Jefferson Community College awarded $4M toward $13M project to keep transitioning soldiers in area

Yahoo! News - Apr 30th, 2025

Empire State Development has allocated a $4 million grant to Jefferson Community College (JCC) as part of a $13 million project intended to support Fort Drum soldiers and their spouses in finding employment within the North Country region after completing military service. The grant will fund the renovation of the Dulles Building on JCC's Coffeen Street campus, transforming it into the Next Move NY Vocational Training and Job Readiness Facility. This initiative, part of the broader $10 million Next Move NY Initiative, aims to enhance workforce development and increase enrollment at JCC. The investment is expected to lead to a 13% increase in JCC enrollment, with significant growth in veteran and active-duty enrollment.

In addition to JCC's project, Advocate Drum has been awarded $600,000 to develop the Live, Love, Stay Program, aiming to encourage soldiers and their families to settle in the region post-service. This program will work alongside local organizations to promote the cultural and recreational offerings of the North Country, fostering a sense of community. These initiatives are critical, given Fort Drum's status as the largest Army installation in the Northeastern U.S. and a significant employer in New York. The projects are expected to bolster the local economy by retaining former soldiers and their families, thereby enriching the regional workforce with skilled individuals transitioning from military to civilian life.

Vocational Training Veterans North Country Workforce Development Empire State Development Jefferson Community College Fort Drum Next Move Ny

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article effectively highlights state initiatives aimed at supporting transitioning soldiers and their families, providing a timely and relevant overview of efforts to enhance local workforce development. While it includes perspectives from key stakeholders, the story would benefit from additional verification of specific claims and a more diverse range of viewpoints. The narrative is clear and accessible, though it could engage readers more deeply by incorporating personal stories or addressing potential challenges. Overall, the article serves as a solid informational piece, but greater transparency and source diversity could enhance its credibility and impact.

Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims that require verification, such as the $4 million award from Empire State Development to Jefferson Community College and the $600,000 grant to Advocate Drum. While the narrative aligns with known state initiatives for veteran retention, specific financial details and projections like the anticipated enrollment increases at JCC are not directly confirmed by available sources. The story's accuracy is moderate, as it relies on official statements but lacks independent verification of key figures and program specifics.

Balance

The article provides a balanced view of the initiatives aimed at supporting transitioning soldiers and their families. It includes perspectives from various stakeholders, such as Empire State Development, Jefferson Community College, and Advocate Drum. However, the story primarily focuses on the positive aspects of the programs without delving into potential challenges or criticisms, such as the feasibility of the projected enrollment increases or the effectiveness of the proposed programs in achieving their goals.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, presenting information in a logical sequence. It effectively communicates the main points and objectives of the initiatives. However, some technical terms related to the educational programs, like 'mechatronics' and 'advanced manufacturing,' could be better explained for readers unfamiliar with these fields.

Source quality

The story primarily relies on statements from Empire State Development and related organizations. While these are credible sources, the lack of third-party verification or independent analysis affects the overall source quality. The article would benefit from additional input from external experts or stakeholders not directly involved in the initiatives to provide a more comprehensive view of the project's implications.

Transparency

The article does not provide detailed information about the methodology used to project enrollment increases or the specific criteria for awarding the grants. While it cites official statements, it lacks transparency regarding the basis for these claims and the potential impact of the initiatives. Greater disclosure of how the figures were derived and the metrics for success would enhance the story's transparency.