A May 20 groundbreaking has marked the start of Phase 1 construction for a new Dutchess Community College Center of Excellence for Business, Industry and Innovation (COEBII). The project involves redevelopment of a 75,500-square-feet vacant space at the former Dutchess Mall in Fishkill into a facility that is expected to welcome approximately 450 students a year for training in areas that include advanced manufacturing, HVAC and clean technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, architecture, automotive technology and entrepreneurship.
The Dutchess Mall opened in 1974 and was the first enclosed shopping center between Albany and New York City. During its peak in the 1980s, it was home to outlets for brands such as Waldenbooks, RadioShack, and Foot Locker. In the 1990s, shoppers began to embrace the South Hills Mall and the Poughkeepsie Galleria leading to the mall closing in 2001. In 2006, a major part of the mall was demolished so a Home Depot could be built. In 2021, Dutchess Community College opened an extension center in what had been the Jamesway building at the mall.
The COEBII project has an estimated cost of $15 million, with New York state funding nearly $5 million. Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. has contributed $200,000 toward developing a 9,200-square-feet laboratory for hands-on training in energy technologies including heat pumps, mini-split systems, and high-efficiency electric equipment.
“This investment allows us to expand hands-on, career-focused training that directly reflects the needs of today’s workforce,” said Peter Grant Jordan, president of Dutchess Community College. “By connecting students with modern technologies and real-world learning environments, we’re creating clear pathways to stable, high-quality careers right here in the Hudson Valley.”
“New York’s economic future depends on building strong workforce pipelines that connect New Yorkers to the jobs of tomorrow,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “By transforming vacant space into a cutting-edge workforce training center, Dutchess Community College is helping create new opportunities for students, strengthen regional industries, and prepare workers for careers in rapidly growing sectors.”
The project is supported by a $3 million award through the Mid-Hudson Region’s Upstate Revitalization Initiative allocation and a $1.99 million Office of Strategic Workforce Development Pay for Performance grant.
Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino said, “As the COEBII expands, adding HVAC, Automotive Technology and more, we are creating even more opportunities for high-paying careers in the industries that our community depends on.”
Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs Marsha Gordon and Kristine Young said, “By bringing together education, industry, and community partners in a modern training environment, this project will help position the Hudson Valley as a leader in workforce innovation and prepare students for successful careers in high-demand fields.”
The COEBII is being developed with the cooperation of New York state, Dutchess County, Dutchess BOCES, the Council of Industry, SUNY’s Future of Work Center, and regional industry leaders.
