Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced the Salvation Army in the City of Binghamton has broken ground on its new North Side Job Training and Support Center. The new $6 million center will create up to 40 new full-time jobs and will provide additional services to residents in need. This announcement supports Southern Tier Soaring, the region’s economic blueprint designed to attract a talented workforce, grow business and drive innovation.

"For years, the Salvation Army has provided assistance for New Yorkers in need, and by expanding job training and family care services with the new Binghamton Center, more men and women will have access to the resources they need to support their loved ones," Governor Cuomo said. "This project will not only create new jobs for residents in Binghamton, it will change the lives of men and women across the region by providing hope and support for a strong, healthy future."

"The Salvation Army's expanded Job Training and Family Resource Center is a $5.6 million investment in the future of Binghamton's north side," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, who attended today’s groundbreaking. "This will mean improved daily services as well as critically important workforce development support. As chair of Governor Cuomo's regional economic development councils, I am proud the Southern Tier REDC was able to secure $1.7 million for a project that will help transform this neighborhood as part of the Southern Tier Soaring Upstate Revitalization Initiative plan."

The Salvation Army will offer a new workforce training partnership initiative by working with area education providers to offer work skills development and trainings to men and women across the region. The new center will also provide child-care and senior services.

In order to move this project forward, Empire State Development has offered up to $1.7 million in capital grant funding in return for job creation commitments. The total project cost is close to $6 million dollars. The new center is expected to be completed in the Summer of 2018.

Laura Hamilton, Binghamton Salvation Army Capital Campaign Director said, "The Salvation Army's new facility will anchor community-wide efforts to build up Binghamton’s North Side Neighborhood from an area struggling with chronic economic barriers to one of increased social mobility and personal empowerment. Working together with the community partners, we will embrace transformative economic initiatives and provide wrap around services that will sustain individuals and families as they work to overcome food insecurity, unemployment and poverty, not just in Binghamton but throughout Broome County."

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, "The Salvation Army's new North Side Job Training and Support Center will be life changing for so many in the Binghamton area and will provide opportunities that will lead to job creation throughout the Southern Tier."

Southern Tier REDC Co-Chairs Tom Tranter, President & CEO of Corning Enterprises and Harvey Stenger, President of Binghamton University said, "The STREDC is proud to support the new Binghamton Salvation Army Job Training and Support Center. Tackling poverty at its roots is one of the top priorities of the region’s Southern Tier Soaring Initiative and this innovative partnership will greatly help us with our mission."

State Senator said Fred Akshar said, "I'm thrilled to see the long-awaited Salvation Army project come to fruition. The new center will help bring much-needed services to Binghamton's North Side Neighborhood. This project, combined with the newly expanding Lee Barta Community Center nearby, will provide a wide array of services and support so many of our North Side residents desperately need and bring us another step closer to a revitalized Binghamton."

State Assembly Member Donna Lupardo said, "This project is central to the ongoing economic recovery and anti-poverty work being done in our community. The Salvation Army’s North Side Job Training Center will be located in an area that has faced numerous challenges over the years. By providing important training, education, and other wrap around services for residents in one location, this facility will become a hub of activity and a center of hope."

City of Binghamton Mayor Rich David said, "The Salvation Army has a proud history supporting our community, especially providing services to our Binghamton residents most in need. It will continue this tradition with its new North Side Job Training and Support Center. I thank Governor Cuomo and Empire State Development for providing the funds to advance this project and look forward to its opening next summer."

Nationwide, The Salvation Army operates 7,546 centers in communities across the United States. These include food distribution initiatives, disaster relief, rehabilitation centers, anti-human trafficking efforts, and a wealth of children's programs.

For more information on The Salvation Army Center in Binghamton click here.

Accelerating Southern Tier Soaring
Today's announcement complements the “Southern Tier Soaring,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. This initiative is focused on innovation, vigorous business growth and to creating an environment aimed at attracting the best and brightest talent to the region. The State has already invested more than $3.1 billion in the region since 2012 to lay the groundwork for the plan which includes investing in key industries such as advanced manufacturing, food and agriculture and in efforts that support the greater Binghamton innovation ecosystem.

Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Binghamton, Johnson City and Corning as a destination in which to grow and invest.

The $500 million “Southern Tier Soaring” Upstate Revitalization Initiative announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015 will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion – and the region’s plan, as submitted, projects up to 10,200 new jobs. More information is available here.