Hudson Valley breaks ground for new manufacturing building

Richard Decker
Staff Writer

Spectators may have froze this past Wednesday in the cold weather, but the ground did not during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new $14.5 million Gene F. Haas Center for Advanced Manufacturing Skills.

Dr. Andrew J. Matonak, President of Hudson Valley, the College Board of Trustees, the Board of Directors of the Hudson Valley Community College, Foundation elected officials, manufacturing industry leaders, students, faculty and staff were all in attendance for the event.

“We at Hudson Valley Community College are proud and excited to break ground on the Center for Advanced Manufacturing Skills today and usher in a new era of progress in manufacturing education in our region,” said President Matonak, who also acted as Master of Ceremonies for the event. “We are bridging the gap between education and real world knowledge.”

Neil Kelleher, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Hudson Valley Community College., reflected on the center’s outlook, stating, “I’m proud to see the community and the college come together to make this newest addition to the Hudson Valley campus possible.
CAMS will be one of the most advanced training centers for manufacturing in the United States, and we all look forward to watching the positive impact it will have on the economic development of our region.”

Dave Larkin, professor of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, remembering early phone calls where he described the center as a pipe dream.

“In the last five years, the U.S. has started to rediscover that manufacturing is an important cog in our economy,” said Larkin. “In June of 2012, we formulated the idea of having an advanced manufacturing center here at Hudson Valley, where we would bring together private business, education, and local and state governments to serve our students and the economy. Now, just in our region alone, in ten years [the Haas Center] will generate $300 million in salaries.”

Larkin also gave great thanks to the Hudson Valley Community College Foundation Executive Director Regina Scarano LaGatta.

“Regina is the straw that stirs the drink,” Larkin said. “I had no idea how hard it was to fundraise $500,000, but, my God, she did it!”

After speeches from industry leaders and school staff, Matonak thanked several elected officials.

“I’d like to acknowledge an investment that we secured through senators Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, as well as our entire legislative delegation, through a federal Economic Development Administration grant.”

“Workforce development is one of the pillars of spurring economic growth in the 21st century and is critical to attracting and growing businesses, especially in the Capital Region,” said Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky.

“Hudson Valley Community College has been training the next generation of advanced manufacturing employees for years and their experience coupled with the program’s expansion will help to ensure local companies have the skilled recruits they’re looking for.”
Matonak then welcomed State Assembly members to the podium.

“Never underestimate what a vision and a small group of people can do,” said Fahy. “We hear it over and over again, but the public-private partnership is what really makes things like this work. [The Advanced Manufacturing Technology Program has] 90 to 100 percent placement rate. That’s what makes a difference, and not many college programs can say that.”

“The fact that we are building a center for advanced manufacturing skills in Upstate New York speaks to a [labor] demand we need to meet,” McDonald, representing the 108th Assembly District, said. “Thank you for your leadership, and thank you for your great work.”

The college said it partnered with several local construction companies to build CAMS, which was designed by Troy-based architecture firm Mosaic Associates. Contractors include: Bette & Cring Construction Group of Latham for general construction; Tri-Valley Plumbing & Heating Inc. of Schenectady for plumbing; John W. Danforth Co. of Ballston Spa for mechanical; T&J Electrical Associates, LLC of Clifton Park for electrical; Comalli Group, Inc. of Albany for communications cabling; and Atlantic Testing Laboratories Limited of Clifton Park for special inspections.

In recognition of Drew’s service to Hudson Valley, the lobby of the new Gene F. Haas Center for Advanced Manufacturing Skills (CAMS) will be dedicated in his name. The Center is expected to open fall 2019.