Economic Look at 2013

1/9/2013 (Updated 6:59:35 PM)

It has been a slow-growth year for both the nation and local economies.

But a local economist thinks the job market might be a bit better in the Binghamton area during this new year.

Christian Harris says he anticipates Binghamton's unemployment rate dropping from 8% to 7% over the next year.

But the jobs won't be in factory work. The manufacturing industry will continue to decline, and the healthcare industry will hold the most opportunity because of aging baby boomers.

"As they get older, they're going to need more health care services.  So that's a growth opportunity for that industry.  And then the workforce within is also aging and retiring out so we're going to have replacement opportunities for individuals there," said Christian Harris, local economist.

Harris said that Governor Cuomo's State of the State speech Wednesday will help further determine the path of New York's economy.