CenterState CEO Celebrates 2024 Economic Champions

306 Companies Recognized for Creating Jobs; Growth and Expansion; Capital Investments; New Business Openings and More

CenterState CEO Community Visionary Award Presented to Novelis

SYRACUSE, NY – CenterState CEO’s annual Economic Champions Celebration, presented by FustCharles and AmeriCU Credit Union, recognized the collective contributions of 306 companies and organizations to the growth and vibrancy of the Central New York economy. More than 500 community members helped to celebrate during the event at the Oncenter on Nov. 19, 2024.

Together, these nominees were recognized for their aggregate creation of more than 4,725 jobs, over 890,000 square-feet of expansions, and nearly $1 billion in capital investments. In a sign of positive economic momentum, 118 businesses opened new storefronts, offices and facilities; 51 celebrated a milestone anniversary; 159 were received significant awards and achievements and 43 participated in efforts that advance diversity, equity and inclusion in their workplaces and community.

Companies are nominated as Economic Champions by CenterState CEO and the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce, the Upstate Minority Economic Alliance, the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, peers, employees and staff, as well as self-nominations.

“The annual Economic Champions Celebration is a reminder of the power of gratitude and of the importance of celebrating our individual and collective accomplishments,” CenterState CEO President Rob Simpson said. “This event is our opportunity to acknowledge and recognize the hard work of our business community. Thank you to those who choose to invest their hard-earned capital in buildings, in facilities, in their employees and in making our community a better place to live and work. My hope is that all those we celebrate through this event know they are appreciated for the role they play in the region’s growth and in Central New York’s continued transformation.”

CenterState CEO’s awarded this year’s Community Visionary Award, sponsored by Wegmans Food Markets, to Novelis for its commitment to economic opportunity, its leadership and its strategic vision to create greater access to opportunities for those across our community.

“Novelis is a proven community leader and partner – not just in Oswego – but within the greater Central New York region,” said Evelyn Ingram, Wegmans director of Community Engagement. “Novelis has built meaningful partnerships with local organizations and nonprofits, and has shown an incredible commitment to sustainability, supporting STEM education, and preparing the next generation for career opportunities in advanced manufacturing through its support of the Oswego County P-Tech program. Novelis is deeply committed to the Central New York community where its employees and customers live and work. The company and their team of nearly 1,200 employees at the Oswego plant are deserving of this year’s Community Visionary Award, and Wegmans is proud to support its recognition.”

Novelis is a world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling and sustainable aluminum solutions provider. Its Oswego plant produced more than a billion pounds of high-quality aluminum sheet each year and represents Novelis’ first U.S. operation. It stands as the company’s largest, wholly-owned fabrication facility in North America. It makes significant philanthropic investments to local nonprofits and community organizations, and its employees contribute thousands of volunteer hours each year to their community. Its community partnerships include initiatives focused on STEM education, health care, children’s advocacy and education, among others. This includes support for such organizations as the Oswego County P-TECH Program, Oswego County Opportunities, the Oswego Health Foundation, Rosamond Gifford Zoo, The MOST, Children’s Museum of Oswego, Food Bank of Central NY, and many others.

"Novelis Oswego has been operating for more than 60 years with a focus on people. The way we show up in the community is a direct reflection of that," said Kristen Nelson, plant manager, Novelis Oswego. "We seek out meaningful opportunities to support critical human needs as well as opportunities to create and elevate STEM education programs. We also listen to our employees and get involved with the things important to them because they are the ones making the impossible possible through thousands of volunteer hours each year. We are incredibly honored to accept this award and to be able to continue to serve our community.