The Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation will celebrate the completion of its newly renovated Ignite Industry Partner Center with a ribbon-cutting celebration on Thursday, November 5, from 4 to 6 p.m. at 179 County Route 64 in Mexico.

The event will give community members, industry partners, educators, legislators and invited guests an opportunity to tour the newly renovated space, enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and see firsthand how CiTi BOCES is connecting education, hands-on learning and the needs of the region’s workforce.

The Ignite Industry Partner Center represents a significant investment in the future of students and the local workforce. The space was designed to provide students with access to modern equipment, technology and authentic learning experiences that connect classroom learning to careers in manufacturing, automation and other high-demand industries.

The center will also create opportunities for CiTi BOCES to strengthen partnerships with local businesses and provide industry professionals with opportunities to engage with students, support learning experiences and help prepare the next generation of skilled workers. The space will be available to local businesses for staff training during evening hours, further connecting industry and education while creating a shared resource for the community.

CiTi BOCES District Superintendent/Executive Officer Jeremy Belfield said:
“This new advanced manufacturing facility represents an investment not only in cutting-edge technology, but in the future of our students and our region. By providing hands-on access to FANUC robotics training and our new CDL simulator, we are creating opportunities for students to develop the skills and experiences that today’s employers are looking for. At CiTi BOCES, we want to build strong pathways from education to meaningful, family-sustaining careers while also helping meet the workforce needs of Oswego County and Central New York. We are incredibly excited to open this space and to see where these opportunities will take our students.”

The project builds on longstanding partnerships between CiTi BOCES and regional employers. The project was made possible through significant support from public and private partners, including:

• Huhtamaki Foundation: $50,000

• Empire State Development: Grant funding

• Oswego County: $500,000

• Oswego County Industrial Development Agency (IDA): $100,000

• Novelis: $75,000

• Schneider: $5,000

• Universal: $1,000

• EJ: $1,000

Together, these investments demonstrate the community's commitment to creating meaningful educational and career opportunities for students in Oswego County.

The center will complement CiTi BOCES' existing Career and Technical Education and workforce development programs for both high school students and adult learners while creating new opportunities for students to gain practical experience with the tools, technologies and skills used in today's workplaces, including advanced manufacturing equipment, robotics and automation resources designed to mirror contemporary industry practices.

“The Ignite Industry Partner Center shows what public-private partnerships can make possible for Oswego County,” said Brian Heffron, Administrator of Workforce Development & Community Relations at CiTi BOCES. “Together, we are creating a place where students can discover their future, current workers can strengthen their skills and local businesses can access training that supports their growth. This investment connects education with industry needs and creates opportunities that benefit our residents, employers and the economic future of our communities.”

Community members and partners are invited to attend the ribbon-cutting celebration on November 5 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Ignite Industry Partner Center, 179 County Route 64, Mexico, NY.