Regional job growth numbers were mixed                

Unemployment rates in the Syracuse, Utica–Rome, Watertown-Fort Drum, Binghamton, and Elmira regions declined in May compared to a year ago, while the jobless rate in the Ithaca area was unchanged.

The figures were part of the latest New York State Department of Labor data released on June 25. 

On the job-growth front, the Syracuse, Watertown–Fort Drum, Ithaca, and Elmira regions gained jobs between May 2018 and this past May.

Bucking the trend, the Utica–Rome and Binghamton areas lost jobs in the same period.

That’s according to the latest monthly employment report that the New York State Department of Labor issued June 20.

Regional unemployment rates

The jobless rate in the Syracuse area was 3.7 percent in May, down from 3.9 percent in May 2018.

In the other CNY areas, the unemployment rate in the Utica–Rome region fell to 3.9 percent from 4 percent; in the Watertown–Fort Drum area, it dipped to 4.5 percent from 4.8 percent; the rate fell in the Binghamton region to 3.9 percent from 4.2 percent; it was unchanged in the Ithaca metro area at 3.2 percent; and the rate fell in the Elmira region to 3.8 percent from 4.4 percent in the year-earlier period.

The local-unemployment data isn’t seasonally adjusted, meaning the figures don’t reflect seasonal influences such as holiday hires.

The unemployment rates are calculated following procedures prescribed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state Labor Department said.

State unemployment rate

New York state’s unemployment rate rose from 3.9 percent to 4.0 percent in May. The state unemployment rate was higher than the U.S. unemployment rate of 3.6 percent in that month.

The May statewide unemployment figure of 4 percent was down from 4.2 percent in May 2018, according to department figures.

“The slowdown this month in New York State’s labor market reflects the weak national jobs report in May, as private-sector payrolls in the U.S. increased by less than 100,000, when a gain of 200,000 is more typical. The state’s monthly jobs data can be volatile and are subject to revision as more information becomes available. As a result, it is necessary to observe several months of data before establishing a trend,” the state Labor Department noted in its June 20 report.

The federal government calculates New York’s unemployment rate partly based upon the results of a monthly telephone survey of 3,100 state households that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics conducts.

May jobs data

The Syracuse region gained 6,200 jobs in the past year, up 1.9 percent.

The Utica–Rome area lost 900 jobs, a decrease of 0.7 percent; the Binghamton region shed 800 jobs, a decline of 0.8 percent; the Watertown–Fort Drum area gained 300 jobs, an increase of 0.7 percent; the Ithaca region picked up 1,600 positions, a rise of 2.4 percent; and the Elmira area added 100 jobs, up 0.3 percent.

New York state as a whole gained more than 95,000 jobs, an increase of 1.0 percent, in that 12-month period. The state economy lost nearly 14,000 jobs, a 0.1 percent dip, in May compared to April, the labor department said.                             

SYRACUSE — Julian B. Modesti, senior counsel in the Syracuse office of Harris Beach PLLC, has been elected as president of the board of directors of Catholic Charities of Onondaga County, according to a Harris Beach news release.

Modesti focuses his law practice on business and commercial litigation, with an emphasis on shareholder disputes, leases, land-use matters, finance agreements, unfair competition, trade secrets, trust and estate litigation, and business torts. He also handles appeals in both state and federal courts on a variety of civil-law issues and is often retained as a mediator in cases involving commercial disputes, Harris Beach said. Modesti is one of 15 attorneys in the law firm’s Syracuse office. Harris Beach is headquartered in the Rochester region.

In his new board role for Catholic Charities, which is for three years, Modesti will lead the board in providing strategic direction and fundraising support to the Catholic Charities management team. He has been a longstanding member of the Catholic Charities board, having recently served as board VP.

Catholic Charities, with a yearly budget of about $23 million, is one of the most active social-services providers in Central New York. The agency helps more than 19,000 clients annually through programs for people regardless of their religion, race, ethnicity, gender, age, or nationality, per the release.

Catholic Charities’ programs include emergency assistance, food pantry support, men’s-shelter services, veterans’ support, refugee resettlement, housing services, health-care management, workforce development, parent education programs, pre-K programs, respite services, and neighborhood centers. 

