Total employment at Corning facilities in the area is currently estimated to be at approximately 7,000 people. In the 12 months ending November 2000, non-agricultural employment in the area increased by approximately 2,400 jobs, or 2.8 percent. Gains in Steuben County accounted for more than 80 percent of the increase. It is estimated that more than 50 percent of the newly created jobs were in either high-paying manufacturing or professional service sectors. As of November, the unemployment rate for the area had declined from 5.3 percent a year ago to 4.4 percent.
Labor shortages continue to exist in certain high-technology occupations.
A substantial part of the sales market in the Elmira-Corning area consists of older, modest homes. Consequently, the market is extremely affordable. Existing home sales in the area have increased significantly since 1997. In 1997, existing home sales totaled 1,564 homes. In 1998 and 1999, the most recent period for which data are available, sales averaged approximately 1,900 homes annually.