Our partners at CVES (Champlain Valley Educational Services), our BOCES for Clinton and most of Essex Counties and the home of CV-TEC, has developed a much needed capital project plan requiring approval in December.
On Tuesday, December 11th, residents will be asked to vote on the capital plan, allowing it to move forward in 2019. There will be one polling place in each school district that day from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. The North Country Chamber of Commerce supports the plan and is encouraging a favorable vote. The plan also has the support of all of the area’s local school districts.
Totaling $29.85 million, it is the first major capital project to go before voters in our BOCES district in anyone’s memory. In addition to funding many crucial building maintenance needs, including major roof work, approval will allow CVES to complete the long hoped for acquisition of its Plattsburgh Satellite Campus from Clinton County, facilitate future state funding assistance and include needed enhancements to support the industrial tech programs now housed at the former Commutair hangar complex at the old Clinton County Airport. There will also be investments at the Mineville Campus.
Two years ago, we secured $12.7 million from the state to build the new Institute for Advanced Manufacturing at Clinton Community College, and we are continuing to work actively with CCC on further funding support for operations and programs. CCC and its expanded capabilities are one crucial ingredient in addressing the changing training needs of regional employers and helping our young people, as well as adults, to prepare for careers.
Just as crucial are the programs of CVES, from their vital assistance to those needing to obtain high school equivalency as a major step toward becoming part of the workforce, to the industrial tech programs supporting our growing manufacturing base, to their indispensable programs in fields as diverse as health care, hospitality, construction and more. But like Clinton Community College, they require updated, safe, flexible, supportive facilities to house their array of programs and to maximize the value they are delivering to our young people, to adults seeking to improve their education and skills, to our school districts, and to our employers and the region at large.
This proposed plan could not come at a better time. It will strengthen, among other outcomes, the vital role of CVES and CV-TEC in advancing our economy and the quality of life of so many of our people.
Please mark your calendars for December 11th and plan to vote Yes that day. We will certainly remind you!