UTICA — The Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) recently named new board members and chairs for its governing board.

James B. Turnbull, IV is now the chair of the governing board, replacing Edward E. Welsseh, who served three terms (or nine years total) as chair.

Additionally, governing board member Richard Dewar was sworn in as 1st vice chair and Paul J. Drejza was sworn as 2nd vice chair. Shawn Kelly also completed his three-term limit. CABVI’s incoming governing board members include Deborah Kessler of Kessler Promotions; Gary Heenan, Utica College (UC) hockey head coach; and Judge Michael Misiaszek. 

CABVI also announced the winners of two prestigious awards. Former executive director, Don LoGuidice received the Luca Award, and UC’s Heenan received the Guiding Light Award. 

The Luca Award is awarded to an individual or organization that has made a significant impact on employment and upward mobility opportunities for people who are blind and visually impaired. The award honors former CABVI VP of manufacturing, Luca Esposito who played an integral part in developing product lines that employ most of CABVI’s blind and visually impaired workers. 

The Guiding Light Award is given to an individual or group of people who made a significant contribution leading to rehabilitation program expansion and improved quality of service. Heenan has helped CABVI with its winter camp, Camp Abilities in Motion, and has advocated for and supported the organization.

SYRACUSE — The Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc. has recognized the Everson Museum of Art, TCGplayer, and the Whitney Lofts project for their efforts in downtown revitalization.

The Downtown Committee also honored local businessman Michael Sgro in the awards portion of the organization’s annual meeting held June 20 in a lunch-hour event at the Oncenter.

In addition to the awards, Merike Treier, executive director of the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, delivered her annual “State of Downtown” address, outlining $233 million in investment activity underway.

Urban Innovation Award

The Downtown Committee honored TCGplayer with the Urban Innovation Award, “given for a trailblazing activity that’s brought new attention — and energy — to a previously underdeveloped facet of downtown Syracuse,” per a Downtown Committee news release. 

The tech company’s “innovative, interactive” office-headquarters design is part of South Warren Street, just north of the Marriott Syracuse Downtown, the former Hotel Syracuse. Besides its own activity, TCGplayer partners with Central Library to host “Dungeons and Dragons” game sessions for children and teens, the Downtown Committee noted. It’s also working with the Marriott Syracuse Downtown to host a series of summer block parties.

Heart of Downtown Award

The Downtown Committee also honored the Everson Museum of Art with the Heart of Downtown Award, “given for efforts that positively impact the way people feel about downtown Syracuse.”

Described by the Committee as “an institution that has evolved along with downtown Syracuse,” the Everson is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its building.

“The Everson constantly finds new ways to connect diverse audiences to modern and contemporary artwork,” the release stated. 

The museum earlier this year introduced the Danial Family Education Center and uses programming such as “Third Thursday” events and “Pay What You Wish” Wednesdays to make sure “the museum is accessible to all,” the Downtown Committee said.

The 3,000-square-foot Danial Family Education Center features flexible class spaces, a new kiln, parent lounge, and gallery walls to feature student work.

Perfect Partner Award

The Downtown Committee recognized Michael Sgro with the Perfect Partner Award, “given to an individual or business whose commitment positively influences downtown Syracuse.”

Sgro is founder of Michael Sgro Leadership Coaching and co-founder of the newly launched “Downtown Champions” group.

As a downtown business owner, resident, and “active” participant in downtown events, “Michael’s enthusiasm is contagious, and his creativity continues to stir new engagement in downtown activities,” the Downtown Committee said.

Newsmaker Award

The organization also recognized the Whitney Lofts project with the Newsmaker Award, which “highlights collaborative efforts that have generated a buzz throughout the community.”

Crews redeveloped the buildings at 321 and 323 S. Salina St. into the Whitney Lofts with 16 luxury apartments, Oh My Darling restaurant, Clementine — a grab-and-go lunch and breakfast counter — and the FITZ, a basement speakeasy. 

Project developers included Ryan Benz, Steve Case, Leigh-Ann Boatman-Benz, and Shashank Bhatt.