Over $6M in Recovery Act Grants Go to Two SUNY Community Colleges

Albany, NY - Hudson Valley Community College and Fulton Montgomery Community College have received grants totaling $6,247,857 from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) for job training in health care, biotechnology, and biomanufacturing. The funding comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and is part of the DOL Health Care Sector and Other High Growth and Emerging Industries Grant Program.

It is estimated that, combined, the grants could generate more than 600 jobs in health care and biotechnology industries in the Capital Region.

“Right now, our first priority must be jobs, jobs, jobs. And this type of training will put people in stable, good-paying jobs, something that will help their families and help our economy,” said .S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, who announced the grants today.  “This is a great opportunity to give both students and unemployed workers a future in a growing industry.”

“This is another great example of how The State University of New York campuses are engines of economic revitalization,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “These grants will allow Fulton-Montgomery and Hudson Valley Community Colleges to train and educate even more of our citizens for high demand jobs.  SUNY is grateful for the support of President Obama, Senator Schumer and our state and local elected officials and I commend Presidents Dustin Swanger of Fulton-Montgomery and Drew Matonak of Hudson Valley for the outstanding work they do in support of the communities they serve.”

Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) in Troy, received $3,382,200 for its biotechnology and biomanufacturing program.  The $2,865,657 headed to Fulton Montgomery Community College will fund its Healthcare Employment and Leadership Training Hub program (HEALTH) to serve currently unemployed and incumbent workers.

Through the Health Care Sector and Other High Growth and Emerging Industries Grant Program, the Department of Labor is investing in job training programs that prepare workers for careers in health care and biotechnology. Employment growth in these industries (particularly in health care) will be driven by the significant demand increases of an aging population and projected retirements for the current workforce.  Additionally, the program includes funding to provide current employees a pathway to career advancement in high-tech fields that require new skill sets.

Hudson Valley Community College

In partnership with two area high schools, HVCC will serve as a hub for biotechnology and adult education. The program will award graduates with an industry-recognized certificate or an associate degree in biotechnology - an additional program in biomanufacturing is in development. HVCC will train 415 displaced workers and college students, 400 of whom will be placed in related jobs. Last fall, Senator Schumer wrote to Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis touting the merits of the HVCC program and the growth potential of the Capital Region’s healthcare workforce. The full text of the letter is shown below the grant description.

“With this grant funding, Hudson Valley will serve as a hub for the science education community, bridging those with an interest in the sciences at the high school level and leading them on a path that can end with great careers in the growing biotechnology industry,” said President Andrew Matonak. “We are pleased that the federal government recognizes the leadership role we can take in furthering this growing industry.”

The college already has a two-year biotechnology associate degree and a one-year biotechnology certificate, as well as a two-year biological sciences degree, which serves as a transfer degree for those pursuing pre-med, veterinary or other research heavy baccalaureate degrees.  Most students entering the biotechnology degree or certificate find work as biological research and forensic technicians, a career field that is expected to growth both locally and nationally.

Fulton Montgomery Community College

FMCC will train a total of 233 people. One hundred two people will complete training to become Certified Nursing Assistants, and 17 will complete the Registered Nurse program. These 102 CNAs and 17 RNs will be then placed in training-related employment. One hundred fourteen current Registered Nurses will complete supervisory training to upgrade their skills.

“FM is excited to receive this Stimulus funding to help us to address a community need. Being selected as one of only fifty-five awards nationwide in this competitive funding program demonstrates not only the quality of our programs and success we can have as an area working together to build a better future, but it also demonstrates the significant need and financial hardships our region has experienced,” said Dr. Dustin Swanger, President of FMCC. “I also want to thank the Obama administration and our New York State representatives; Senator’s Schumer and Gillibrand, and Congressman Tonko for providing the funding to make this program possible.”  

FMCC’s HEALTH program has extensive network of community partners. In addition to local school districts, the college plans to work with a variety of partners in higher education and industry locally, including The University at Albany, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Albany Medical College and local pharmaceutical companies such as Regeneron and AMRI. 

About the State University of New York

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