Zimpher continues SUNY tour touting economic partnership
SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher visited SUNY New Paltz on April 13 to discuss the role of higher education in economic development. The event was hosted by the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. and was Zimpher”™s latest stop on her statewide tour to discuss SUNY”™s critical role in the revitalization of New York”™s economy.
With 93 percent of New Yorkers living within 15 miles of a SUNY campus, and virtually 100 percent living within 30 miles in many communities, SUNY is among the state”™s largest employers. The proximity to the community and the desire to bring economic opportunity to students creates a sound basis for SUNY and the regional business development partners to work together to rebuild New York”™s economic viability and to create an atmosphere conducive to keeping graduates in their home state once they graduate.
“Together with our partners in the Hudson Valley, SUNY is working alongside HVEDC to enhance the ”˜New York BioHud Valley,”™ which has already attracted more than 60 biotech and pharmaceutical companies and created hundreds of jobs for local residents,” said Zimpher. “As SUNY continues to build these types of partnerships across the state, our strength as an engine for the revitalization of New York”™s economy is becoming more and more evident.”
Zimpher said it was imperative the SUNY campuses in the Hudson Valley continue to collaborate with the business community and economic development groups to achieve economic stability in the state.
“SUNY”™s growing involvement with economic development in the state and with the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. is encouraging and will be a big part of the revitalization of the state economy,” said HVEDC President Michael Oates.
“A partnership between higher-education institutions and private business is the long-term solution to better educating our work force, attracting companies to the state, retaining businesses, and creating new jobs for the future.”
SUNY is currently implementing its strategic plan called The Power of SUNY, a roadmap for the next five years and a guide for its development over the next decade. The overarching goal is to create areas of opportunity to SUNY and its campuses to serve as the driving force behind revitalizing the state”™s economy and improving quality of life for its citizens.
SUNY Ulster, Dutchess, Sullivan, Orange, Rockland and Westchester have collaborated to create a Clean Energy Technology Training Consortium, which helps emerging clean energy and energy efficiency businesses and service professionals gain the technical and business-development skills needed in the rapidly developing market for green industries. Â In partnership with New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), SUNY campuses have already provided training to more than 1,500 individuals.