting measurable goals to grow your business, alongside other like-minded entrepreneurs.

Get Funded

If it doesn’t scare you, chances are you’re probably not dreaming big enough. Luckily we like scary things around here! (Literally. We love Halloween.)

We know how small businesses can make a HUGE impact. Not only do our communities love to support them, we love to see them being built too.

Open the doors and change the world!

With those open doors, we also love to celebrate small businesses and cut LOTS of ribbons. There’s just something about those big scissors! Contact the local Chamber of Commerce closest to you to announce you’re OPEN to all of Upstate New York.

Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce

Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce

Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce

Otsego County Chamber of Commerce

Rome Area Chamber of Commerce

See how Wolfspeed brought the world’s largest Silicon Carbide fabrication facility right here to Upstate, NY!

EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS

Have an existing business and looking for a new home?

National brands, small businesses, start-ups, corporations, companies looking to expand, and entrepreneurs alike are flocking to our area to take advantage of the momentum of our passionate, tight-knit community and outpouring of local support and communal pride. It’s exciting to watch, and even more exciting to be a part of.

We are fortunate to have resources to help new businesses start up AND established resources to help existing companies expand and grow. Check out these amazing resources to help integrate your business into our community and raise awareness for your brand, products, and services!

Upstate Business Resources:

Area Chambers of Commerce

Our region has several fantastic chambers of commerce depending on where your business is located. Joining your area chamber is the best way to get your business introduced to our community. Our area chambers support businesses by providing resources to grow your business including networking, advertising, education, advocacy and more!

Mohawk Valley EDGE

Mohawk Valley Edge provides a coordinated economic development program that can assist your business to relocate, grow and prosper.

Innovare Advancement Center

Innovare Logo Innovare’s mission is to build a magnetic ecosystem in which the world’s leading scientific and entrepreneurial talent tackle the country’s greatest challenges to national security and economic competitiveness.

Upstate Venture Connect

UVC is a network of experienced founders and partners created by entrepreneurs who believe Upstate NY communities can reclaim and surpass industrial era prosperity through a renewed focus on building fast growing emerging tech businesses. The network is led by UN50 Leaders who give first by helping the next generation of founders.

What’s It Like to Work Upstate?

Sweet Success! Vêsucré’s Vegan Treats Are Taking Oneonta by Storm!

Otsego County, What's Up, WorkBy Monica Calzolari August 26, 2024

🌱 Introducing Vêsucré: A Vegan Dessert Revolution in Oneonta, NY! 🍨

Discover how a $35,000 microenterprise grant helped launch Vêsucré, a woman-owned business that’s taking Otsego County by storm! Founded by Sarah Hartmann, Vêsucré offers plant-based, protein-packed frozen desserts that are free of dairy, soy, gluten, and refined sugar.

With flavors like Toffee Crunch and Espresso Brownie, these treats are not just for vegans—they’re for anyone who loves delicious, wholesome food. Vêsucré’s journey highlights the incredible opportunities available in Upstate New York for entrepreneurs and job seekers alike.

Ready to taste the future of dessert and explore career opportunities in a thriving community? Otsego County is where innovation meets quality of life. Join us in celebrating businesses like Vêsucré that are paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future! 🌟

Welcome, Engage, Retain: A Roadmap for Hiring in Upstate New York

Tour, What's Up, WorkBy Sean Farrell July 1, 2024

Upstate New York offers an inviting environment for businesses looking to hire top talent. At WhatsUpstateNY.com, we are dedicated to providing a comprehensive roadmap that helps area businesses welcome new employees, engage them with the community, and retain them for the long haul. Our multifaceted approach includes a robust job board, a wealth of resources for those considering relocation, personalized tours, and a range of activities designed to showcase the best of our region.

FEATURED JOB: Registered Nurse – Emergency/Behavioral Health – F/T

Oneida County, Utica, What's Up, WorkBy Sean Farrell May 20, 2024

The Registered Nurse promotes and restores patient’s health by completing the nursing process: collaborating with Physicians and multidisciplinary team members: providing support to patients, visitors and families. Responsible for assessing, planning, promoting and evaluating quality patient care. A Registered Nurse provides teaching to patients, families and the public. A Registered Nurses will follow the mission, vision, I-CARE values, policies and procedures of Mohawk Valley Health System.

Thank You To Our What's Upstate Partners

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