Empire State Development Announces Ribbon Cutting for JCC Dulles Building Renovations in Watertown
October 24, 2026
From the office of Governor Hochul
New Home for Mechatronics and Cybersecurity Workforce Training Supported by $8.3M from NYS, including $4M Next Move NY grant
$750,000 grant from Micron Technology to Support a New Degree and Training Program
Photos Inside the New Space are Available Here
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the ribbon cutting for the newly renovated John. F. Foster Dulles Building at Jefferson Community College in Watertown. Featuring state-of-the-art mechatronics labs, a cybersecurity classroom and lab equipped with hands-on servers, and traditional learning spaces, the $11 million-plus project establishes a premier regional hub for innovation, technical education, and workforce development.
"The transformation of the John F. Foster Dulles Building marks a monumental step forward for innovation, technical education, and workforce development in Watertown," said Governor Kathy Hochul. "Through our Next Move NY grant and strategic state investments, we are ensuring that Jefferson Community College has the world-class facilities it needs to train the next generation of workers in advanced manufacturing, mechatronics, and cybersecurity. By connecting these high-tech training programs with our incredible military families at Fort Drum and major economic drivers like Micron, we are fueling regional growth, creating solid career pathways, and securing New York's economic future."
New York State committed $8.3 million in direct assistance for this project, including a $4 million Next Move NY grant from Empire State Development, and $4.3 million through SUNY's capital allocation. Jefferson County also provided a $2.9 million local share matching grant. In addition, Jefferson Community College received a $750,000 grant from Micron Technology to support a new degree and training program focused on mechatronics and the semiconductor industry, which will be housed in the building.
Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York is strengthening its hard-working workforce for the future. By supporting the new training hub at Jefferson Community College, we're meeting the demand for skilled advanced manufacturing and semiconductor labor while creating direct, meaningful career pathways for Fort Drum military service members transitioning to civilian life."
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "SUNY is at the forefront of academic excellence, setting our students on a path to be New York's skilled workforce of the future. We are grateful to Governor Hochul and state leaders for their continued support and investment in SUNY community colleges, particularly for Jefferson Community College for this opportunity, as well as companies like Micron for their partnership. We look forward to seeing how this investment will transform Jefferson Community College and meet the needs of our students and New York State's economy."
Micron Technologies Strategic Program Manager Michael Guttman said, "Micron Vice President of Global Talent Acquisition and Workforce Fran Dillard said, "Building a strong semiconductor industry in New York starts with building a strong talent pipeline. Micron is proud to partner with Jefferson Community College to expand access to hands-on training and create pathways to rewarding careers in advanced manufacturing. The Dulles Building will help equip students, transitioning service members and military families with the skills needed to succeed in the technology-driven economy of the future."
The ESD grant prioritizes military families by reserving 40 percent of program seats for transitioning military personnel and spouses from Fort Drum. This award is part of the $10 million Next Move NY Initiative developed by the North Country Regional Economic Development Council and announced by Governor Hochul in December 2023.
As the closest academic institution to Fort Drum, JCC is uniquely positioned to deliver high-demand technical programming. The initiative aims to drive significant growth across the college, projecting a 13 percent overall increase in JCC enrollment, a 45 percent increase in veteran and active-duty enrollment, and a 15 percent increase in enrollment for transitioning soldiers and spouses.
JCC President Dr. Daniel J. Dupee, II, said, "As the North Country continues to grow and evolve, Jefferson Community College must continue to lead. New industries, new technologies, and new opportunities are emerging all around us. This facility strengthens our ability to respond to those opportunities by preparing students for high-demand careers, expanding workforce development initiatives, and supporting economic growth across the region."
Jefferson Community College Board of Trustees Chair Cindy Intschert said, "The Dulles Building reconstruction reflects Jefferson's commitment to investing in the future of our students and the North Country. By modernizing our facilities and expanding opportunities for hands-on technical training, we are strengthening the college's ability to serve its students and the community, support regional employers, and help drive economic growth for years to come."
Jefferson County Administrator Ryan Piche said, "Today's event is the culmination of all levels of government, education, and industry working together to invest in the future of our community. Students and soldiers are going to be blown away at the equipment and training opportunities provided by this new facility. Thank you to the Jefferson County Board of Legislators, Governor Hochul, the team at Next Move NY, and Micron Technologies."
North Country Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs James McKenna and Dr. Kathryn Morris said, "The transformation of the Dulles Building represents a significant win for the North Country's economic future. Through the Next Move NY initiative, we are aligning our educational infrastructure directly with the needs of emerging high-tech industries, advanced manufacturing, and our valued military families at Fort Drum. This facility will be a powerful catalyst for regional innovation and workforce readiness for years to come."
About Next Move NY
The Next Move NY Initiative builds upon existing programs, partners and funding to create a system that supports, educates, trains, credentials and engages transitioning soldiers and spouses to help fill the employment needs of businesses and employers of the North Country and New York State. The program is being funded through a $10 million grant awarded to the North Country Regional Economic Development Council in 2023 as part of Round XIII of the Regional Economic Development Council Challenge Competition, designed to implement bold proposals to bolster workforce development efforts and address other local concerns.
Across the North Country, employers are facing a severe shortage of workers. Meanwhile, Fort Drum is the largest Army installation in the Northeastern U.S. and New York's largest single site employer, with nearly 15,000 active-duty service members. Through Fort Drum, soldiers and their spouses are relocated from communities across the nation to live, work and serve in New York State. By expanding workforce and training opportunities, the region can expand its offerings to transitioning soldiers to grow and diversify the North Country's economy and meet the many workforce needs of the region.
About Jefferson Community College
Established on November 7, 1961, Jefferson Community College was the area's first institution of higher education. Supervised by the State University of New York (SUNY), Jefferson offers more than 50 associate degrees, certificates, and microcredentials for career preparation and transfer. The college also provides local access to bachelor's and advanced degrees through partner institutions; lifelong learning through workshops and seminars; business and industry training; community-based research; forums for the productive discussion of ideas and regional issues through the Center for Community Studies; and cultural enrichment opportunities that serve the entire tri-county region—Fort Drum's military installation among them. Jefferson, accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, currently serves approximately 3,400 students, many of whom are service members and their families. Visit www.sunyjefferson.edu for more information.
About Empire State Development
Empire State Development is New York's chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state's 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state's world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
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Holly Liapis
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