SENATOR BRUNO ANNOUNCES FUNDS FOR TEC-SMART FACILITY IN SARATOGA TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY PARK

Partnership Between HVCC and NYSERDA Will Train High-Tech Workforce

Friday, September 14, 2007

New York State Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno today announced $13.5 million in state funding for TEC-SMART, a collaboration between Hudson Valley Community College and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to build a skilled high-tech workforce in the Capital Region. The funds will be used to construct a TEC-SMART facility in the Saratoga Technology and Energy Park in Malta, and for any necessary furnishings and infrastructure.

TEC-SMART (Training and Education Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing and Alternative Renewable Technologies) will feature a clean room facility, classrooms and labs that will be used to train the area�s workforce in emerging technologies -- including semiconductor manufacturing; alternative fuels; and photovoltaic, geothermal, and wind energy. The facility will also provide energy efficiency training for the building trades.

"Hudson Valley Community College has been a leader in technology education for over 50 years," said Senator Bruno. "By collaborating with NYSERDA to expand their current program, HVCC will build on their past success and continue to produce a skilled workforce -- one companies like AMD, Sematech, and GE Global can utilize as they locate and expand their operations here in New York. This facility is going to become the premier center for hands-on education, and will establish New York State as a national leader in training for the high-tech industry."

"Hudson Valley Community College is excited to work with Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority on this important initiative," said Hudson Valley President Andrew J. Matonak, Ed.D. "TEC-SMART will allow Hudson Valley Community College to continue its long standing commitment to the technology industry by providing the skilled workers it requires for the growing semiconductor manufacturing and renewable energy industries of today and tomorrow."

President and CEO of NYSERDA, Paul D. Tonko said, "NYSERDA looks forward to having Hudson Valley Community College as a member of the growing STEP community. HVCC will play an important role at STEP and in the State, providing education and training for New York's future high-tech workforce. Services in this field are increasingly in demand due to the new and innovative clean-energy technologies and services that are entering the marketplace. STEP, a knowledge community, will support that growth with the help of TEC-SMART and through collaboration of companies, resources, and ideas in the heart of New York�s Tech Valley."

NYSERDA has provided more than $2 million in funding to Hudson Valley Community College for Photovoltaic and Building Performance Training programs. TEC-SMART will yield even more opportunities to expand the clean-energy workforce in New York State.

In order to keep up with industry employment needs, TEC-SMART will need to train between 500-600 technicians in the next five to ten years. Hudson Valley Community College will spearhead, coordinate, and develop all educational and training programs offered at the facility, working in partnership with NYSERDA, other local and state agencies, and industry experts in order to ensure TEC-SMART produces skilled technicians ready to meet growing workforce demands in the high-tech industry.

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