SUFFERN, NY – Over 100 Rockland County-based business leaders, organization directors, Supervisors from all five Towns in Rockland County and Senator Bill Weber attended the Rockland County Workforce Summit on 12/14/2023, at the SUNY Rockland Technology Center. Some of the key points of the meeting:
Lynne C. Allan – Chairperson for the Workforce Development Board of Rockland County, cited the importance of the various organizations and businesses to work together during these shifting economic times.
Lucy Redzeposki – Provided update on economic development and tourism, and noted that the marketing, advertising and promotion of the county in New York City, Westchester and other areas has significantly increased the viability of the Tourism industry. She also noted that film industry activity in Rockland County has increased significantly.
Christopher D’Ambrese – Explained the purpose of Rockland BOCES and RocklandWorks.org as part of his vision to expand BOCES services, and to “think differently” about the emerging labor force, one that would increase the prioritization of skills-based learning
Dr. Lester Rapalo – Noted the importance of emerging technologies and innovations that will begin to evolve the course curriculums and services that RCC provides to its student body, including plans for new types of extension campus learning:
- Haverstraw Center –Haverstraw NY
- Herbert Kurz Automotive Technology Center, Orangeburg NY
- RCC Hospitality and Culinary Arts Center, Nyack)
Also cited as examples were courses revolving around blockchain technology, currently used to verify millions of financial transactions per day across the world.
Joe Rand (Mayor Elect for Nyack NY) – Provided stark numbers on housing prices. At one point he cited the average cost of a one-family home in Rockland County: Approximately $750. A condo costs an average of over $400k. His message: We need more affordable housing in Rockland.
Al Samuels, President of RBA – Announced that REGENERON has closed on the Avon Property in Suffern, NY. Additionally, several other Industrial-level companies are setting up their operations in Rockland County, which will lead to increased revenues in Rockland County.
Dr. Debra J. Thomas, Executive Director of WDB – closed the meeting by indicating that the future is bright for Workforce Development services in Rockland County, but it is imperative that all those in attendance continue to advocate for the mission of gainful employment in Rockland County, via the RocklandWorks.org services, as well as continued partnerships with the many providers who help to sustain the program.
Additional organizations in attendance included:
- Rockland BOCES
- Rockland Business Women’s Network
- Rockland Business Association
- Rockland County Department of Economic Development and Tourism
- Rockland Community College
- Rockland Community Foundation
- Rockland Teachers’ Center Institute
- Rockland Works
- Institute for Non-Profits
- Leadership Rockland
Additionally, a brief fire alarm interruption prevented the full demonstration of a ground-breaking device, a real-time universal translator system that allowed for smoother and more instantaneous cross-cultural communication.
The device was subsequently donated by its founder to the Center for Safety and Change.
For more information about the Workforce Development Board of Rockland, visit Rockland Work and for details about Rockland Works services, visit Rockland Works.