By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
CenterState CEO will soon honor a few good companies as a 2026 Business of the Year.
“The awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of regional businesses and organizations,” said Christa Glazier, vice president of communications at CenterState. “Finalists receive recognition leading up to CenterState CEO’s annual meeting this springs, with winners announced before more than 750 business and community leaders at the event. The honorees benefit from the awards’ distinction, as well as visibility before, during and after the event. Past winners have shared that it is a valuable distinction that showcases the impactful work of their team and employees.”
The awards honor the growth and community enrichment of the companies named.
The award categories are:
• Businesses with Fewer Than 50 Employees
• Businesses with More Than 50 Employees
• Nonprofit
• Community Involvement
• Minority-owned business (in partnership with the Upstate Minority Economic Alliance)
Nominations closed on Jan. 30 and CenterState will announce the winners at its annual meeting in April.
To be eligible for a nomination and win, a company must be a member of the CenterState CEO Network. This includes INSYPRE Innovation Hub clients and tenants, or members of OUT Syracuse for nomination in the category of Businesses with Fewer Than 50 Employees, More Than 50 Employees, Community Involvement and Nonprofit.
Membership in UMEA is required for nominees in the Minority-owned Business category.
Glazier noted that companies that have won within the last five award years (2021-2025) are ineligible for nomination in the same category. Winning isn’t a popularity contest, as selection criteria and award consideration are not based on number of submissions.
A committee within CenterState reviews and evaluates all of the eligible submissions for things such as:
• company growth and achievements
• advancements in products and services
• customer/client satisfaction
• financial performance
• fiscal stewardship/fundraising
• innovation
• employer of choice/employee satisfaction
• community commitment, impact and leadership
• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives within the organization or community.
2025 Winners
• VIP Structures (More than 50 Employees)
The company provides design and building services in the architecture, engineering, construction, real estate management and property management industries. CenterState noted that VIP Structures has finished more than 2,500 new projects. Some of its recent projects include One Webster’s Landing Apartments, the Food Bank of Central New York expansion and projects with Kris-Tech Wire, Bluefors and Anoplate.
Additional finalists in this category include Hidden Level, Inc. and Lotte Biologics USA, LLC
• Home Sweet Home Cleaning and Gardening, LLC (Fewer than 50 Employees)
Providing residential cleaning services in Onondaga, Oneida and Madison counties, Home Sweet Home grew 25% in 2024, accounting for $1.5 million in total revenue. The same year, Home Sweet Home also contributed more than 100 hours of free cleaning for cancer patients in active treatment.
Additional finalists in this category are Chimera Integrations and ConsciousHR
• Oswego County Federal Credit Union (Nonprofit)
The credit union received a nod for its “people helping people” ideology and commitment to the local community, both through how it operates and its programs, including Gloves with Love to offer winter clothing to the needy and CU Cares, which contributes $25,000 to charities. Another is Helping Hands, which educates members about public and private benefits. The credit union works with David’s Refuge to support families with children with special needs and life-threatening health conditions.
Additional finalists in this category include Loretto and YMCA of Central New York
• Upstate Medical University (Community Involvement)
Upstate is very active in promoting health education for providers and for laymen, increasing knowledge of how to better care for their own health. Upstate raises funds through the American Heart Walk and the United Way Community Giving Campaign, among other initiatives. Employees and retirees enjoy volunteering. In 2024, they raised more than $621,000 for United Way. Team Upstate and the Emerging Leaders group represent two more Upstate groups that volunteer. Its forums such as HealthLink and Oasis and partnership with Syracuse City School District, offer education in the community.
Additional finalists in this category include AmeriCU Credit Union and Equitable.
• L Stacks Construction Co. LLC (Minority-owned Business, in partnership with UMEA)
A newer company, L Stacks Construction Co., LLC began operating just eight years ago but has been profitable since 2023 with more than 500,000 in sales in 2024 and the expectation of doubling that within the next few years. The company provides hauling services for new construction sites and focuses on hiring locally, along with helping trucking companies achieve certification.
Additional finalists include Champions Martial Arts Inc. and Cuse Culture Media Group.
