Workforce Innovation Center Planned for Ulster County

As New York shifts to a greener economy, Ulster County could see tens of thousands of new jobs in construction, manufacturing, transportation, renewable energy and more, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger predicts.

The 500 jobs that Zinc8, the battery storage company coming to iPark 87, the former IBM site in the Town of Ulster, is just the beginning, county officials say, and the newly-announced Workforce Innovation Center will help ensure that the county is ready to meet the anticipated demand for employees.

“Shifting to a green economy isn’t just good for our climate and our health – it is also a massive job creator,” Metzger said in her State of the County Address. “If we build the skilled workforce to take advantage of these jobs, a Workforce Innovation Center on site at iPark 87 will be a magnet for investments by these companies, which care first and foremost about finding a location with the right workforce.”

The center will involve collaboration between county Government, SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Ulster, Ulster BOCES, community organizations, and the trades. These employers will co-create curriculum so that people who train at the facility can step into jobs immediately upon completion of training programs, she said.

“And you better believe we will be working with our partners in labor to make sure as many of those jobs as possible are union jobs,” Metzger said.

SMACNA Endorses “Apprenticeship Hubs” Bills

SMACNA is endorsing the House and Senate versions of The National Apprenticeship Hubs Across America Act of 2023, legislation designed to grow and expand Apprenticeship Hubs, which help employers develop, design, and deliver registered apprenticeship programs.

The measure enjoys bipartisan support: The House version (HR 2900) is sponsored by Rep. Don Norcross (D-NJ) and co-sponsored by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), both longtime champions of registered apprenticeships. Meanwhile, the Senate version (S. 249) is sponsored by apprenticeship advocate Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) and co-sponsored by Senators Todd Young (R-IN), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH).

Said Norcross, “It is critical that we continue to invest in workforce development programs like apprenticeships, strengthen protections for the workplace, and improve the standard of living and accessibility of benefits for all working families.”

In SMACNA’s letter to the House of Representatives and the Senate, Stan Kolbe, SMACNA’s Executive Director for Government and Political Affairs, outlined SMACNA’s robust endorsement of the legislation, stating the actions were necessary for the industry to build the highly skilled workforce required to meet ever-growing demand and list of projects, including those in the federal, energy, and manufacturing sectors.

Painters and Allied Trades March in National Puerto Rican Day Parade

For the first time ever, members of District Council 9 marched the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, held Sunday, June 4 in New York City.

The parade marched up Fifth Avenue from 43rd to 79th Street under near perfect skies. A New York tradition for 66 years, it has grown to become one of the nation’s largest cultural celebrations. It’s estimated that more than one million people attended this year’s march.

Members of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council No 9 work in the Finishing Trades as industrial and commercial painters, drywall finishers, wall coverings, glaziers, glass workers, floor covering installers, sign makers, display workers and convention and show decorators.

The Painters and Allied Trades union also welcomes the newly chartered Local Union 1895 representing members in Puerto Rico.

Orange County IDA Monitor to be Appointed by Mid-Summer

New York State lawmakers have approved the placement of a state-appointed monitor at the Orange County Industrial Development Agency.

The monitor, approved by the State Legislature in May, will oversee IDA’s approvals for development projects and tax incentives. At the time of this writing, the monitor was expected to be in place by mid-summer. The monitor’s salary, which is to be paid by the IDA, schedule and other details had not yet been determined. The monitor is expected to be appointed to a three-year term and fall under the state Offices of the Inspector General .

The installation of an IDA monitor is thought to be unique to Orange County, and detractors fear it puts the county at a disadvantage and make it more difficult to attract developers who may be lured away by other communities.

The monitor, negotiated by Senator James Skoufis as part of this year’s state budget, will have the authority to veto tax break packages that fail to sufficiently consider the taxpayers, the environment, or return on investment as required by the IDA’s Uniform Tax Exemption Policy. Assembly Members Jonathan Jacobson, Aileen Gunther and Chris Eachus supported the measure.

There’s Work in the Wind

Want to know about future contracting opportunities building New York’s energy infrastructure projects?

We Source NYC - a partnership of major manufacturing contractors, local business service providers, and the NYC Economic Development Corporation - is calling on manufacturers, suppliers, and construction service providers to plug into a new $4 billion supply chain.

We Source NYC is building a directory of business, and those listed will get noticed by multinational offshore wind companies who are required to source local products and services, and be notified about future scopes of work and have access to networking opportunities.

Offshore wind turbines—composed of blades, nacelles, towers, transition pieces, foundations, and more—reach heights comparable to skyscrapers, but within them are as many as 8,000 smaller elements. The industry’s immense port facilities and transmission lines will likewise need expansive construction services and supplies. Many of these elements are already made— and if not, can be made—in New York City and nearby.

High local demand has been identified for the following:

• Steel products: Cradles, racking, brackets, handrails, ladders, cable trays, stairs, platforms, and more

• Chemical products: Epoxy resins, bonding paste, polyurethane paints

• Other metals: Cooling systems, safety equipment, fiberglass

• Electrical components: Electrical cabinets, transformers, switchgears, converters, lighting fixtures, cables, and more

• Aggregates: Cement, concrete

• Extensive equipment supply and maintenance: Winches, dead-man anchors, cable rollers, nuts and bolts, yaw drives, pitch drives, hydraulic power packs

• Construction supply & services: Cranes, cable rollers, trailers, HSE equipment & services, electrical supplies, tool calibration, fencing, trucking, load distribution plates

To be considered for the directory, complete the We Source NYC Business Survey at www.wesource.nyc.

Holt Execs Named “Women to Watch”

Holt’s Operational Controller, Lauren Brody, and Senior Project Manager, Meghan McDevitt were honored by the New York Real Estate Journal as Women in Construction to Watch for 2023.

Brody joined Holt’s finance team almost two years ago and holds a degree from Hofstra University. She has worked on a number of finance teams at New York’s leading construction companies.

McDevitt is an operational leader at Holt’s New Jersey business unit. She holds a degree in civil engineering from Manhattan College and a master of science degree in construction management from Stevens Institute of Technology. She is currently leading the efforts for a high-end lounge at Newark Airport.