Governor Hochul Launches Application for North Country’s $10 Million Next Move NY Workforce Development Initiative for Transitioning Soldiers

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the application is now open for the $10 million Next Move NY initiative – the North Country Regional Economic Development Council’s award-winning strategy to strengthen workforce opportunities for transitioning soldiers and their families. Next Move NY will consider projects that will create a workforce development pipeline to retain local soldiers and their spouses by providing opportunities that support, educate and train the more than 3,600 soldiers that transition out of service at Fort Drum each year. Intent to propose applications are available here and may be submitted through Friday, May 3.

"Fort Drum is vital to the North Country's economy, and the soldiers and spouses who currently serve and live here are the key to unlocking the full economic potential for this region," Governor Hochul said. "Next Move NY is creating a robust workforce training pipeline to help soldiers and their spouses receive in-demand job training while connecting them with employers, allowing them to thrive, succeed and ultimately stay in the North Country."

“The North Country is proudly home to New York’s largest single-site employer, Fort Drum, and through the Next Move NY initiative this region can support our military families and expand workforce development opportunities," Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, Chair of the Regional Economic Development Councils, said. “This is an incredible way to capitalize on the North Country’s unique regional workforce assets and support our soldiers beginning a new chapter.”

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "The North Country has a long history of manufacturing, from transportation to advanced manufacturing to agriculture. The potential to attract industries that rely on a well-trained and ready-made workforce right here in the North Country. This initiative will not only help those companies that call the North Country home but will provide trained workers for New York State companies in other regions, keeping our State workforce in New York."

New York State Department of Veterans' Services Commissioner Viviana DeCohen said, "For our transitioning soldiers and their families, Next Move NY is about more than just finding jobs—it is about finding a home in the North Country. With Governor Hochul's support and this initiative, we are not only creating and strengthening workforce opportunities but also nurturing a sense of belonging for those who have served. As we launch the Next Move NY workforce development initiative, New York is opening doors to new possibilities and ensuring that our veterans and their families have the support they need to thrive in our communities."

Next Move NY will build 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 the greater New York State. Applicants will help create the infrastructure and programming to build a workforce development pipeline for transitioning soldiers and spouses. 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. The REDC’s Next Move NY proposal is available here.

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 is New York’s largest single site employer with over 15,000 active-duty service members stationed in Watertown. 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.

Companies such as Micron, which will build the largest chip fab in the nation in Central New York, have listed New York’s significant military population as one of many reasons they chose New York State for their newest megafab. Micron will invest $100 billion in Central New York and is estimated to bring up to 50,000 jobs to the region including 9,000 Micron jobs averaging $100,000 a year.

Applicants seeking consideration for their projects in the Next Move NY Implementation Plan, with potential for Next Move NY funding, may submit an Intent-to-Propose application through the Consolidated Funding Application portal. The Intent-to-Propose should define the project scope, budget, timeline, organizational capacity to implement the project, leveraged resources, and alignment with Next Move NY’s mission, principles and priorities. Projects identified in the Challenges Competition Proposal are considered Priority Projects of the North Country REDC and the Next Move NY initiative. Intent-to-Propose applications can be made through Friday, May 3, 2024 and projects will be reviewed on a first come, first served, on-going basis.

Assemblymember Scott Gray said, “Next Move NY is poised to have a positive impact on the region, as it will support transitioning soldiers and contribute to the overall economic development of Upstate New York and the North Country by creating a workforce development pipeline. I appreciate Governor Hochul's commitment to supporting transitioning soldiers through initiatives like Next Move NY. It solidifies the importance of Fort Drum and the presence of the 10th Mountain Division in New York with continued economic growth and prosperity of the North Country region.”

North Country REDC Co-chairs James McKenna and Dr. Kathryn Morris said, “Next Move NY is a win for transitioning soldiers, the North Country and New York State. This program will offer transitioning soldiers from Fort Drum a seamless connection to jobs, credentialing and degrees in the North Country. Our goal now will be to work with our partners and New York State to help solve the workforce issue for the North Country. Next Move NY will build the most robust transitioning soldiers and spouses workforce pipeline in the country.”

Additionally, in February, ESD approved a Local Assistance Resource Program working capital grant of $1 million, awarded to the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization to support activities and programs to strengthen Fort Drum and enhance its military value to the U.S. Army. The Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization, or Advocate Drum, was formed in 1990 and has supported and facilitated partnerships between the military and civilian communities to meet common needs for housing, utility and transportation infrastructure, healthcare facilities and education. Advocate Drum plays a key role in helping the region respond effectively to the growth and expansion of the U.S. Army installation at Fort Drum.

Advocate Drum Chair David Zembiec said, “Since its formation in 1990, Advocate Drum has worked successfully with community and government leaders to protect Fort Drum through several rounds of military budget cuts; and has supported and facilitated numerous partnerships between the military and civilian communities. This funding demonstrates the Governor’s recognition of Fort Drum’s importance, her confidence in Advocate Drum’s proven track record, and clearly establishes the State as a partner in working to sustain and enhance Fort Drum’s significance to the region and to New York State.”