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State, city and community leaders joined ������̳ President Alberto Cardelle on Monday, April 29, to officially open a new downtown Oneonta location designed to strengthen the region by offering training for pressing job vacancies within Otsego County. The university was awarded over $450,000 from New York State and SUNY to support Otsego area learners and local workforce development through two initiatives:

• The building of a physical presence off campus and within the community at 2-4 Dietz Street for the ������̳ Extended and Community Learning (ExCL) Center. The new space will be a local destination for learning, including high school students looking to get a head-start on college courses, community members who want to get training for a new career, or new drivers seeking the five-hour pre-licensing course. The ������̳ ExCL Center will be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m to 6 p.m.

• The expansion of affordable, convenient trainings for career paths in key local industries with high needs to fill vacancies through strategic partnerships with Bassett Healthcare, Springbrook, Pathfinder Village, ARC Otsego and ONC BOCES (Otsego Northern Catskill Board of Cooperative Education Services.)

"������̳ is excited to open the downtown ExCL Center and position learners across Otsego County for upward mobility," said university President Alberto Cardelle. "Local business leaders tell us they have job openings and want to hire locally. As an academic institution, we can be of value and service to our regional partners by providing access to the training programs necessary to align with local needs."

"Education is critical when it comes to creating opportunities for success," said Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado. "I commend the ExCL Center for not only extending access to traditional classes amongst matriculated students, but also workforce training and direct pipelines in partnership with local businesses."

“Today we are delighted that Oneonta is utilizing a part of the generous resources provided to SUNY by Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Legislature to create the Extended and Community Learning (ExCL) Center, which was specifically proposed and designed to support workforce preparation in healthcare roles where demand is highest,” said SUNY Senior Vice-Chancellor for Student Success Donna Linderman.

“������̳ is a shining example of community involvement,” said state Sen. Peter Oberacker. “The new ExCl Center, and the programs being offered, will truly meet emerging needs of both our employers and job seekers. Certainly, this is a model that other SUNY schools should look to recreate to address regional needs throughout the state.”

"As a member of the NYS Assembly Committee on Higher Education, I commend ������̳ on the launch of the downtown ExCL Center, a vital step in empowering learners across Otsego County for greater opportunities, both professional and personal. By addressing local workforce demands, ������̳ demonstrates its commitment to fostering economic growth and community development,” said Assemblyman Brian Miller.

“The success of the City of Oneonta is inextricably tied to the engagement of our colleges in the creation of a vibrant and vital Downtown,” said Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek. “On behalf of a grateful city, I applaud the vision and commitment of Dr. Cardelle, ������̳ and our strategic partners, and salute the New York State and SUNY leadership for their commitment to the education and training of our local workforce, as well as for their embrace of the potential of our high school students and community through the creation of the ExCL Center and its placement in the heart of our downtown. I am excited for our future.”