SUNY Chancellor, HVEDC Host Economic Development Discussion in the Hudson Valley

New Paltz – SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher today discussed the role of higher education in economic development at SUNY New Paltz, as the college hosted the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC) Board of Directors Meeting. Today’s was the latest stop in Chancellor Zimpher’s statewide tour to discuss SUNY’s critical role in the revitalization of New York’s economy.

Chancellor Zimpher said, “Together with our partners in the Hudson Valley, SUNY is working alongside HVEDC to enhance the ‘New York BioHud Valley,’ which has already attracted more than 60 biotech and pharmaceutical companies and created hundreds of jobs for local residents. As SUNY continues to build these types of partnerships across the state, the system’s strength as an engine for the revitalization of New York’s economy is becoming more and more evident.

“It is imperative that SUNY and its campuses in the Hudson Valley continue to collaborate with business, community, and economic development groups like HVEDC so that, together, we can achieve economic stability in this region and across New York."

Mike Oates, President and CEO of HVEDC, said: “SUNY’s growing involvement with economic development in the state and with the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation is encouraging and will be a big part of the revitalization of the state economy. A partnership between higher education institutions and private business is the long-term solution to better educating our workforce, attracting companies to the state, retaining businesses, and creating new jobs for the future.”

SUNY is currently implementing its strategic plan, The Power of SUNY, a roadmap for the University for the next five years and a guide for its development over the next decade. The overarching goal of the plan is to create areas of opportunity that allow for SUNY and its campuses to serve as the driving force behind revitalizing the New York State economy and improving quality of life for its citizens.

In the Hudson Valley, for example, SUNY community colleges at Ulster, Dutchess, Sullivan, Orange, Rockland, and Westchester have collaborated to create a Clean Energy Technology Training Consortium, which helps emerging clean energy and energy efficiency businesses and service professionals gain the technical and business development skills needed in the rapidly developing market for green industries. In partnership with New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), SUNY campuses have already provided training to more than 1,500 individuals.

SUNY is embedded in every community in New York State – 93 percent of New Yorkers live within 15 miles of a SUNY campus and virtually 100 percent live within 30 miles. In many communities, SUNY is also the region’s largest employer.

Today’s discussion is one of many Chancellor Zimpher has conducted across New York State in the past year as SUNY implements the plan and forges partnerships with community groups, businesses and economic development organizations. The chancellor has held these public discussions about SUNY’s role in economic development at the Crain’s Breakfast Forum in New York City; with the Business Council of New York State, Economic Development Council of New York State, New York Council of Mayors and the New York State Association of Counties; and with various business groups, chambers of commerce, and other interested groups in Albany, Clinton, Fulton, Montgomery, Orange, Rensselaer, Rockland, Ulster, and Warren counties, as well as in the cities of Syracuse and Rochester.

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating more than 467,000 students in more than 7,500 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses with more than 2.5 million alumni around the globe. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu 

About Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation

HVEDC represents seven counties in Hudson Valley. This public-private partnership markets the region as a prime business location to corporate executives, site selection consultants and real estate brokers. HVEDC also helped start the branding and promotional effort for NY BioHud Valley. For more information on Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation or to review available business sites, visit www.hvedc.com or call CEO Mike Oates at 845-220-2244.

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