Empire State Development Announces $5.5 Million in Funding for the RochesterWorks Downtown Career Center at Monroe Community College

November 13, 2024

Inclusive Collaborative Training Hub Will Be a One-Stop Shop Ready to Assist Job Seekers with Workforce Development Wrap Around Services

Funding Provided by the Transformative $300 Million Public-Privately Funded Regional Revitalization Partnership

Workforce Development is a Key Component of “Finger Lakes Forward” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced a $5.5 million investment through the transformational Regional Revitalization Partnership (RRP) to assist with establishing the RochesterWorks Downtown Career Center at Monroe Community College in the City of Rochester. The new, comprehensive one-stop career center will invite the co-location of fellow agencies providing workforce development and supportive wrap around services to members of the community seeking employment or training for career pathways. By co-locating agencies providing workforce preparation services and supportive services – such as the New York State Department of Labor, which currently operates a small Rochester Career Center with plans for future growth on-site, and other community-based organizations- it will improve access by directly linking service providers with jobs seekers, enhancing the ability to more easily navigate a career pathway. The project aims to remove barriers to participation in the workforce that most acutely impact populations that are historically underrepresented in the labor force. RochesterWorks operates Monroe County’s workforce development board and administers state and federally funded workforce and employment programs on behalf of the County and the City of Rochester.

Empire State Development President and CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, "The RochesterWorks and Finger Lakes Workforce Development Center at MCC's campus in downtown Rochester will support critical workforce development efforts within the region and advances Empire State Development's broader statewide goals. This innovative, collaborative initiative provides talented job seekers with convenient, local access to training and opportunities, helping them navigate a pathway into a promising professional career.”

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “The RochesterWorks Downtown Career Center is a crucial investment in expanding access to job training and services for underserved populations. By co-locating workforce and support services, we’re empowering New Yorkers to gain the skills needed for today’s economy and driving inclusive growth in the Finger Lakes region.”

In addition to the $5.5 million RRP grant, both the State University of New York (SUNY) and Monroe County have proposed $2.75 million in their respective capital projects plan. Other RRP partners are additionally supporting this project including the William & Sheila Konar Foundation, which contributing $500,000, and the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation, which is making a $1 million investment. U.S. Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirstin Gillibrand and Representative Joe Morelle secured another $1.6 million for the center buildout. The total project cost has been placed at $14 million.

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said,” Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said, “The RochesterWorks Downtown Career Center at MCC will empower jobseekers by providing comprehensive support, resources, and opportunities to help them succeed in today’s workplace. This innovative program will break down barriers to sustainable employment and economic empowerment by offering skills training, job placement, and other wrap around services. I'm grateful to Gov. Kathy Hochul for this investment, which will have a transformative effect, as well as our partners at Monroe Community College and the State University of New York."

RochesterWorks Executive Director David Seeley, said, "For more than two decades, RochesterWorks has been a source of hope and opportunity for job seekers across Monroe County, while equipping our local employer community with the workforce it needs. This strategic partnership with MCC brings together two organizations vital to ensuring that the Rochester region has a labor force capable of meeting the demands of our imminent economic growth. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Governor Hochul and all our funding partners for helping turn our vision of a true comprehensive one-stop career center into reality.”

This downtown career center further complements the focused work already underway at the New York State Supported Finger Lakes Workforce Development Center at the MCC downtown campus. The state-of-the-art center focuses on short-term and accelerated, technology-oriented training programs that place individuals in high-demand jobs within advanced manufacturing, information technology, skilled trades, apprenticeship-related instruction, and professional services. The new facility is a model for co-locating multiple colleges and private-sector entities to help fill employers' growing needs for skilled technicians and help restore the regional economy.

Monroe Community College President Dr. DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna said, “The co-location of the RochesterWorks career center on Monroe Community College’s downtown campus, including the FWD Center, further advances our mission of transforming lives and communities through affordable and innovative academic, career, technical, and workforce development programs. We are proud to work with our state, regional, and local partners to eliminate barriers to high-quality education, to unlock opportunities for students to earn life-sustaining wages, and to catalyze bright futures, for our community and its people.”

SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. said, “Monroe Community College is a center of excellence in workforce development and a backbone of upward mobility for the Rochester area. This investment by Governor Kathy Hochul is a testament to MCC and will greatly enhance the campus’s ability to help students successfully bridge the gap between education and employment.”

The RRP initiative is designed to maximize social and economic impact efforts in Rochester, Buffalo and Niagara Falls by co-investing in projects and programs aimed at improving economic conditions to benefit these communities' residents and businesses. Overall, New York State has committed $200 million for the initiative and Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, along with other philanthropic and corporate partners, have committed $81 million. The remaining $19 million is coming from city and county governments.

In June, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the phase one Rochester projects that had been selected for RRP funding representing a nearly $26.3 million investment from initiative collaborators. The projects were selected after a review process which included a series of community engagement discussions and initiative requirement evaluations conducted by RRP partners.

Overall, Rochester is set to receive a combined $80 million for the effort, which includes major additional investments in the city's ongoing waterfront efforts, such as ROC the Riverway and High Falls State Park; further support/expansion of multi-faceted workforce training programs/facilities; and targeted small business assistance along commercial corridors in that city's most disadvantaged neighborhoods. Information regarding additional available RRP funding for Rochester focused projects is available here.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “It’s critical that Rochester’s workers have the skills and resources they need to secure high-quality, good-paying jobs. I’m proud that I secured $1.6 million in federal funding so Monroe Community College can help members of the Rochester community gain skills and find employment at the new RochesterWorks Downtown Career. Investing in tomorrow’s workforce is key to boosting the Rochester-Finger Lakes’ economy, all while ensuring people can get good-paying jobs to build a life for themselves and their families. I’m grateful that Governor Hochul is putting these funds to good use and will never stop fighting to support Upstate NY’s workers.”

