The Capital Region’s manufacturing sector continued to grow last year – climbing to a 22-year employment high.

The Center for Economic Growth said in 2023, the eight-county Capital Region averaged more than 35-thousand manufacturing jobs. That was an increase of 675 jobs over the previous year and the most since 2002.

Among New York’s 10 economic development regions, only the Western New York region added more manufacturing jobs.

Manufacturers of chemicals, electrical equipment, electronics, machinery, as well as food and beverages were among the biggest gainers of jobs here.

Some recent major manufacturing expansions include: GE Vernova’s investment of $50 million dollars in its Schenectady facility and Adirondack Beverage’s investment of more than $20 million on a new power substation and production line in Glenville.