Jobs are on the upswing in New York, as two major employers announce new jobs are on the horizon.

Bausch + Lomb will add a major expansion of their contact lens manufacturing operation, adding 100 jobs.

“These increased manufacturing capabilities will enable our company to meet a heavy global demand for one of our newest innovations, daily disposable silicone hydrogel lenses,” said Joe Hart, executive director of site operations for the company’s Rochester office.

The announcement was made hours after Amazon confirmed it would be building one of its two new headquarters in New York City. The other new facility will be built in Alexandria, Virginia.

Earlier this year, a joint proposal from Rochester and Buffalo to host the new Amazon facility was rejected.

Both Amazon and Bausch + Lomb will accept state incentives for their new efforts.

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, speaking in Rochester, said the good news for both cities is good news for the whole state.

“It’s not an us against them proposition,” she said. “When a project goes to New York City, I’d rather have it in New York City than going to another state. I think that’s why we should view this more as a win.”

“In many ways, not getting this project could be a blessing, because I’m not sure anybody can fulfill 25,000 or 50,000 jobs that quickly,” Robert Duffy of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce said, referring to the Amazon decision. “We have a hard time filling some of our jobs right now, but I do think we got on Amazon’s radar.”

Amazon is set to receive $1.2 billion in tax credits through the Excelsior Jobs Program, which will also give Bausch + Lomb a boost.

“I think that we should recognize that, compared to going to some other state, we are going to be long-term beneficiaries of their services,” Hochul said.  

Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren welcomed the news, a positive development while, across town, Thomson Reuters announced it would be closing its doors.

“Our first thoughts are with the area families who will be affected by these cuts and this announcement only deepens our resolve to work every day to create more jobs and job opportunities,” she said. “Only through job growth can we build safer and more vibrant neighborhoods and better educational outcomes for all citizens.”

But not everyone is thrilled with the developments.

State Senator Cathy Young said it’s the largest amount New York has ever pledged to a single company.

“Overburdened New York taxpayers, particularly those in upstate who are seeing their communities and families decimated by job losses and lack of opportunity, have every right to be outraged by this massive giveaway,” she said.

The project gets underway later this year and is expected to be completed in 2022. A similar expansion is taking place at the company's Ireland location.