Niagara gets another $1.3M for Academic Innovation Hub

Earlier this year, lawmakers in western New York helped pour $1.4 million in federal funding into Niagara University to purchase a dilapidated church in Niagara Falls and turn it into an academic innovation hub. The idea was to train workers for high-demand jobs and bring life to run-down areas of the city.

Currently, Senators Chuck Schumer and Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (New York) and Rep. Brian Higgins (D-Buffalo) are supporting the project in the form of federal economic development agency grants to help renovate Niagara. secured an additional $1.3 million. – A 166-year-old building.

The City of Niagara will transform the former First Congregational Church of Christ on Cleveland Street into a hub of talent development and community center, initially in three high-demand areas: Information Technology/Cybersecurity, Supply Chain Management, and Early Childhood Education. plans to offer a certification program in

Schumer said the initial funding was for a “quick start” to the project, and that the new funding would help rebuild the old church, which has been depopulated in recent years as the area around the Bridge district became vacant and the buildings fell into disrepair.

“Niagara University is a leader in developing tech talent in western New York,” Schumer said. The funding “will help Niagara University transform its aging buildings into state-of-the-art workforce training centers to meet the needs of rapidly growing industries throughout western New York.”

Niagara is enhancing its supply chain management and IT programs as Buffalo’s economic development increases demand for workers trained in supply chain and cybersecurity skills. The childcare industry is also facing a nationwide shortage of early childhood educators, and this sector could also serve as a gateway to education, creating a shortage in other sectors as well.

Niagara University’s vice president for public affairs, foreign affairs, and government relations, Tom Burns, said Niagara University bought the building last year for $75,000 and will house two academic classrooms, a conference room, and a computer/technology lab on the lower floors. He said he plans to prepare for many years. The basement of a little-used church. The former church sanctuary becomes a forum for speaker events, concerts, art shows, and community gatherings.

Higgins said the facility will provide underserved community members with access to careers and skills training in their own neighborhoods, “providing skilled workers while creating jobs that support the needs of the economy.” By expanding our workforce, it will be an investment that will benefit local employers and job seekers.”

University of Niagara President Reverend James Maher said the Academic Innovation Hub will also connect Niagara faculty, students and locals to “create opportunities for growth in our communities.”

In coordinating existing academic programs that offer microcourses at the hub, Niagara selected “pipeline programs” identified as high-demand priority occupations by the State Department of Labor and the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council. bottom.

A labor market analysis data set compiled by Invest Buffalo Niagara found significant local, high-income employment opportunities in each of Erie, Niagara, Orleans and western New York counties. .

Burns said Niagara plans to begin construction on its innovation hub in early fall and expects it to take about eight months to open in mid-2024.

Niagara County Community College plans to keep the lights on later this fall and offer a range of programs and support services offered as evening classes through a program called NCCC at Night.

“To meet the needs of current and prospective students, the university will launch 16 degree and certificate programs, as well as student support services and evening meal options,” said NCCC spokesperson Denier Beiter. ‘ said. “Evenings incorporate a variety of programs in education, liberal arts, business, accounting, STEM, nursing, and more.”

Evening classes include teaching English as a second language, physical education, early childhood education, business administration, computer-aided drafting and design, and hands-on nursing. Some other classes are available as evening classes or online.

For more information, visit niagaracc.suny.edu/ncccatnight.

NCCC’s Workforce Development Program is offering a new program in commercial trucking to address the widespread trucking shortage. The university has partnered with the National Tractor Trailer School to offer a program that combines classroom and hands-on training for CDL exams and road tests.

The program offers numerous scholarship opportunities to make enrollment affordable for all. Interested students can visit niagaracc.suny.edu/cdl/ or call NCCC Workforce Development at (716) 614-6236.

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Welcome to Buffalo Next. From real estate to healthcare to startups, this newsletter from Buffalo News provides the latest coverage of the changing Buffalo Niagara economy. For more information, visit BuffaloNext.com.

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