Supporting Next-Generation Workforce Development: Governor Hochul Announces Completion of the Sydor Optics Advanced Technology Center at Monroe Community College

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that work has been completed on the Sydor Optics Advanced Technology Center at Monroe Community College's (MCC) main campus in the Town of Brighton, Monroe County. The $69.6 million project moved critical technology programs from an outdated facility on West Henrietta Road to the state-of-the-art facility on the Brighton campus, connecting them with the college's science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs. The expansion will also provide a new home and accelerate the growth of the center's Optical Systems Technology program. With a 3,520 percent increase in student enrollment since 2015, this first-of-its-kind in the nation two-year training program provides a direct path to employment for hundreds of students. It will support the state's efforts to grow the semiconductor industry across Upstate New York.

"My administration, as always, remains committed to connecting New Yorkers with top-quality job opportunities," Governor Hochul said. "Monroe Community College's state-of-the-art Advanced Technology Center will deliver accelerated training programs, ensuring that students are fully equipped with the in-demand skills they need to compete in today's dynamic and ever-changing job market."

State support for the project totals $34.6 million, including $10 million for the center's STEM addition previously announced by Governor Hochul in February 2024. Monroe County funded an additional $34.8 million, including $3.5 million secured by Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and Congressman Morelle.

The center offers automotive technician, precision tooling, heating, ventilating, air conditioning service technician and mechanic training. With a new solar lab, the center will also be able to offer training in burgeoning fields - including solar photovoltaic panel installer, solar energy installation manager, and service technician.

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said, "The completion of Monroe Community College's Sydor Optics Advanced Technology Center is a significant step forward for our region's workforce, providing the hands-on training necessary to supply a steady stream of skilled talent to our growing optics and advanced manufacturing industries. By training our future skilled workforce for these high-demand careers, this state-of-the-art facility ensures Monroe County remains a national leader in high-tech innovation. I am grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul and her team for understanding the vital importance of this project and for her unwavering support of our region's economic future."

Monroe Community College President Dr. DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna said, "Monroe Community College is exceedingly grateful to Governor Hochul, County Executive Adam Bello, and Congressman Joe Morelle for their investment in the Sydor Optics Advanced Technology Center, which has inspired remarkable philanthropic commitments from Sydor Optics, the Rochester Auto Dealers Association, the Gene Haas Foundation, SPIE, and many other generous partners. This landmark facility will transform educational opportunities for students by providing cutting-edge learning environments, expanded access to hands-on training, and stronger connections to industry partners. At the same time, it will serve as a catalyst for innovation, workforce development, and economic opportunity across our region."

The project further bolsters the States' overall workforce development efforts in the advanced manufacturing and semiconductor industries. In the summer of 2024, Governor Hochul announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce had awarded a phase two Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hub) grant of $40 million to the New York Semiconductor Manufacturing and Research Technology Innovation Corridor (NY SMART-I Corridor) consortium. The consortium comprises the Finger Lakes, Western New York and Central New York regions and is convened by OneROC, the Buffalo-Niagara Partnership, and CenterState CEO respectively. It includes more than 80 members that include economic development organizations, government, workforce development, labor, industry, academia, and nonprofits. Over the next five years, Tech Hub will work to build a world-class semiconductor ecosystem across a range of focus areas including equitable workforce development and talent placement, research and commercialization pathways. Managed by a multi-sector implementation governance committee, the consortium will serve as a key coordinating body for semiconductor industry growth alongside the Governor's Office of Semiconductor Expansion, Management, and Integration housed within Empire State Development (ESD).

In February of 2025, the governor announced that the Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley and Capital Regions had been selected to advance to the planning stage of the $200 million One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships (ON-RAMP) program. The regions join Central New York, in which Syracuse was established as the program's flagship location and will create a network of high-impact workforce development centers to connect New Yorkers with careers in dynamic, high-growth advanced manufacturing industries. These workforce centers will equip New Yorkers with the skills they need and create an "on-ramp" to training, internships, apprenticeships and permanent employment and capitalize on the State's success in attracting and expanding advanced manufacturing companies such as Micron and GlobalFoundries. Monroe Community College will lead the Finger Lakes ON-RAMP center in partnership with RochesterWorks.

Additional regional workforce development efforts also include a $5.5 million investment through the transformational Regional Revitalization Partnership (RRP) to assist with establishing the RochesterWorks Downtown Career Center at the MCC downtown campus in the City of Rochester. Construction is now underway on the comprehensive one-stop career center that will improve workforce development access and supportive wrap-around services to members of the community seeking employment or training for career pathways by directly linking service providers with job seekers, enhancing the ability to navigate a career pathway more easily. The project aims to remove barriers to workforce participation.

MCC's downtown campus is also home to the New York State supported Finger Lakes Workforce Development (FWD) Center, which is focused on short-term and accelerated, technology-oriented training programs that place individuals in high-demand jobs within advanced manufacturing, information technology, skilled trades, apprenticeship-related instruction, and professional services.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York State has reimagined workforce development and continues to support projects that help New Yorkers learn the skills needed for the high-demand, high-growth jobs of today and tomorrow. The new Sydor Optics Advanced Technology Center at MCC's Brighton campus will further those efforts and create a dynamic talent pipeline that aligns with employer needs, encourages local business development and grows the innovation economy."

