UTICA, N.Y. — What’s Upstate NY, a regional recruitment and retention initiative through the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce, was awarded $260,000 through Empire State Development’s $10 million Mohawk Valley Empowers Program, the organization announced.
What’s Upstate will use the funds to expand efforts to attract new talent, bolster workforce participation, and showcase the Mohawk Valley as a destination for both career seekers and businesses.
“This grant enables us to take What’s Upstate NY to the next level,” Special Project Officer Sean Farrell said in the announcement. “We are setting the stage for a major expansion that will connect job seekers with the Mohawk Valley’s vast opportunities while reinforcing our region’s reputation as a great place to live and work.”
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What’s Upstate NY serves as more than just a job board. It’s also a comprehensive talent attraction and retention platform that curates immersive experiences for prospective employees, provides real-life insights into living in the area, and builds a network of community ambassadors.
The organization will use the grant funding to implement several key initiatives.
A national digital-marketing campaign designed to attract top talent to the Mohawk Valley will use audience-targeting strategies to reach job seekers in areas such as health care, advanced manufacturing, and technology.
The grant will support initiatives such as curated networking events, local meet-and-greet programs, and the expansion of an ambassador network as part of What’s Upstate’s community integration and engagement efforts. This will help new residents build both personal and professional connections, which can help increase long-term job retention.
What’s Upstate will also use the funding to expand its partnerships into Schoharie, Fulton, and Montgomery counties to complement the alliances it has already forged across Oneida, Herkimer, and Otsego counties. The efforts will connect What’s Upstate to major employers, local chambers of commerce, and educational institutes in workforce efforts.
A significant portion of the funding will go toward refining What’s Upstate’s digital platform including an expanded job database, relocation guides, virtual community tours, and detailed resources for transportation, childcare, mental-health services, and career-advancement opportunities.
What’s Upstate also plans to increase visibility and accessibility to regional job opportunities, helping business fill vacancies, supporting economic development, and creating a vibrant and sustainable workforce.
The Mohawk Valley Empowers Program, launched by the state in April 2024, aims to address the region’s workforce challenges by prioritizing solutions that remove employment barriers and create sustainable career pathways.
