Syracuse chosen as launch site for New York State’s ON-RAMP initiative aiming to retrain workers and fuel economic growth along the I-90 manufacturing corridor

Syracuse, New York – In a significant stride toward revitalizing upstate New York, Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the selection of the 1300 South Salina Street location, a site historically occupied by Sears, for New York State’s first ON-RAMP Workforce Innovation Hub. This flagship site in Syracuse is set to play a pivotal role in a broader scheme to rejuvenate the area, an effort led by the City of Syracuse and CenterState CEO.

Governor Hochul’s announcement highlights the critical function this center will serve in the Central New York region. It aims to become a primary nexus for job seekers as well as manufacturing and construction firms, responding to the increasing demand for skilled labor fueled in part by Micron’s substantial $100 billion investment in Onondaga County.

As a cornerstone of Governor Hochul’s extensive $200 million ON-RAMP initiative, this project, along with additional hubs soon to be established in the Capital Region, the Mohawk Valley, and the Finger Lakes, will aim to empower more New Yorkers with necessary job skills.

“Too many communities in Upstate New York have been left out and left behind for generations — and I’m fighting to bring them back,” Governor Hochul said. “This new ON-RAMP center in Syracuse will be a critical part of the new I-90 advanced manufacturing corridor, giving New Yorkers the skills and training necessary for a good-paying job. New Yorkers are already seeing the benefits of our economic development strategy: good-paying jobs, revitalized communities and more money in their pockets.”

The ON-RAMP initiative, which was first introduced in Governor Hochul’s 2024 State of the State address and included in the FY25 Enacted Budget, is designed after the successful model developed by the Northland Workforce Training Center in Buffalo. This model addresses major obstacles that often deter students from pursuing post-secondary education, such as transportation, childcare, academic readiness, and affordability. The training offered will align closely with real-time market needs, connecting training with job opportunities directly.

Initially, while the South Salina Street site is under redevelopment, the Central New York ON-RAMP staff will operate out of a temporary location at CenterState CEO on West Fayette Street. The first wave of training programs will cover a range of needs from career exploration and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), to financial empowerment and trade-specific skills in construction and manufacturing. The program aims to train between 150 to 200 New Yorkers in its first year.

The Syracuse ON-RAMP location, upon completion, will offer flexible training programs tailored to meet the specific needs of employers and the community. This will include comprehensive support services to minimize employment barriers, making it easier for individuals to start and sustain their careers in high-growth industries.

In addition to these educational opportunities, CenterState CEO will collaborate with the City of Syracuse to explore potential connections between the new ON-RAMP location and the nearby city-owned lot. This strategy aims to ensure that redevelopment efforts are in harmony with community input, bolstered by monthly virtual town hall meetings intended to update and gather feedback from the community on the project’s progress.

This initiative is part of Governor Hochul’s broader vision to fortify New York’s workforce development framework and stimulate economic growth. By integrating industry-driven programs, New York aims to prepare a workforce that meets the evolving demands of employers across the state, ensuring a prosperous economic future for regions that have historically been overlooked.