Empire State Development Announces 12 Workforce Development Awardees For $10 Million Mohawk Valley Empowers Program

Grant Program Designed to Address Regional Challenges and Strengthen Local Workforce Ecosystem

Empire State Development (ESD) recently announced that $10 million in funding has been awarded to 12 different workforce development projects through the Mohawk Valley Empowers program. The three-year, $10 million initiative was launched by Governor Kathy Hochul in April 2024 to strengthen the Mohawk Valley’s regional workforce ecosystem. The program prioritizes empowering people by recognizing the need to increase workforce participation, expand wraparound services, and redefine career readiness, and was the result of extensive collaboration across six counties, nine colleges and BOCES, industry experts and 22 non-profit partners.

ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State continues to establish and nurture the ecosystem that is growing the state’s skilled workforce in key industries. Through the Mohawk Valley Empowers program, we are making strategic investments in programs that are tackling the unique workforce development challenges of the region to create new opportunities for more New Yorkers to succeed in the 21st century economy.”

Since 2011, the Mohawk Valley’s workforce participation rate has remained relatively flat at less than 60 percent. Additionally, 74 percent of the region’s working-age population does not have bachelor’s degrees. Mohawk Valley Empowers was established to support projects that go beyond skills training by empowering individuals through culturally sensitive and community-driven approaches to meet the demands of the growing industry sectors while creating pathways for families to rise out of poverty. Priority was given to proposals based on their ability to meet people where they are on their career journeys, dismantling structural inequities within the workforce.

Awardees include:

Institute for Rural Vitality – SUNY Cobleskill Empowers – $2.6 million

The IRV will provide technical assistance with state-of-the-art equipment for value-added product development and deliver agribusiness-related workforce development training. Value-added product development is a proven model for agricultural sustainability and success; and support will be provided to 60 agribusinesses to develop 90 new products. The IRV will offer micro-credentials at no or subsidized cost to enable sidelined people to enter the workforce and/or to upskill individuals to meet industry needs, providing micro-credentials to nearly 6,000 individuals.

Mohawk Valley Community College – Fast Track Plus – $2.3 million

MVCC will replicate its existing Fast Track model at Herkimer College, SUNY Oneonta and Fulton-Montgomery Community College to better serve the region. MVCC will also pilot the concept of Whole Family Education to serve as a holistic support to help single parents overcome childcare challenges so they can engage in Fast Track training. In this project, single parents will enter training at MVCC two evenings per week, with dinner and childcare provided at the Utica campus of MVCC. Lastly, MVCC wants to better support students at Middle Settlement Academy by connecting them with introductory Fast Track programming, providing valuable workforce experience.

Hillside Children’s Center – $1.6 million:

This program will provide its range of core services by incorporating long-term advocacy and individual mentoring, academic support and enrichment, soft-skills and life lessons, leadership development, employment and higher education-readiness training, and after school jobs with local employment partners. Programming will focus on STEM-CTE and health care, including career exposure and pathways to employment. Emergent workforce needs will be implemented and will include primary, secondary and tertiary care, as well as public health; skilled trades; advanced manufacturing, culinary skills; and information technology.

ARC Lexington – Expanding Education and Careers for People with Disabilities – $977,000

The Transitions program will partner with SUNY FMCC and SUNY Cobleskill to deliver curriculum and skills training to empower individuals with disabilities to enter the workforce. ARC Lexington will develop a micro-credential program focused on providing the training and soft skills necessary for students to join the workforce. The micro-credential offerings are tailored to fill the shortages in the workforce while meeting the goals of the individual students’ interests, and combines specific curriculum from SUNY and FMCC with ARC’s accredited soft skills instruction. Combined, these classes and courses provide a comprehensive skill set for job readiness.

Griffiss Institute – MV Simulcamp – $550,000

MV Simulcamp will provide four weeks of STEM camps at four locations around the Mohawk Valley: Griffiss Institute in Rome, Kernan School in Utica, E.A. McAllister School in Sherrill, and Institute in Marcy. Each week there will be a new STEM theme offered at each location, including coding, chemistry and biology, and aerospace and drones. Over the course of four weeks, each school will host up to 100 students each week for a total of 400 students, with bus transportation and food provided to ensure the wraparound services needed are available to eliminate barriers to attendance. The camp also provides a full-time day care alternative to parents where their children will also engage in scientific discovery and learning.

FCC for Regional Growth – Expertise Project – $549,000

The Expertise Project utilizes video and virtual offerings to build stronger partnerships between students, unemployed and underemployed individuals, and businesses to help foster workforce development. The project works with students, educators and employers to create short videos that introduce different industries and the professionals who work there, and demonstrating how to get training and necessary skills locally in school and the community. The Expertise Project highlights young professionals to reach its target audience, and partners with employers to market their company while building a workforce pipeline.

The Center – New American Career Builder Program – $360,000

Formerly the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees, The Center’s Career Builder program would expand existing Employment and English for Speakers of Other Languages programs to wrap around the MVCC FastTrack offerings, making FastTrack accessible to the local refugee and immigrant communities. The wrap around support services for the Fast Track program would create a career development pathway on-site that is both aspirational and achievable, operating within the Workforce Development Center, newly renovated through the City of Utica’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

Montgomery County IDA – Child Care Expansion – $270,000

This project aims to establish 10 new Family Child Care (FCC) facilities in Montgomery County, strategically located to serve high-need areas. The project will involve recruiting, educating, planning and establishing new family child care educators and facilities. Key issues to be addressed include the high percentage of single-parent households and the commuting workforce, which strain current child care resources. This project comes from a direct result of the recent Child Care Feasibility Study that Montgomery County and Camoin Associates conducted, identifying the lack of quality child care throughout the area.

