Dream It Do It WNY Director Melissa Himes looks in on welding class

The Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier has announced the hiring of Melissa Himes as the Director of the Dream It Do It Western New York program.

Himes has 16 years of experience working in manufacturing and 23 years of experience in human resources. She replaces former Director Francine Rondenell.

MAST Executive Director Todd Tranum said Francine took a position with a partner organization, where she will be providing training to help individuals who are entering or re-entering the workforce.

Tranum said in a statement that Melissa Himes had previously been involved with the Dream It Do It program during her time working in manufacturing and has been involved in several other programs including P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) in Dunkirk and the Chautauqua County Education Coalition.
Dream It Do It Western New York, an initiative of the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier, has a mission to increase the skilled workforce pipeline entering manufacturing careers.

Himes will oversee implementation of a variety of DIDI programming such as the annual STEM Wars event, technology tours that connect local students to local manufacturing, engagement with teachers and counselors to facilitate an understanding of manufacturing careers, girls in manufacturing programs introducing more young women to manufacturing career opportunities, manufacturing camps and a variety of other initiatives.

DIDI Chautauqua County is seeking volunteers from industry, schools, and the community. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Melissa Himes at mhimes@didiwny.com.

To learn more about Dream It Do It, visit www.didiwny.com.

According to a media release from the BPU,  the program is designed to facilitate innovation focusing on climate technology company formation, enhance regional workforce development, create jobs in the growing clean energy sector, and strengthen connections among manufacturers across the Western Southern Tier counties of Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany.

The funding was awarded under NYSERDA’s “Accelerate the Southern Tier” program opportunity, which seeks to boost the formation and growth of early-stage innovation in the Southern Tier to help New York State advance its climate and clean energy goals and continues development of the region to help foster growth of climate technology businesses.

“We are very pleased that New York State leadership recognizes that significant investment in climate technology manufacturing will benefit existing Jamestown-area companies as well as to help attract new companies to the region,” says BPU General Manager David Leathers. “This BPU-led program supports our western New York legacy as a manufacturing powerhouse in the State and speaks to our potential as a climate technology manufacturing resource for decades to come.”

The Manufacturing Clean Energy in the Southern Tier project will encompass four initiatives:

• Climate Technology Studies designed to evaluate the regional and individual manufacturer’s potential to enter the climate technology manufacturing market in the Western Southern Tier.
• Climate Technology Workforce Development which will augment training and educational programming at Jamestown Community College.
• Climate Technology Manufacturing Conference and Tradeshow held in Jamestown and designed to attract manufacturing interests from across the country.
• Climate Technology Marketing Campaign promoting the Western Southern Tier’s status as a climate technology manufacturing hub for the expanding domestic supply chain.

“Climate technology businesses provide a bright future for innovative manufacturers and, in the Western Southern Tier, we’re poised to capitalize on that future,” adds Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist. “The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities stands as one of the most important economic development assets in our region. With our partners, this award will help us identify our shared potential to augment climate technology manufacturing, promote the region as a climate technology ‘hub’ and contribute locally to a 21st Century workforce.”

“Jamestown and Chautauqua County businesses can only benefit from a program designed to augment our successful local companies and attract new partners, new ideas and new investment,” states Todd Tranum, Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce president and chief executive officer. “Doing so now, at a time of critical need for our region, exemplifies our relentless determination to build a better future.”

“The Gebbie Foundation looks forward to being a part of bringing a Climate Technology Conference and Tradeshow to the Jamestown area as soon as it is safe and prudent to do so,” says Greg Edwards, Chief Executive Officer at the Gebbie Foundation. “In keeping with the Foundation’s strategic focus of revitalizing downtown Jamestown, we invest in community and economic development projects such as this, that draw further investment from public and private partners. By becoming known as an ideal conference and convention location, we can attract people to our region to experience all the area has to offer.”

This effort complements New York State’s national-leading climate and clean energy goals as outlined in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act to lower greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent by 2050. The Accelerate Southern Tier Awards complements other State innovation and economic development initiatives such as the 76West Clean Energy Business Competition and Southern Tier Soaring.

76West recently awarded $2.5 million to four companies, to expand operations in the region, and previous competition finalists and semifinalists have successfully integrated themselves, raising $51 million in private capital, making multimillion-dollar investments in property and equipment in the region while spending more than $1.7 million on key suppliers.

Workforce training through Jamestown Community College (JCC) will increase the number of available skilled workers with knowledge of clean energy-specific technologies.

