| Posted: April 22, 2010 |
TEC-SMART grand opening ceremony marks milestone in Hudson Valley Community College history |
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(Nanowerk News) Hudson Valley Community College yesterday marked a milestone in the college's history with the official grand opening ceremony of its new $13.5 million facility, TEC-SMART (Training and Education Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing and Alternative and Renewable Technologies), in Malta, NY.
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TEC-SMART is a state-of-the-art education facility at which Hudson Valley Community College will train the technicians the Capital Region's growing Tech Valley is expected to need in the future. The mission of TEC-SMART is to serve the region, state and nation as the premier resource for clean energy technologies and semiconductor manufacturing training and education; establishing New York State as a national leader in meeting the 21st -century workforce demands.
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"Hudson Valley Community College is very excited to have this state-of-the-art educational facility in the heart of Tech Valley ," said President Andrew J. Matonak. "TEC-SMART is a critical component in preparing our students for a new economy that promotes job growth, environmental sustainability and technological innovation."
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The facility, which opened in January 2010, features more than a dozen classrooms and laboratories that will be used to train the workforce in semiconductor manufacturing and green technologies, including alternative fuels and the installation and maintenance of photovoltaic, geothermal and wind energy systems. Hudson Valley will produce a skilled workforce to serve major employers including GlobalFoundries, General Electric, SunPower Inc. and Alteris Renewables will employ. In addition, Business and the Liberal Arts and Sciences courses are offered at the site.
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TEC-SMART is a joint project between Hudson Valley Community College and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The facility is located in NYSERDA's Saratoga Technology + Energy Park ® (STEP ® ), which is a special destination for clean-energy and environmental technology companies in the heart of New York's Tech Valley. NYSERDA provided oversight for the construction of TEC-SMART.
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"TEC-SMART will play an important role in training the clean energy workforce for the future and strengthening the economy of our region and the state as a whole," said Francis J. Murray, president and CEO of NYSERDA. "This facility will serve as a cutting-edge laboratory for students and a model for institutions nationwide on creating buildings with advanced energy-saving features. NYSERDA is proud to partner with HVCC on this significant milestone project for the Tech Valley and New York State."
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The $13.5 million in state funding was directed to this project by former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno. In addition, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo directed $500,000 in funding for the photovoltaic laboratory. The college's Congressional delegation, led by Representative Scott Murphy in this case, secured $300,000 for the large wind program. NYSERDA has provided more than $900,000 in funding for a variety of energy efficiency measures. The college also secured $3.5 million in a competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Energy for solar energy installation training.
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The facility was designed by the New York City-based architecture firm of Perkins+Will and LeChase Construction served as the construction manager. By integrating sustainable building practices into this project, Perkins+Will and LeChase have been instrumental in creating an educational facility that is not only cleaner and healthier for occupants and the environment, but also represents significant advances to unite energy awareness and high-tech education.
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The design of the 43,000-square foot building represents Hudson Valley 's commitment to education and investment in the future of sustainable technology. TEC-SMART is expected to qualify for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification "Gold" from the U.S. Green Building Council. It has incorporated "green build" techniques, which include the use of solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, and passive solar systems.
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In addition, TEC-SMART will serve as a central location at which the community can learn about energy issues and green technologies, helping to increase awareness of the need for and availability of clean energy sources. School groups, community organizations and businesses will be invited to visit the Community Education Center , take advantage of courses offered, and utilize the facility to host meetings and seminars.
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