|
Noble
provides $50,000 for NCCC program
Noble
Environmental Power will provide $50,000 to North Country
Community College (NCCC) to design a two-year degree and
training program in Alternative Energy, the college announced
Wednesday.
Franklin
County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) Executive Director
Brad Jackson said the $50,000 allocation resulted from Payment
In Lieu Taxes (PILOT) negotiations between Noble and Franklin
County legislators last year.
When the
agreement was made, it was suggested that a portion of the funds
be devoted to supporting a degree program in renewable energy
and a training program devoted to wind power technology at NCCC.
 According to a news release issued by the college Wednesday, the
main focus of the degree and training program will at first be
wind power, addressing the growing demand in Franklin County’s
job market.
“With an
estimated 500 wind turbines to be on line over the next few
years, properly trained technicians in this highly specialized
field will be needed to meet the growing demand and to ensure
continued economic development of this fast-growing regional
industry,” according to the release.
Low-end
hydro power and solar energy will be the focus of a future
expansion in the program.
“Public-private and industry-academic partnerships such as this
are essential to position any region into the innovation
economy,” said Jackson in a prepared statement. “The agency’s
comprehensive strategy speaks to several industry opportunities
throughout the county in alternative energy, wood products, and
bio-technology.”
Through
this new program, the IDA and NCCC have partnered to position
the region as an industry leader in the area of alternative
energy; in reaching that goal, both have committed extensive
resources to provide long and short term economic benefits to
the county.
“We are
excited to be working with Noble Power, a national leader in
alternative energy,” said NCCC President Dr. Gail Rogers Rice.
“NCCC has an exceptional reputation in the development of degree
and training programs that offer area residents professional
education in the fields that are appropriate to the area job
market.”
“I hope
the county leadership will join us in financing these essential
economic development initiatives. The lesson learned from the
St. Lawrence Natural Gas line project is that a relatively
little amount of local capital can leverage a substantial amount
of private and (state and federal) public funding. It is these
types of investments that will position Franklin County in the
long run for sustained job creation,” Jackson said.
Back to Media Page |