“Jamestown Community College is pleased to be part of the Manufacturing the Climate Technology Future in the Southern Tier consortium in partnership with the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities, which calls for a four-pronged initiative designed to facilitate climate technology company formation, growth, recruitment, and job creation across the Western Southern Tier counties,” says JCC President Daniel DeMarte.

“JCC’s specific role in this initiative,” continues DeMarte, “is to develop a Climate Technology program comprised of fundamental courses in residential and commercial electricity as well as more advanced offerings in Building Automation Systems focusing on the installation, repair, and maintenance of computer-based systems designed to control a building’s mechanical and electrical equipment including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and energy management systems. Courses will be available beginning fall 2021.”

Students in JCC’s program can also benefit from scholarship support from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation (CRCF).

“The CRCF is proud of its heritage administering over 300 scholarship funds to local students,” explains the Foundation’s Executive Director, Tory Irgang. “This partnership will offer our local students access to unique training and education for good paying jobs in this growing sector of our economy.”

The intended impact from the program will extend beyond Jamestown’s borders across Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany counties.
“With more Americans working in climate technology-related industries than ever before, job growth in this sector continues to exceed expectations,” notes Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and CEO of the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA). “The CCIDA and our counterparts in the Western Southern Tier—a region with more than 330 manufacturers responsible for more than $7.5 billion dollars of commerce—see tremendous value in making smart investments in climate technology manufacturing.”

Boosting manufacturers across the three counties is a significant goal of the program. Through individual manufacturing studies evaluating value-added investments in climate technology to a conference and tradeshow event meant to connect local firms with national investors and potential partners, new ideas and new jobs are on the agenda.

“Emerging climate technologies and the long-term trend toward sustainable climate technology solutions presents myriad opportunities for manufacturers across the Western Southern Tier,” says Tim Piazza, talent pipeline and apprenticeship coordinator at the Manufacturing Association of the Southern Tier (MAST). “From individual studies analyzing a manufacturer’s potential to efficiently enter the climate technology supply chain, to conferences and shared marketing designed to draw attention to the region, the program’s benefits are substantial.”

“I’m so proud of the JBPU and City of Jamestown team members who led the successful application process, along with a long list of local and regional community partners,” says Leathers. “This grant award outcome is recognition of a tremendous example of preparedness, teamwork and collaboration.”

Supporters of the proposal include: the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce, the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency, the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth, Chautauqua County Visitors’ Bureau, Chautauqua County Education Coalition, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, the City of Jamestown Department of Development, the Gebbie Foundation, Jamestown Community College, Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, the Manufacturer’s Association of the Southern Tier, and the Small Business Development Center.

• MOBILE APP USERS: LISTEN VIA SOUNDCLOUD

Originally airing Thursday, May 9, 2019

WRFA’s Jason Sample talks with Justin Hanft from the Chautauqua County Education Coalition to get more details about the coalition and how its working with dozens of partners across the region to improve traditional and non traditional education opportunities for area residents.

Justin Hanft, executive director of the Chautauqua County Education Coalition

Above, community members of the Chautauqua County Education Coalition gather to understand job descriptions and the workforce development needs of Athenex.

DUNKIRK – County officials are started the effort to prepare for the arrival of a multi-million dollar economic development project in Dunkirk.

County executive Vince Horrigan and the Chautauqua County Education Coalition recently hosted a roundtable discussion with representatives from Athenex at the Fredonia Technology Incubator in Dunkirk.  The Education Coalition is hoping to help guide the process of bringing together the various stakeholder organizations to ensure the workforce development needs for the company will be met.

Earlier this year Athenex announced a partnership with SUNY Polytechnic Institute and New York State that would result in 900 new jobs coming o the Dunkirk Area.  An exact timeline for when the facility will be built and open for business has not yet been released.

Athenex is global company with multiple offices and manufacturing facilities located in both the U.S. and China. It was founded at the University of Buffalo and expanded in 2003 with a ten-year funding stream committed by more than one hundred local business and medical leaders in upstate New York.

Shown are members of the Executive Committee of the Chautauqua County Education Coalition (L-R): Mike Abbate, Cummins; Tory Irgang, United Way of Southern Chautauqua County; Todd Tranum, Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and MAST; Dr. Laura Pless, Education Coalition Coordinator; Justin Hanft, Dream It Do It Chautauqua County; and Sarah Gilbert, Chautauqua County Health Network.

DUNKIRK – The Chautauqua County Education Coalition is announcing the recent hiring of Laura Pless as its Coordinator.