Greater Utica Chamber – What’s Upstate NY – $260,000

What’s Upstate NY is a regional recruitment and retention tool designed as an information gateway for attracting new talent to Upstate. This project will leverage the What’s Upstate brand to expand its reach, enhance its offerings, and address critical workforce needs across the entire Mohawk Valley through various efforts, including a national digital marketing campaign, community integration and greater collaboration with local employers.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County – Contractor English Program – $246,000

This project will enroll non-native English speakers looking to enter the workforce in an English class that will consist of about six months of general English training and one year of a specialized curriculum focused on vocabulary relevant to the contractor industry. Students will be matched with our partnered contractors for employment throughout the program. Course graduates will be expected to have the industry and language skills needed to independently pursue additional trainings and career development opportunities in English.

Hartwick College – EmpowerU – $190,00

Funds will be used to hire a Program Coordinator to pilot EmpowerU, a partnership with regional human service providers and businesses that will offer a two-year college and workforce training experience for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Designed as a day program from residents, EmpowerU will address challenges and barriers to employment to prepare people for meaningful work in the region’s key sectors. Recruiting mentors from inclusive education, social work/sociology, psychology and nursing ensures the program aligns with regional needs, increasing the likelihood students will remain in the region after graduation.

Pathfinder Village – Employment Technology Training Lab – $98,000

Pathfinder Village supports the full inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through day programs, community-based jobs and community events. Grant funding will be used to establish a tech-driven learning lab in PV’s new Farmstead Employment Training Center. Planned for 2026, the lab will continue advancements made through PV’s current three-year OPWDD Career-Specific Vocational Training grant, providing immersive, tech-supported accommodations and training to adults with I/DD, with a focus on first-tier jobs in culinary and janitorial services. This will feed the workforce pipeline at local tourism businesses, agribusinesses, and professional offices.

Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs Lawrence T. Gilroy III and Dr. Marion Terenzio said, “The programs and partners awarded funding through Mohawk Valley Empowers reflects the breadth of our regional strengths as well as our continued commitment to opening doors to new opportunities. On behalf of the entire Regional Council, and in partnership with ESD, we are excited that these projects and initiatives will make it possible for even more Mohawk Valley residents to find good paying jobs in new and growing industries.”

Senator Patricia Fahy said, “Improving access to career training and wraparound services is how we break down barriers to employment for New Yorkers living with disabilities. These investments in the ARC Lexington, Hartwick College’s EmpowerU program, and Pathfinder Village’s Employment Training Technology Lab will unlock new employment pathways for New Yorkers living with disabilities and their families that will create meaningful opportunities. Thank you to Governor Hochul and my colleagues in the State Legislature for making these investments possible and for recognizing the importance of inclusive workforce development.”

Senator Joseph Griffo said, “The Mohawk Valley Empowers program supports and strengthens the local workforce while meeting the needs of key industries in the region. This funding will help to grow job opportunities and address workforce development challenges in the Mohawk Valley.”

Senator Peter Oberacker said, “It’s great to see continued investments in four cornerstone institutions that are vital to the heart of our communities—SUNY Cobleskill, Hillside Children’s Center, Hartwick College, and Pathfinder Village. These pillars of our community strengthen our local economy and enrich the lives of countless individuals, reinforcing the foundation of our shared future.”

Senator Mark Walczyk said, “Empire State Development has done a great job recognizing the essential role of workforce development within our communities. I’m appreciative because the Mohawk Valley Empowers Program will strengthen the base of our economy – our people.”

Assemblyman Joe Angelino said, “I am so pleased that Pathfinder Village will receive funding to enhance their great work. I’ve been to Pathfinder Village and seen the great work they do with our best citizens. I’ve been served meals from their spotless culinary facility, all prepared by the residents. This grant funding will certainly expand on an already exemplary program of getting Pathfinder Village residents into the job force.”

Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon said, “I appreciate the Governor supporting these programs for the residents of the Mohawk Valley. Each one of these programs enhances opportunities for our students and those looking to develop the professional development.”

Assemblyman Brian Miller said, “Workforce development is key to strengthening our local economy and ensuring that businesses have access to skilled workers. These investments through the Mohawk Valley Empowers program will provide real opportunities for individuals and families while addressing critical workforce challenges in our region. I appreciate Commissioner Hope Knight’s leadership in advancing these initiatives and look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have on our communities.”

Assemblyman Robert Smullen said, “It is incredible to see resources and funding returned to the 118th Assembly District community, including important organizations like the Institute for Rural Vitality, ARC Lexington, the Fulton County Center for Regional Growth, the Montgomery County IDA and numerous others. Strengthening our regional workforce and economy throughout New York State is critical, and our Mohawk Valley community is very deserving. I am excited to see the Mohawk Valley Empowers program help revitalize industries in Upstate New York and promote rural equity statewide.”

Assemblyman Chris Tague said, “I’m incredibly thankful to see this significant investment in our rural communities. This support is critical for the continued advancement and retention of upstate and rural programs that offer work and education opportunities for thousands of New Yorkers. I want to thank Governor Hochul for her directives that initiated this investment, and I want to congratulate our workforce in the Mohawk Valley for their bright futures!”

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.