U.S. Representative Joe Morelle said, “Businesses across the country are facing a shortage of qualified workers—which is why investments like this are so important to help train and grow our workforce. This investment builds on funding I helped secure at the federal level to establish RochesterWorks’ new one-stop career center at Monroe Community College and better connect people with high-quality job opportunities. I’m grateful to my good friend Dave Seeley and the entire team at RochesterWorks for all they do and to Governor Hochul for her dedication to supporting our local economy.”

State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, “RochesterWorks’ new Downtown Career Center will provide a one-stop shop for job seekers to connect with vital workforce development programs and services. I want to thank Governor Hochul for making this investment into workers, connecting Monroe County residents to new career pathways, and helping contribute to a strong and thriving local economy.”

State Senator Samra Brouk said, “The establishment of the RochesterWorks Downtown Career Center at Monroe Community College (MCC) will directly link job seekers with service providers. Such partnerships recognize the historic barriers to workforce participation and offer important resources to help individuals navigate career pathways. I applaud Governor Hochul for uplifting our working people.”

Assemblymember and Labor Chair Harry Bronson said, “The first step to meaningful employment is increasing access to opportunity. The partnership between RochesterWorks and Monroe Community College is that access. By consolidating the needs of job seekers into one strategic co-location, they are reducing barriers to employment so people will successfully move into jobs and apprenticeships in key industries. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for your funding and support - this is the type of transformative, forward-thinking approach our labor market requires to reach people who have been historically left out of the economy and increase equity in our workforce.”

Assemblymember Demond Meeks said, “Resources provided by RochesterWorks are essential to creating skilled workers, supporting struggling job seekers, and promoting lasting change throughout our community. This brand-new downtown career center will provide a centralized location and greater accessibility to dependable services for our residents and families. It is necessary that we continue to work together to provide underserved members of our community with skills and opportunities that allow them to thrive. Thank you to Governor Kathy Hochul and RochesterWorks for their continued commitment to the people of Greater Rochester.”

Assemblymember Sarah Clark said, “Ensuring everyone has access to the resources they need and the opportunity to grow their skills is essential for a healthy community. The support and resources offered by the RochesterWorks Downtown Career Center will help people throughout our community provide for themselves and their families while advancing in a career. I am grateful for the support of Governor Hochul, Senator Schumer, and Congressman Morelle and the partnership of SUNY and MCC to make this possible.”

Mayor of Rochester Malik D. Evans said, "This investment comes at a critical time for our region. By providing training for skilled jobs and necessary wraparound services, we’re preparing individuals for high-demand careers, and creating opportunities for all residents to thrive in today’s economy. Governor Hochul’s ability to bring people to the table to strategically invest in our region’s future will benefit Rochester for generations to come."

President & CEO, Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation David Egner said, “The RochesterWorks and Finger Lakes Workforce Development Center at Monroe Community College's campus is redefining what it means to respond to today’s complex job market. By centralizing essential resources and staying responsive to employers’ needs, they're ensuring that everyone—no matter their background—has access to the tools and guidance necessary for success. The Regional Revitalization Partnership continues to prove that collaboration on all levels drives long lasting benefits for our communities. “

William & Sheila Konar Foundation Trustee Howard Konar said, “We are proud to partner on this RRP investment in the Downtown Career Center. This project will help centralize and improve workforce development for Rochester and the surrounding community. We believe it will improve both access and collaboration and help enhance economic opportunity for all of our residents.

OneROC President and CEO Dr. Joseph Stefko said, “The investment to locate RochesterWorks’ primary one-stop career center at Monroe Community College’s downtown campus will help transform our workforce development ecosystem. It will yield greater access, greater coordination of effort, and greater outcomes, creating more economic opportunity for Rochester residents and advancing our efforts to meet the demands of growing employers regionwide. RRP’s co-investment model is once again catalyzing transformational change, and I’m grateful to Governor Hochul, the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, and all RRP funding partners for making it possible.”

For additional information about RochesterWorks, visit: https://rochesterworks.org/.

For additional information about the Finger Lakes Workforce Development Center, visit: https://fwd-center.com/.

Regional Revitalization Partnership
The Regional Revitalization Partnership (RRP) is a $300M comprehensive economic development strategy and public-private partnership that maximizes impact and leverages additional investment for Buffalo’s East Side, Niagara Falls and Rochester. This community-driven, collaborative strategy takes a holistic approach to economic development and is designed to build community wealth through multiple paths. The RRP was developed in collaboration with New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and Empire State Development (ESD) and is supported by ESL, Evans Bank, Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation, Five Star Bank, KeyBank/First Niagara Foundation, William & Sheila Konar Foundation, M&T Bank, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, and partners in the cities of Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Rochester. RRP program implementation is led by the Center for Regional Strategies.

Accelerating Finger Lakes Forward

Today’s announcement complements “Finger Lakes Forward,” the region’s comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture‎ and food production, and advanced manufacturing. More information is available here.

About Empire State Development

Empire State Development is New York's chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state's 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state's world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.

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