Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a $32 million investment for the construction of a new Applied Technology Facility at SUNY Delhi. The facility, planned to be 15,000 square feet and located on the university’s North Hall site, is expected to open in 2030. It will support SUNY Delhi’s mechatronics program, which prepares students for careers in advanced manufacturing fields such as machining, robotics, welding instrumentation controls, and 3D printing.
“Through investments focused on workforce development in high-demand fields, we maintain New York and SUNY’s position as leaders driving economic growth and upward mobility,” Governor Hochul said. “I am proud to support crucial initiatives like SUNY Delhi’s mechatronics program to strengthen the future of advanced manufacturing in New York State. I look forward to seeing how this investment helps our students and our state flourish.”
Mechatronics combines mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, and control systems. Many industries that rely on applied technology are facing shortages of qualified workers. The new facility aims to address these gaps by training individuals who can immediately fill positions in the Southern Tier region.
The announcement was made during a campus visit by State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr., alongside SUNY Delhi President Mary Bonderoff.
“SUNY campuses throughout New York provide an affordable, world-class education that advances upward mobility and powers the state workforce. Thanks to this investment by Governor Hochul, SUNY Delhi will further cement itself as a leader in advanced manufacturing and mechatronics while also giving students the skills to launch a career in a high-demand field,” said Chancellor King.
The SUNY Board of Trustees stated: “Thanks to the steadfast support of Governor Hochul and state leaders, SUNY institutions can prepare its students for careers in high-demand industries. We are excited to see how this investment will transform SUNY Delhi’s advanced manufacturing programs and continue to align higher education with the needs of our students, state, and economy.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight commented: “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, Empire State Development is making smart, high-impact investments designed to expand the opportunity economy to all New Yorkers. The Applied Technology Facility will help to address the needs of high-tech manufacturing industries, providing students with the skills and training necessary to thrive in the jobs of tomorrow.”
SUNY Delhi President Mary Bonderoff added: “We are deeply grateful to Governor Hochul, Chancellor King, and our partners at Empire State Development for their vision and leadership in making this transformational investment possible. The new Applied Technology Facility will open doors for students across New York to pursue careers in in-demand fields such as advanced manufacturing. At SUNY Delhi, we take pride in preparing students to step directly into essential, well-paying careers that strengthen our regional economy. This project is a major step forward for our campus, our community, and workforce development in the Southern Tier.”
Funding includes $24 million from the SUNY Construction Fund and $8 million from the Regional Economic Development Council Capital Fund administered by Empire State Development. These funds will cover costs such as demolition work at North Hall along with environmental remediation and building renovations.
The project will convert North Hall into a modern facility supporting both associate- and bachelor-level degrees in mechatronics—SUNY’s first such program offering both levels—and other applied technology disciplines. Graduates from these programs have full job placement rates within industry sectors known for strong salaries.
SUNY Delhi plans additional updates to its mechatronics curriculum aimed at increasing student access to growing career opportunities within advanced manufacturing.
SUNY is recognized as one of America’s largest public higher education systems; it serves about 1.4 million students through its colleges statewide (www.suny.edu). Over three million alumni live worldwide; one out of every three college graduates from New York holds a degree from a SUNY institution.
SUNY Delhi has built a reputation for producing skilled graduates ready for immediate employment across several technical fields including HVACR, welding, electrical construction or plumbing management (www.delhi.edu).