Ben WalshGrowing up in Syracuse, I have seen this city go through peaks and valleys. I remember the days when people would talk about Syracuse like it was a place stuck in time, clinging to its industrial past without much to look forward to. But I also remember the resilience of the people here — the […]
Already an Subcriber? Log in
Get Instant Access to This Article
Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.
- Critical Central New York business news and analysis updated daily.
- Immediate access to all subscriber-only content on our website.
- Get a year's worth of the Print Edition of The Central New York Business Journal.
- Special Feature Publications such as the Book of Lists and Revitalize Greater Binghamton, Mohawk Valley, and Syracuse Magazines
Click here to purchase a paywall bypass link for this article.
Growing up in Syracuse, I have seen this city go through peaks and valleys. I remember the days when people would talk about Syracuse like it was a place stuck in time, clinging to its industrial past without much to look forward to. But I also remember the resilience of the people here — the way neighbors help each other out, the pride we take in our schools, our sports teams, and our neighborhoods.
Today, I can say with confidence that Syracuse is in the midst of something special. The city we love is undergoing an incredible transformation, and I couldn’t be prouder to be part of it.
Syracuse and Central New York are experiencing a wave of economic progress that is transforming the area into a hub of innovation, development, and growth. Historically known for its industrial roots, Syracuse is now emerging as a dynamic player in the New Economy, driven by investments in technology, infrastructure, education, and health care. The region’s renaissance is driven by a blend of public-private partnerships, community engagement, and strategic initiatives that are attracting businesses, talent, and opportunities.
Syracuse is investing in its people. We have always been a city of hard workers, and now there are more opportunities than ever to build a career here. The workforce-development programs that are part of Syracuse Surge and Syracuse Build are helping people gain the skills they need to succeed in high-demand fields like tech, health care, advanced manufacturing, and the building and construction trades. This isn’t just about economic growth; it’s about giving everyone in our community a chance for a brighter future.
Syracuse is also New York’s Flagship Smart City. We’re driving innovation in community broadband access, smart streetlights, tech-enhanced snow removal, road reconstruction driven by data, and other initiatives designed to enhance quality of life by improving management of city services, resources, and assets. We have also been named alongside Buffalo, Rochester, and Ithaca as part of the NY SMART I-Corridor. This $40 million federal investment puts the city and region in a position to accelerate our strategies for growth and affirms upstate New York as a global leader in semiconductor innovation, manufacturing, workforce training, and business attraction.
Syracuse has always had a hardworking spirit, but now, there’s a new kind of energy in the air — a buzz of innovation and optimism that’s bringing fresh opportunities and hope. Syracuse University, SUNY-ESF, Upstate Medical University, Onondaga Community College, and Le Moyne College have always been pillars of our community, but their involvement in driving this renaissance is changing the city’s landscape. There is a real sense of collaboration between institutions of higher learning and the city, and it’s creating opportunities that just weren’t there before. The research happening in uncrewed aerial systems, medical technology and research, and sustainability — to name just a few — is groundbreaking and it’s happening right here in our backyard. It’s exciting to think the solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges are coming from Syracuse.
The changes to our physical infrastructure are perhaps the most visible signs of Syracuse’s rebirth. The Community Grid project, East Adams Neighborhood Transformation, and ongoing downtown renaissance are national models for urban revitalization and righting the wrongs of past decisions. The highway divided our city and negatively impacted the neighborhood and people around it. Now we have a chance to bring it back together in a way that’s equitable, forward-looking, and driven by community input.
When I look around Syracuse today, I see a city that’s finally getting its due. No longer a Rust Belt city that time forgot, we’re a vibrant, innovative community with a bright future. The changes happening here aren’t just about economic development; they’re about creating a city where people want to live, work, and raise their families. We’re not only rebuilding and revitalizing Syracuse, but also redefining what it means to be from Syracuse, and I couldn’t be prouder to call this place home.
Ben Walsh is the 54th mayor of the City of Syracuse.
Ben Walsh is the 54th mayor of the City of Syracuse.