SUNY New Paltz welcomed SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson and other leaders in government, business and higher education to campus last Tuesday to break ground on a new Engineering Innovation Hub, a state-of-the-art facility that will help support and diversify the college’s rapidly growing engineering programs and support collaboration between the college and local industry.
“Today we celebrate the culmination of so many individual efforts, from both inside and outside the campus, to launch an exciting new project,” said President Donald Christian at the groundbreaking. “The groundbreaking of our new Engineering Innovation Hub represents a clear example of what we can achieve in the interest of our students and the Hudson Valley region through vision, advocacy, collaboration and perseverance.”
The nearly 19,500-square-foot academic building was made possible thanks to a $10 million award from Governor Andrew Cuomo’s NYSUNY2020 grant program, which supports plans to improve economic development in New York State. The college was also awarded $1 million through the governor’s Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council’s annual Consolidated Funding Application.
“This expansion continues our focus on growing high-tech industries in the Mid-Hudson Valley, while providing quality jobs for men and women throughout the region,” Governor Cuomo said. “The Engineering Innovation Hub is a perfect example of investments in academia that help foster business and industry partnerships, create new jobs and ensure the next generation of leaders continue moving New York forward.”
The investment is projected to yield an overall economic impact of more than $75 million and 195 jobs, over a ten-year period.
“Thanks to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s visionary NYSUNY 2020 program, we are able to build Engineering Innovation Hubs such as this one at SUNY New Paltz, attracting new industries and educating a uniquely prepared workforce that contributes to the vibrancy of our state and local communities,” said Chancellor Johnson, whose academic background is in electrical engineering. “Congratulations to President Christian and the entire SUNY New Paltz community. This cutting-edge facility will be a tremendous reflection of your hard work, ingenuity and advocacy.”
The Engineering Innovation Hub will house the new bachelor’s degree program in mechanical engineering, the Hudson Valley Advanced Manufacturing Center (HVAMC), the College’s 3D design and printing program, and space to support businesses participating in START-UP NY, the Governor’s economic development incentive program.
The Engineering Innovation Hub was designed by Urbahn Architects of New York, NY, and is projected to be completed by summer 2019.
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