SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — In both a difficult job market and a struggling economy, Syracuse has a reason for hope.
The JMA Wireless headquarters in Syracuse was made official this afternoon with Gov. Kathy Hochul cutting the ribbon. The $100 million project is set to mark a turning point for the city’s manufacturing.
“I want other companies to see that this is a rebirth of manufacturing, as a rebirth of upstate manufacturing. So, this is even bigger than the jobs created here, making it here in New York is a huge point of pride for us,” Hochul said.
JMA Chief Executive Officer John Mezzalingua said he has been hearing from experts for years that Upstate is not going to be a home for manufacturing again. Despite those doubts he wanted to make Syracuse a 5G hub.
“And the quote was ‘it would be difficult to offer any optimistic assessment of the prospects of manufacturing in Syracuse.’ And fortunately, I was taught early on not to put too much stock into experts and conventional wisdom,” Mezzalingua said.
The investment into the city will also bring around 200 jobs into the area. Hochul wants the city and specifically the South Side to have a takeaway from the opening of the headquarters.
Hochul said she wanted to make sure that the people in this area feel like they matter.
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A look onto the floor of the newly opened, but already active JHL Wireless 5G manufacturing building.
© 2022 Sammy St. Jean -
Governor Kathy Hochul at the podium speaking before the ribbon was cut to celebrate the opening of the new project.
© 2022 Sammy St. Jean -
Mayor Ben Walsh at the podium moments after the ribbon was cut.
© 2022 Sammy St. Jean -
JMA Chief Executive Officer John Mezzalingua was the final speaker to the podium to send a final message about the 5G manufacturing hub.
© 2022 Sammy St. Jean