Pless was most recently Superintendent of Schools at Amherst Central School District and previously served as Superintendent of Schools at Westfield Academy and Central school District.  She was also formerly a school principal at Westfield and Fredonia Central School District and held several other positions at Fredonia including Director of Student Support Services and Director of Student Activities.  She was a special education teacher at the elementary, middle, and high school levels at Fredonia Central and for the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) LoGuidice Center at Fredonia.  Dr. Pless was also an adjunct professor at the State University of New York at Fredonia.

“The process of positive change requires patience and communication,” Pless said.  “We have witnessed that within the public education system, and we are focused on collaboration with all stakeholders as we seek to develop stronger students and better outcomes for our entire community.  I place a great value on work that encompasses all segments of our population and believe in the effectiveness of aligning the work we do with the community we serve.”

The mission of the Chautauqua County Education Coalition is to align resources and build capabilities to meet the evolving workforce requirements of the community.  With more than 80 stakeholders representing over 60 organizations countywide, the Coalition seeks to develop and implement solutions to meet the evolving workforce requirements in Chautauqua County.

The Coalition is funded by a major grant from Cummins, Inc. and is housed with the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce in its Dunkirk office.

Daryl Damcott, JHS Technology teacher and Dave Currie, JPS Coordinator of Science, Technology and Information Services

JAMESTOWN – At its first meeting in the 2014-15 school year, the WNY STEM Hub recognized Jamestown Public Schools as one of 29 school systems in five counties for their commitment to enhancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and related programming. Designated as the Inaugural Class of Emerging STEM School Systems, the criterion was simple: engage students through study and programming. Descriptions of how these districts are highlighting STEM programming in their schools will be posted on the WNY STEM Hub website – www.wnystem.org later in September.

“We are proud that JPS was honored as an Emerging STEM School System,” said Dave Currie, JPS Coordinator of Science, Technology and Information Services. “Our district has always stressed a commitment to STEM education as we recognize that these academic areas: science, technology, engineering, math and the arts are important for the future of our students in college and the workforce. We will continue to emphasize STEM courses in our district to benefit our students.”

“JHS has had the fortunate pleasure of placing individuals on the Chautauqua County Education Coalition to help address the area’s emerging need for focus towards STEM education to support our local industries,” said Daryl Damcott, JHS Technology teacher and member of the Coalition. “Manufacturing has always been an intricate piece to the fabric of Jamestown and Chautauqua County as a whole. It is refreshing to be a part of a district that recognizes the need to support the community and take a proactive role in doing so in order to put our students in a position to be successful in the future while helping local businesses prosper.”

The Western New York STEM Hub is one of several hubs that comprise the Empire State STEM Learning Network, coordinated under the SUNY Vice Chancellor’s Education Pipeline initiatives.  The NYS Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences serves as the Hub’s Steward Organization providing facilities, in-kind resources and general support.

“These school systems have embraced the importance of STEM education for students of all ages and grade levels,” says Michelle Kavanaugh, Ed.D., facilitator of the WNY STEM Hub. “By creating a culture of STEM learning – in addition to arts education – these schools are establishing an education pipeline to tomorrow’s careers for today’s students. The workforce of the future requires STEM trained and innovation-talented employees with technical skills and creative problem solving acumen to tackle complex challenges.”

Western New York STEM Hub representation includes: PreK-12, higher education, business/industry, informal learning environments and professional organization representatives. The network is aligned with efforts to reduce the current STEM skills gap and the impending growth of STEM jobs in the region.  Among the resources it offers are online links to learning tools, STEM job listings, a Calendar of STEM Events, a Speakers Bureau, monthly informational and networking meetings, learning tours and more. Find information about the Hub’s resources and a list of relevant events at www.wnystem.org.

Chamber of Commerce President Todd Tranum welcomes students during the 2014 Tech Wars at JCC on May 20.

JAMESTOWN – More than 300 students from across the county were in Jamestown Tuesday to take part in the first ever Chautauqua Tech Wars and Science Olympiad.

The event took place at Jamestown Community College and was organized by Dream It Do It Western New York, the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier, the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce, the Chautauqua County Education Coalition, Jamestown Community College and local technology teachers.

During the Tech War events students participated in a variety of competitive formats with projects they built.  The Hamilton Collegiate Center housed a Science Olympiad informational sessions with a variety of local non-profits, while the nearby Carnahan Center hosted local manufacturers for a career exploration event with the support Chautauqua Leadership Network.

The purpose of the event was to help encourage students to develop their understanding and their passion for Science, Technology, English and Math Skills – also known as STEM.  Officials say the event allowed students and teachers to see many of the connections that are often not able to be shared with students in a classroom setting.