DICKINSON, N.Y. — The Broome County Industrial Development Agency (The Agency) on Nov. 12 issued a request for qualifications and proposals (RFQ/RFP) to plan the creation of a regional advanced manufacturing workforce-training center. The Agency describes it as a “first-of-its-kind facility designed to strengthen the Southern Tier’s growing innovation and manufacturing economy.” The proposed hub […]
DICKINSON, N.Y. — The Broome County Industrial Development Agency (The Agency) on Nov. 12 issued a request for qualifications and proposals (RFQ/RFP) to plan the creation of a regional advanced manufacturing workforce-training center.
The Agency describes it as a “first-of-its-kind facility designed to strengthen the Southern Tier’s growing innovation and manufacturing economy.”
The proposed hub in the greater Binghamton area will serve as the cornerstone of a regional workforce network preparing residents for high-demand careers in advanced manufacturing. The effort aligns with major state and federal initiatives such as the federal tech hub for battery innovation and the Smart corridor supporting advanced electronics in New York State.
“Providing access to foundational skills is essential for preparing the next generation of talent for meaningful careers,” Stacey Duncan, CEO of The Agency and the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce, said. “We’re grateful to Governor Hochul for her continued commitment to strengthening workforce development across New York. With collaboration from state and community partners, this center will ensure people in our community can step into the industries shaping the state’s future, keeping the Southern Tier competitive and innovative.”
The center will focus on offering resources, particularly for those unemployed or underemployed. They include the provision of foundational technical training, credentialing, and essential skills development, while offering wraparound supports that could include financial literacy and other services to “remove barriers to participation.”
It’s described as a plan modeled in part after the Northland Workforce Training Center in East Buffalo.
The Agency will focus on one property in particular for its analysis — the former Titchener manufacturing building on Clinton Street in the city of Binghamton.
The long-term plan will be to expand into a regional network of workforce centers throughout the Southern Tier, including Elmira/Corning, Ithaca, and the eastern portion of the region in areas like Norwich and Delhi.
The initiative comes as major manufacturers expand across the region. They include Amphenol Aerospace, BAE Systems, Toyota Raymond, Siemens Mobility, Alstom, Corning, CAF USA, Lockheed Martin, and Universal Instruments — creating thousands of new jobs requiring specialized technical skills.
Funding for this initiative comes from the Agency and Empire State Development, which has provided $150,000 in planning funds to match the Agency’s contribution.
“This is about designing a workforce system that works for everyone — employers and jobseekers alike,” Omar Sanders, regional director of Empire State Development’s Southern Tier office, said. “The Southern Tier is positioned to lead the state in advanced manufacturing and clean energy workforce readiness.”
The planning process is supported by the Agency and the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, with a project budget of $300,000. The selected consultant will create a roadmap for facility design, curriculum development, partnerships, and long-term operations.