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, "SUNY delivers an excellent education and pathway to upward mobility thanks to our stellar faculty and access to state-of-the-art facilities to support our students' success. Monroe Community College is a leader in delivering economic opportunity and MCC's Sydor Optics Advanced Technology Center is the latest example of advanced infrastructure to prepare the next generation of industry leaders. Thank you to Governor Hochul and our State Legislature for their steadfast commitment to bolstering student success and economic development throughout New York State."

The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "With the continued support of Governor Hochul and the State Legislature, SUNY campuses like Monroe Community College are using cutting-edge technology and facilities to equip students with essential skills for promising careers. The Sydor Optics Advanced Technology Center is not only creating opportunities for hands-on learning and pathways to upward mobility but also strengthening some of New York State's most vital industries."

Sydor Optics Chairman Jim Sydor said, "We are honored to have our family name associated with the new, state-of-the-art Advanced Technology Center at Monroe Community College. Our contribution reflects our belief that no student should be denied the opportunity to pursue an education simply because they cannot afford it. We are proud to support MCC's efforts to make educational opportunities accessible to all students and to help prepare the next generation of skilled technicians. There is a tremendous and growing demand for qualified technicians in today's workforce, and we believe the new Advanced Technology Center will play an important role in helping to meet that need. By providing students with state-of-the-art facilities and hands-on training, the Center will help prepare them for rewarding careers and strengthen the local workforce. The optics industry has been very good for our family, and as a graduate of Monroe Community College, I felt a strong personal obligation to give back to the college that played an important role in my education and career. Supporting MCC and its students is our way of helping ensure that future generations have the same opportunities. Dr. Vogt has done a remarkable job building and advancing MCC's optics program, which began in 1963 and has grown into a nationally recognized program. We are proud to support the continued growth of the program and the opportunities it provides to students, our community, and the optics industry."

Senator Chuck Schumer said, "Monroe County is renowned for its strong workforce, and I was proud to deliver $3.5 million in federal funding for upgrades to Monroe Community College's workforce development programs. The new Sydor Optics Advanced Technology Center will provide the community's next generation of optics, advanced manufacturing, and skilled trade workers with the resources they need to succeed. I fought hard to land the Tech Hub designation for Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse, and now this region is on the road to becoming America's semiconductor highway. Investments in our workforce are key to creating more opportunities and building our nation's future."

Representative Joe Morelle said, "Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a successful future right here at home, and that starts with making sure students have the skills and training they need to compete for the jobs of tomorrow. I was proud to help secure $3.5 million in federal funding for this project, which will strengthen MCC's ability to prepare students for good-paying careers in optics, advanced manufacturing, and other high-tech industries. I'm grateful to Governor Hochul, Monroe County, MCC, Sydor Optics, and all our partners for their continued investment in our workforce, and I look forward to building on this progress together."

State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky said, "New York has spent years bringing advanced manufacturing to this State. It is critical that we ensure New Yorkers are the ones trained and hired for these high-skilled, technical careers. That work happens in labs and classrooms, and it starts at community colleges. Our community colleges are often the center of economic opportunity, and I was delighted to support this project. A student in central New York should not have to leave the region to find a high-technology career."

State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, "MCC's new Sydor Optics Advanced Technology Center supports students and expands economic and employment opportunities across the region. I'm proud to see these investments in our community, ensuring we are meeting the needs of the growing semiconductor industry and setting students up for success."

Assemblymember Harry Bronson said, "MCC's state-of-the-art Advanced Technology Center will deliver comprehensive, robust workforce development opportunities to complement the expansion of Sydor Optics and contribute to Monroe County's leadership as a world-renowned optics hub. This project was the result of investments from State, County, and Federal partners, which shows how transformative it is for our region. Thank you, Governor Hochul, Dr. Burt-Nana, County Executive Bello and Sydor Optics for supporting this dynamic workforce development and cutting-edge training opportunity, that will ensure our students and young people are developing the skills they need to participate in the economy and grow into careers that will last a lifetime."

Assemblymember Alicia L. Hyndman said, "As both the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Higher Education and a Member of the Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry, I want to thank Gov. Hochul for bolstering the training for in-demand, high-technology jobs that will set up New York students with future careers, which also helps the State meet its demands in manufacturing and the semiconductor industry. Providing programs like this with the space and funding they need to help scholars thrive produces future leaders with unique job skills that will be a pathway to a stable and successful career."

City of Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans said, "The Sydor Optics Advanced Technology Center stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when a community works together to bridge the gap between innovation and opportunity with education. By providing our young people with the training and skills they need to compete for high-demand jobs that are being created right here in our region, this center will blaze new pathways to prosperity for Rochester's residents and families. I want to thank Gov. Kathy Hochul, MCC President DeAnna Burt-Nanna, Jim Sydor and our many partners at the federal, state and local levels for making this tremendous investment in our students, our workforce, and our community."

Brighton Town Supervisor William W. Moehle said, "MCC is a community asset for Brighton and the Greater Rochester region. Brighton has long been proud of the educational excellence that we support at every level, including MCC. The Sydor Optics Advanced Technology Center will help continue the tradition of educational excellence in Brighton, supporting job creation and technological advances.

Explore additional information about the Sydor Optics Advanced Technology Center.

Accelerating Economic Development in the Finger Lakes

Today's announcement complements "Finger Lakes Forward," the region's comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture‎ and food production, and advanced manufacturing. View additional information.

About Empire State Development

Empire State Development is New York's chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state's 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state's world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.