Local Area

Black River Systems Company is headquartered in Utica, New York. With just over 60,000 people, Utica is located in central New York in the Mohawk Valley region, between Syracuse and Albany.

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  Proximity

  The location of Utica is ideal. Living here, you benefit from the smaller city environment (low crime, good schools, light traffic); yet, you can still enjoy big city life. If you want to spend a night or weekend in Boston, New York City, or Montreal, they’re only a 4 hour drive away. Utica allows you easy access to the big cities while living and enjoying daily life here, in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. The Mohawk Valley, Adirondack, and Thousand Island regions of New York State host some of the most beautiful locales in the world. Lake Placid, Old Forge, Saranac Lake, Inlet, Blue Mountain Lake, and Alexandria Bay.
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  Local Cuisine

  Utica is known for its Italian Cuisine ranging from sophisticated candlelit restaurants to bistros and pizza joints. In addition, the area hosts fabulous French, Greek, Japanese, Vietnamese, Mediterranean, Mexican, Indian and American restaurants.
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  Arts & Music

  There is never a lack of the arts in the Mohawk Valley to enjoy. The Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute is a world class art Museum that also sponsors the Great Artist Series of music performances, a renowned annual sidewalk art show, and public art classes. The historic Stanley Theatre hosts Broadway shows of all types. We boast an International residence program for sculptors, and one of the biggest annual antique festivals in the nation. The Turning Stone Resort and Casino, which offers world class entertainment, golf and dining, is only 20 minutes away.
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  Recreation

  The Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks offer a rich tapestry of scenery, wildlife and year-round outdoor activities. During the summer, enjoy the majesty and beauty of our area. Hunt, fish, hike, camp, rock climb, mountain bike, swim, boat. Relax in a canoe on a quiet, loon-inhabited lake, or amp the adrenaline in a powerboat, Jet Ski or whitewater raft. The Adirondacks contain more than 3,000 lakes and ponds, and more than 6,000 miles of rivers and streams. Winter here means snow. And snow means cross-country and downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice skating, and curling (Utica is home to one of the few world class facilities in the nation). Nearby, we have 8 local ski resorts, including one within the city limits. Most of these downhill resorts offer groomed cross-country trails, as do many local municipalities. For those inclined to motor sports, central New York offers thousands of miles of trials for snowmobile enthusiasts. Extensively groomed trials, sparkling snow, and welcoming accommodations make central New York and the Adirondack a magnet for many winter visitors.
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  Quality of life

  The incredibly manageable cost to rent and buy homes help make the Mohawk Valley an enviable place to live. The wide variety of restaurants, festivals, entertainment, shopping, and outdoor activities make living here a wonderful experience.
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  Educational Opportunities

  Utica is surrounded by higher education – in fact over 20,000 students flood to our area each year to attend local colleges like SUNY IT, Utica College, Hamilton College, Colgate University, Mohawk Valley Community College, Herkimer County Community College and Pratt Institute. Syracuse University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are also nearby.
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  Family Attractions

  There is no better place than the Mohawk Valley to raise a family. It is a safe community, boasts great school systems and a diverse population. Activities for families include Enchanted Forest Water Safari, the Children’s Museum, the Utica Zoo, plenty of children’s activities and a fantastic playgrounds. Learn about Revolutionary War history at Fort Stanwix in Rome and for gems at the Herkimer Diamond Mines… in the same day!
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  Signature Events

  Thursday nights in Utica belong to Saranac. Our local brewery plays host to thousands of citizens who listen to great music and enjoy Saranac products, then overflow onto Varick Street – an ever-growing row of bars, restaurants and specialty shops. Every July, the Boilermaker road race brings visitors from around the world to the nation’s biggest 15k race. Some say you aren’t a true Utican until you run it, but just watching 11,000 runners go by is fun too.