College Breaks Ground on New $12.5 Million STEM Education Center in Malta, Part of HVCC North Expansion Project
June 29, 2022
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the groundbreaking for Hudson Valley Community College's new STEM Education Center at the Hudson Valley Community College North extension center located in New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's Saratoga Technology and Energy Park in Malta, Saratoga County. Once completed, the new two-story, 14,500 square foot building will include state-of the-art labs for anatomy, biology, chemistry, microbiology, and physiology, as well as classrooms, student support space, and offices to serve approximately 1,100 students.
"As we continue to invest in New York's world-class education, transformative investments like these will provide life-changing education to countless New Yorkers," Governor Hochul said. "By leaning into critical fields such as science and technology, we will provide New Yorkers with the skills they need to compete in today's dynamic and ever-changing job market. As we rebuild our economy, projects like this will help ensure that New York remains the most business- and worker-friendly state in the nation."
The center is one part of the college's $12.5 million HVCC North expansion project, which includes New York State investment of approximately $8.5 million. In combination with renovations to the college's existing Training and Education Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing and Alternative and Renewable Technologies TEC-SMART facility, the new STEM Education Center is a key component of the college's plans to increase access to education and workforce training opportunities through new facilities, technology, and instruction.
HVCC North, which is expected to be completed in Fall 2023, will create the space and resources needed for more than 30 degree and certificate programs, as well as non-credit, short-term workforce and professional education offerings. It will also broaden education and workforce training opportunities in highly specialized and growing fields of healthcare, STEM, and skilled trades. HVCC North will allow the college to train hundreds of graduates and address urgent industry needs—while keeping the workforce local and providing a significant economic boost for the Capital Region as the college trains a larger share of the workforce faster.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Workforce development is key to building a skilled talent pool for STEM jobs as New York State becomes a growing hub for semiconductors and other key industries. HVCC North's state-of-the-art of facilities will give students access to jobs of the future that we are creating now and for the future in the Empire State."
SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley said, "Hudson Valley Community College's STEM Education Center is continually growing to make sure training and research opportunities are accessible and successfully prepare students as the next generation of talented workers. New York State needs well prepared and confident employees to fuel the success of 21st century businesses and industry. Our campuses serve as assets in training students to use new technology in high-demand industries. I congratulate HVCC on this expansion, and send my sincere thanks to Governor Hochul and our elected leaders for the significant investment that makes this growth possible."
Hudson Valley Community College President Roger Ramsammy said, "Hudson Valley Community College is thrilled to break ground on our new STEM Education Center as part of this vital Hudson Valley Community College North expansion project. As the needs of our local employers continue to evolve, it is our goal to continue to be the local leader in training the workforce of the future. The development of Hudson Valley Community College North will allow us to do just that, and we are very thankful for the support of our leaders and officials, community and business partners as we work to expand reach and access for the students of our region and train those students to fill the jobs our local industries need to thrive."
The project was supported by a $2.5 million Empire State Development capital grant recommended by the Capital Region Economic Development Council. Additionally, major contributions to the project's funding have been made by SUNY ($6 million) and Saratoga County ($1.5 million), as well as organizations including GlobalFoundries, Northern Borders, and the Hearst Foundation.
Last summer, GlobalFoundries announced a $500,000 gift toward the project that will create a Workforce Training and Apprenticeship Center at HVCC North. The gift will help upgrade the college's existing facilities and create new ones, including an advanced Radio Frequency/Vacuum Technology Laboratory, an innovative Mechatronics laboratory, and the modernization of the Clean Room Laboratory currently located at TEC-SMART.
U.S. Congressman Paul Tonko has also named the HVCC North project as one of 15 FY2023 Community Funding Projects that he recently submitted for funding of $2,065,000 to the House Committee on Appropriations for federal funding contributions.
Congressman Paul Tonko said, "HVCC has long been a key partner in the efforts to turn our Capital Region into a global hub for innovation and STEM education, and I'm proud to stand alongside local leaders to celebrate the expansion of HVCC's North campus. This project will enhance workforce training opportunities, increase enrollment capacity for high-demand health science, STEM, and skilled trades programs, and prepare HVCC graduates to embark on careers in our region's most exciting emerging industries. I was proud to push for significant federal funding for this project as part of this year's Community Project Funding initiative, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this project will have on our region."
Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, RPh said, "The new Hudson Valley Community College STEM Education Center is a tremendous investment in emerging technologies of the future. Thank you to Governor Kathy Hochul, Congressman Tonko, Hudson Valley Community College, and all of the partners who are working to ensure that New York is at the forefront of STEM education and can develop the workforces necessary to bring new ideas and progress to the fields of healthcare, STEM, and the skilled trades."