Mayor Owens and Urban Jobs Task Force Partner to Advance Local Hiring

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Syracuse Mayor Sharon F. Owens joined regional partners to highlight early progress and opportunities tied to local hiring efforts connected to the I-81 Viaduct Project at an upcoming event hosted by the Urban Jobs Task Force (UJTF).

The event presented findings from a report on the Big Table Local Hiring Initiative, which outlines early outcomes, lessons learned, and opportunities connected to initial project contracts in partnership with the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT).

Findings from the report were developed based upon preliminary analysis of the I-81 Local Hire Initiative (January 2023 - August 2025), and include the following results:

• Local residents comprised of 14.9% of the total project workforce, with 263 individual workers
• There was a combined total of 157,729.51 hours worked by local residents, equaling 13.87% of the total hours worked on the project
• Total wages for local residents exceeded $9,564,368, and comprised of 11.72% of the total wages paid for the project
• A total of 50 apprenticeships have been hired and filled by local residents, totaling 31.45% of the total apprenticeship workforce

Featured speakers during the event included Mayor Owens, Elizabeth Parmley of NYSDOT, Ebony Farrow of Syracuse Build, Deka Eysaman of the Urban Jobs Task Force, and Al Marzullo of IBEW Local 43.

"This work is about making sure opportunity reaches every neighborhood in Syracuse," said Mayor Owens. "As we move forward with the I-81 project, we are committed to creating clear pathways for residents to access good-paying jobs, build skills, and be part of the long-term growth of our city.

New York State Department of Transportation Regional Director Elizabeth Parmley said, "Under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul and New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez, NYSDOT is proud to partner with the Urban Jobs Task Force on the Interstate 81 Viaduct Project's Local Hire Initiative. The groundbreaking program has become a national model for states across the nation. Over 300 residents from the City of Syracuse and Onondaga Nation have worked on the project in good paying jobs that would not be possible without the relentless advocacy of the Urban Jobs Task Force and the collaboration of state and local workforce partners. The department will continue to support efforts to enhance workforce practices and invest in the communities that have been impacted most by the viaduct."

Deka Eysaman, President of the Urban Jobs Task Force, said "The I-81 Workforce Equity Report demonstrates the meaningful progress and impact of the I-81 viaduct project on local hiring within our community and putting Syracuse residents to work, culminating from years of hard work and coordination with our partner organizations. The Urban Jobs Task Force is grateful to the City of Syracuse, NYSDOT, and all the I-81 Big Table coalition members for their support, and we look forward to this continued collaboration on the upcoming contracts as part of the I-81 viaduct project."

The Big Table Local Hiring Initiative report will be made available to the public. For more information about the Big Table Local Hiring Initiative and workforce opportunities related to the I-81 project please visit urbanjobtaskforce.org.

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