Special Report: Highlighting the International Fabric of CNY

By Mary Beth Roach

Between 12% and 13% of businesses in Central New York are owned by someone who was not born in the United States.

This is data from the 2021 U.S. Census Bureau American Business Survey, made available by the CenterState CEO and based on business owners who reported.

Dean Prabakar Kothandaraman of SUNY Oswego’s School of Business sees this percentage growing from here.

He credited that growth, in part, to a “pretty vibrant support system in New York” and underscoring the new investments and the ability to get advice, resources and mentorship.

However, behind these numbers are real people.

We talked to several immigrants in Onondaga and Oswego counties who have arrived here — under various circumstances.

Some are recent arrivals to this country; some have been here for decades. Some fled their homelands, oppressive rulers and civil wars and lived in refugee camps before arriving in the States. Some came in pursuit of higher education. They have learned how to open and run a business or work their way up in corporations to positions of leadership.

Their businesses, like their histories, are varied. While some provide services, others celebrate their native cultures in food. And several have launched initiatives or become part of organizations as a means to give back to their communities.