NYPA Board Approves $1.2 Million for Workforce Training Center to Develop Automotive Service Technician Program
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York Power Authority Board of Trustees approved more than $1.5 million in funding awards under the Western New York Power Proceeds program to Northland Workforce Training Center and Top Seedz, a Buffalo-based organic food company, that will spur nearly $9 million in capital investments and support 53 jobs — with 11 of those jobs newly created.
“The Niagara Power Project is a major catalyst of economic growth in Western New York,” Governor Hochul said. “By investing in local organizations like the Northland Workforce Training Center and Top Seedz, we are continuing to support jobs for Western New York’s talented workforce and helping more New Yorkers grow their careers in the region.”
Northland Workforce Training Center, a non-profit that supports the training and development of local labor through public and private partnerships, was awarded $1,174,600 in funding to develop an automotive service technician program to help close the skill gap for local labor trained in the auto industry. Northland will partner with SUNY Erie Community College to provide the program, which will cost more than $4.3 million to implement. The program is expected to enroll 45 students annually and will target students from diverse backgrounds and disadvantaged communities. Students will be awarded college credits and a certificate upon course completion.
The NYPA board also approved a $366,605 funding award to Top Seedz, a Buffalo-based producer of artisan seed crackers and roasted seeds, for a $4.6 million expansion project at its nearly 35,000-square foot facility in Buffalo. The funding will support the purchase of machinery and equipment at the facility and 53 jobs —11 of which will be newly created.
NYPA funding awards are made possible through net earnings resulting from the sale of unused hydropower earmarked for Western New York that is generated at the Power Authority’s Niagara Power Project and stems from legislation signed into law in 2012.
New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “As part of its commitment to secure an economically resilient New York State powered by clean energy, the New York Power Authority leverages low-cost hydropower to grow local economies. NYPA is proud to support the development of Northland’s autoworker training program, helping close the skill-gap that exists in the industry and providing tools of economic empowerment to individuals from diverse backgrounds and disadvantaged communities.”
Empire State Development President, CEO, & Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Northland Workforce Training Center’s new automotive service technician program further accelerates Northland’s drive to train students for the most in demand jobs in the region. Graduates of the program will learn a skilled trade that will prepare them for successful careers in the auto industry. I also congratulate Top Seedz on their spouting success – with seed capital support from ESD, this 43North startup competition winner is making big name for itself with its deliciously healthy crackers made from seeds.”
New York Power Authority Chairman and Buffalo Resident John R. Koelmel said, “The Niagara Power Project is New York’s largest source of clean, renewable hydropower, and it directly benefits Western New Yorkers by creating local jobs, supporting the development of emerging industries, and spurring large-scale capital investment. Today’s funding award to Northland Workforce Training Center will train much-needed workers in advanced automotive technologies and is indicative of the Power Authority’s commitment to improve the economic well-being of residents in our host communities.”
State Senator Tim Kennedy said, “Both the Northland Workforce Training Center and Top Seedz have consistently expanded their footprint in the City of Buffalo through repeated investment in our local economy. This additional funding from the Western New York Power Proceeds program will fuel their commitment to strengthening and diversifying our region's skilled workforce and continue to foster opportunity region-wide.”
Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, “The pipeline for new automotive service technicians has been further solidified thanks to NYPA's considerable investment in the Northland Workforce Training Center and SUNY Erie Community College. Western New York has an extensive network of dealerships, independent auto shops, and transportation companies poised to bolster their employment ranks while providing program graduates with family-sustaining wages. This is a win-win scenario for Western New York thanks to Governor Hochul and the New York Power Authority.”
Assemblymember Monica Wallace said, “Top Seedz is a truly great company that supports our local economy, provides opportunities for new Americans, and creates delicious healthy snacks. This funding from the New York Power Authority makes good use of hydropower sales proceeds by allowing Top Seedz to continue to grow, expand its footprint, and create jobs. I thank NYPA and Governor Hochul for supporting this wonderful business and delivering for our Western New York economy.”
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said, “I commend the New York Power Authority for their support of workforce development in the city of Buffalo and I’m grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul for her continued dedication to economic development across our State. Both the Northland Workforce Training Center and Top Seedz are valuable assets to our City. This investment will help support employment training and job creation in our community.”
Northland Workforce Training Center President and CEO Stephen Tucker said, “New York State’s Department of Labor projects that in Western New York from 2020 to 2030, the number of automotive service technician jobs will rise 35 percent, with a median salary of almost $50,000.00 annually. As such, Northland Workforce Training Center (NWTC) is excited to add a new auto tech program focused on preparing local residents for technical careers with pathways to the middle class. In addition, this aligns with our new 5 year strategic plan further positioning NWTC as one of the premier workforce development organizations in the country. I’d like to thank Governor Kathy Hochul and New York Power Authority for their continued support.”
Top Seedz Chief Operating Officer Will Brady said, “Top Seedz greatly appreciates the support from the New York Power Authority for our expansion project in downtown Buffalo. This support empowers Top Seedz to continue improving and scaling operational capabilities to meet growing demand for our products and we remain on track to be operational in our new facility by the end of 2023. We are very proud to be affiliated with the City of Buffalo, Erie County and the State of New York and look forward to continued growth and success here in the years ahead.”
SUNY ECC Officer-in-Charge Dr. Adiam Tsegai said, “We are excited to be able to expand our successful partnership with Northland Training Center through this funding. With the creation of a city-based training facility, we will increase access to our auto-tech program, providing opportunities for economic development and mobility for our students and their families, while contributing to economic growth of our region.”
New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan
New York State's nation-leading climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues to foster a green economy across all sectors and ensures that at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation’s most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is on a path to achieving a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economywide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York's unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $35 billion in 120 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $3.3 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $2 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 165,000 jobs in New York’s clean energy sector in 2021 and over 3,000 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York’s climate action with nearly 400 registered and more than 100 certified Climate Smart Communities, nearly 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State’s largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the state to help target air pollution and combat climate change.
About the New York Power Authority
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