SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A new report from CenterState CEO finds 63 percent of 160 businesspeople surveyed expect to boost jobs and hiring in 2025, up 8 percent from last year.
The survey also found more than three quarters of those surveyed (77 percent) anticipate increased sales or revenue in the new year, up 5 percent from the 2024 projections.
That’s according to the 2025 Economic Forecast for Central New York report that CenterState CEO released on Thursday during its Economic Forecast event at the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center at Oncenter. Baldwinsville–based Research & Marketing Strategies, Inc. (RMS) conducted the survey.
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The program attracted 500 attendees, CenterState CEO tells CNYBJ.
The report includes the insight and projections of CenterState CEO members and business leaders from across industry sectors, with perspectives on company growth, employment trends and expected impacts on their own businesses and the region’s economy from major initiatives and investments taking place in the region.
Besides the hiring and revenue projections, the survey found 56 percent of respondents expect to expand products and services in 2025, holding steady with the prior year projections. And 45 percent anticipate they will increase capital investments, down 4 percent from 2024.
Of those surveyed, 86 percent have a positive outlook for Central New York’s economic health, describing it as “good” or “excellent.” And 73 percent of respondents expect the strength of their own business in 2025 will be “above average” or “excellent.”
During the event, CenterState CEO President Robert Simpson highlighted the optimism felt by the business community in this year’s Economic Forecast survey.
“The clear message of optimism this year’s forecasters shared is a significant signal that our region is growing and that progress is felt across the diverse sectors of our economy. There is much to be bullish about,” said Simpson. “We are seeing an upswing in new business formation, incredible investments in advanced manufacturing, significant collaboration and investment on workforce development initiatives, and a robust economic development pipeline, with nearly $6 billion representing almost 60 potential projects.”


