Featured Mohawk Valley Organization: Institute for Rural Vitality

The Institute for Rural Vitality exists to build resilience and opportunity for rural communities. Our work spans entrepreneurial assistance, shared-use facilities, and microcredential programs that prepare individuals with hands-on, real-world skills. By helping businesses grow, we’re also strengthening local food systems, creating jobs, and expanding access to fresh, locally made products. From farmers and food producers to emerging entrepreneurs, our mission is to ensure that the Mohawk Valley continues to thrive for generations to come.

Did you know…

1. The IRV has supported over 800 entrepreneurs and small businesses in the Mohawk Valley through shared-use facilities, technical assistance, and business development programming.
2. Together, we’ve helped develop more than 135 new products, and participants reported over $2 million in increased sales in the last year alone.
3. In addition to our licensed 20-C commercial kitchens, the IRV is home to a Dairy Processing Center, Meat Processing Lab, and Brewing & Fermenting Laboratory. These state-of-the-art facilities give local businesses the tools and space they need to grow — from scaling up production to testing new recipes and meeting regulatory requirements.

Through its three distinct centers, the Institute addresses the region’s most pressing issues to develop and enact sustainable solutions.

The Center for Entrepreneur Endeavors

The Center for Entrepreneur Endeavors encourages new business development, job creation, and an enlivened local economy through collaborations between SUNY Cobleskill students, faculty, and staff and the surrounding non-profit and business communities. Farm and Food Entrepreneurship cultivates farm-centric and food-centric businesses to ensure the full and profitable use of the region’s considerable natural resources.

The Institute for Rural Vitality at SUNY Cobleskill is designated as the Entrepreneurship Assistance Center (EAC) of the Mohawk Valley under a grant from Empire State Development (ESD).

The Center for Economic and Cultural Development

The Center for Economic and Cultural Development coordinates collaboration among the SUNY Cobleskill Arts and Humanities faculty and regional arts and cultural organizations to cultivate art and culture as drivers of economic development.

The Center for Alternative Career Development

The Alternative Career Development Center develops and offers credentials to gain relevant skills that are needed in today’s workforce. SUNY Cobleskill actively collaborates with organizations to deliver industry demanded education to build our regional economy and match the needs of both students and industry today and in the future.