New York Construction Report staff writer
Hudson Valley Community College will build a 125,000-sq. ft. Applied Technology Education Center (ATEC) to train students for careers in applied technology and skilled trades, officials announced Thursday. The $64 million building is expected to open in 2027.
ATEC will offer programs in building systems, automotive and transportation technologies, renewable energy, and semiconductor manufacturing. The project will replace the college’s aging Williams Hall and Cogan Hall and include specialized labs and classrooms with modern equipment.
“Having spent my career in the construction industry, I know firsthand that workforce demand is a critical issue facing all employers in the skilled trades, and the creation of ATEC will make a major difference for the industry’s growth in our region,” said Callanan Industries Campaign Committee Chair Don Fane. “We’ve worked hard to secure the funds to make this vision a reality and are thankful for the generosity and support of our donors, partners, and friends, as well as this milestone investment from New York State.”
State funding of $40 million will support site construction, planning, and infrastructure, supplemented by federal, county, private, and alumni contributions. The facility is expected to increase enrollment in applied technology and skilled trades programs by 200 percent and train up to 5,000 technicians over the next decade.
ATEC will also serve as a satellite location for the One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships (ON-RAMP) program, offering apprenticeships, industry-based training, and workforce development programs.
Officials highlighted the need for skilled workers in high-demand industries. Empire State Development President and CEO Hope Knight said the center will strengthen the state’s talent pipeline, while Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon noted it will support the regional workforce. SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. and Hudson Valley Community College President Michael Brophy said the center will expand opportunities for students and faculty.
ATEC will include specialized labs and classrooms with the latest tools, equipment, and technology to meet modern industry needs. The new building will replace aging structures on campus: Williams Hall, built in 1967, and Cogan Hall, built in 1984.
The college will begin construction this spring. In addition to the $40 million announced today, the campus received investment from the federal Economic Development Administration, Rensselaer County, and private sector partners and alumni donors.
Once completed, ATEC will enable Hudson Valley Community College to:
- Increase applied technology/skilled trades program enrollment by 200 percent
- Train up to 5,000 skilled technicians over the next decade
- Expand existing programs and establish new ones to support emerging industries
- Offer advanced certifications and non-credit workforce training programs to current industry professionals
- Attract technical companies seeking a highly skilled workforce and industry resources
The announcement complements the SUNY/CUNY Reconnect program, which allows eligible adult students ages 25-55 to pursue degrees in high-demand fields for free. More than 16,500 adult learners have applied statewide.
Construction is scheduled to begin this spring.
