Empire State Development today announced $4 million to support the Next Move NY Vocational Training and Job Readiness Facility at Jefferson Community College (JCC). The new facility will enhance offerings at the college and further develop the workforce pipeline for transitioning Fort Drum soldiers and spouses. A grant of $600,000 was also awarded to Advocate Drum, the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization, for development of the Next Move NY Live, Love, Stay Program. These two awards are 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.
“ESD and the North Country REDC are working hard to build a workforce pipeline for transitioning Fort Drum soldiers to New York’s job market, said Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight. “These awards to JCC’s Next Move NY Vocational Training and Job Readiness Facility and Advocate Drum’s Next Move NY Live, Love, Stay Program will help keep veterans in New York State, fuel economic growth and open new opportunities in the region.”
JCC’s $13 million Next Move NY Vocational Training and Job Readiness Facility will establish a training hub for the Next Move New York initiative to support transitioning soldiers and spouses from Fort Drum into local employment. As the closest academic institution to Fort Drum, JCC is well-positioned to offer new, high-demand programming in engineering technology, mechatronics, advanced manufacturing and the skilled trades. The college will renovate and outfit the Dulles Campus Building to accommodate such programming. The investment aims for an anticipated 13% increase in JCC enrollment overall, 45% increase in Veteran and Active-Duty Enrollment and a 15% increase enrollment for soldiers/spouses transitioning from Fort Drum. The renovated facility and investment will also enable JCC to develop educational programs in critical workforce and trade skills areas, addressing the needs of regional employers, while supporting transitioning military members and their families.
Jefferson Community College President Dan Dupee said, “We are honored to receive this significant support through the Next Move NY initiative. This investment will allow us to establish a state-of-the-art Job Readiness Facility dedicated to supporting Fort Drum soldiers, veterans, and their families as they transition to civilian life. We are deeply grateful to Governor Hochul, the Governor’s Office, and the North Country Regional Economic Development Council for this incredible opportunity and for selecting our proposal among so many strong submissions. This facility will not only strengthen our college but also bolster the regional workforce and create new pathways for success in high-demand careers.”
With its grant, Advocate Drum—also known as Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization or FDRLO—will work with the Development Authority of the North Country to establish the administrative framework to implement the Next Move NY Live, Love, Stay Program. The Next Move NY Live, Love Stay Program is focused on getting soldiers and their families to consider putting down roots in the North Country after they separate from service, and to build careers and futures in the region. It is hoped that by working with local partners to highlight the various cultural and recreational amenities the North Country has to offer, soldiers and their families can see themselves as part of the community and decide to transition to civilian employment locally after their military service is completed. FDRLO will also work with Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) to provide Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programming for local businesses interested in welcoming, hiring and retaining a diverse workforce.
Advocate Drum Executive Director Michael S. McFadden said, “Advocate Drum is very excited to be a partner in the Next Move NY program, helping retain the talented transitioning soldiers and their families here in the North Country. I can’t think of a better way to grow our local workforce than to recruit some of America’s best, our former Soldiers and families of the 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum.”
Both the JCC and Advocate Drum projects are priorities outlined by the North Country REDC in the Next Move NY initiative. The Development Authority of the North Country was previously awarded $3.94 million to establish the administrative framework to implement the Next Move NY regional plan and to help build the most robust transitioning soldier and spouse retention pipeline in the country.
North Country REDC Co-chairs James McKenna and Dr. Kathryn Morris said, “Meeting the workforce needs of the North Country by retaining transitioning soldiers and their spouses will enhance economic prosperity across the region and New York State. The NCREDC is proud of the bold Next Move NY initiative and with these grants we will begin to unlock the immense potential we have right in our backyard.”
Jefferson County Administrator Ryan Piche said, “Jefferson County and Fort Drum have a long history of mutual support and growth. Next Move New York is a smart, targeted investment in our local workforce that will strengthen the ties between our brave military families and the North Country economy. Jefferson Community College and Advocate Drum are proven partners that understand the importance of Fort Drum in the regional community.”
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 the Regional Economic Development Councils
The Regional Economic Development Council initiative is a key component of the State’s approach to State investment and economic development. In 2011, 10 Regional Councils were established to develop long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. The Councils are public-private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations. The Regional Councils have redefined the way New York invests in jobs and economic growth by putting in place a community-based, bottom-up approach and establishing a competitive process for State resources. Click here to learn more.
About Empire State Development
ESD 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 ILOVENY. For more information, please visit ESD’s website here, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter.
Contact:
Laura Magee | Laura.Magee@esd.ny.gov | (716) 846-8239
Press Office | pressoffice@esd.ny.gov | (800) 260-7313
