On Monday, May 13, County and educational leaders announced the signing of two leases at iPark 87 that will create an innovative workforce development hub intended to expand access by residents to job opportunities and attract new industries to the County.

Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and UCEDA Chair Gregory Simpson announced the signing of a master lease for 40,000 square feet of space to create the Sustainable Ulster Workforce Innovation Center, a collaboration of the County, SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Ulster, Ulster BOCES, and community-based partners. They were joined by Ulster BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Jonah Schenker, who announced a lease for 105,000 square feet of space for a new Career and Technical Center in the same building complex.

The Sustainable Ulster Workforce Innovation Center will house the Ulster County Departments of Employment & Training, Tourism and Economic Development, with programming space for workforce development partners, along with new instructional and programming space for SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Ulster, Ulster YouthBuild, and other partners. The planned state-of-the-art Ulster BOCES Career and Technical Center in the same building complex will serve approximately 1,200 students.

“This project is truly transformational for Ulster County, involving a unique collaboration of government, educational and community-based partners, and businesses,” said Metzger. “Our shared vision is to create a vibrant hub of learning and professional development, and a direct pathway into jobs through partnerships with employers. No matter where you are in your level of education, no matter what your economic or life circumstances, you will have opportunities here. And from an economic development perspective, the workforce innovation hub will better position Ulster County to proactively attract the kinds of businesses that contribute to a diverse, sustainable, and resilient economy in our County and region.”