A new workforce development project in Dutchess County is moving from plan to construction. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the groundbreaking for Dutchess Community College’s Center of Excellence for Business, Industry and Innovation in Fishkill, a $15 million project designed to connect students with career training in fast-growing sectors.
The center will reuse about 75,500 square feet of vacant space at the former Dutchess Mall. Planned programs include advanced manufacturing, HVAC and clean technology, cybersecurity and AI, construction and architecture, automotive technology, and business entrepreneurship.
State support includes a $3 million award through the Mid-Hudson Region’s Upstate Revitalization Initiative allocation and a $1.99 million Office of Strategic Workforce Development grant. The college expects the center to serve about 450 students annually by 2030.
For Hudson Valley employers, the project is also a workforce pipeline investment. The state described the center as a way to pair training with transportation assistance, academic support, case management and job placement services.
Official source: Governor.NY.gov.