MARCY, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — Governor Kathy Hochul was at SUNY Poly on Friday, November 17 to announce a substantial investment into the college.

The $44 million in state funds — made possible by state Capital Construction Funds, the state budget and appropriations by Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon — will expand several parts of the college, including the college’s robotics and nursing departements.

“This investment is another massive step to building the best public education institution in the country and cementing New York’s leadership role in the manufacturing industry,” Governor Hochul said in a statement. “With these important investments, students can receive an affordable and quality education at SUNY, join New York’s growing manufacturing industry, and build a bright future for themselves and for New York State.” 

The investment will be used for several things within the college:

• A new Health Science wing expansion. The project will establish the Center for Healthcare Innovation, a collaborative center to address mental, physical, and environmental health needs. The Center will also facilitate entrepreneurial efforts in the health fields, as well as promote research, clinical practice and program development.
• A new semiconductor processing lab. The new 3,000-square foot lab is said to provide students with a more robust education focused on STEM and semiconductor manufacturing, research and development.
• Updates to the college’s nursing laboratories. The expansion will accommodate 12 clinical stations with manikins and up-to-date simulators.
• A new robotics and advanced manufacturing research and education lab. The state of the art facility will allow professors and students to expand curriculums as well as provide opportunities for upskilling the Mohawk Valley’s workforce.

“We have always known what an essential asset SUNY Poly is, to not just Oneida County, but to the entire region. That’s why we fought so hard it to maintain its status as the premier polytechnic institute in the Northeast and have continued to make investments in all of the areas it supports,” Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente said in a statement. “Oneida County has become a hub for semiconductor processing and advanced manufacturing and this investment by New York State will greatly assist us down that successful path and also strengthen the future of healthcare.”  

The new investment is expected to build on the $72 million in renovations already in development at SUNY Poly, which includes $45 million in investments to the college’s campus center. The college has also invested $22 million dollars to renovate two buildings to further boost STEM programs. The renovation will also create an engineering and technology wing at the college, as well as a new STEM Writing and Communications Center and updated Interactive Media and Game Design studio space.

“SUNY Poly is incredibly grateful for this investment in our institution, as well as the continued support and advocacy of Governor Kathy Hochul, SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr., and Assemblywoman Buttenschon,” SUNY Poly President Dr. Winston Soboyejo said in a statement. “At a time of tremendous growth in the Mohawk Valley, these capital infrastructure advancements, made by possible by this investment, will allow us to further serve our students, create additional pathways for collaboration with industry and community partners, in addition to continuing to meet the workforce development and upskilling needs of industry in New York State and beyond.”