Hornell Chamber awarded grant to help continue on-the-job-training program for tri-county workers, businesses

Albany, N.Y., September 12—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R-C, Corning) joined Hornell Area Chamber of Commerce President James Griffin to announce that the chamber has received a $107,140 state grant to continue a valuable on-the-job-training and placement program aimed at assisting the economically disadvantaged, veterans, displaced workers and the unemployed and underemployed throughout Chemung, Schuyler and Steuben counties.

O’Mara and Palmesano helped secure the state funding in the 2012-2013 New York State budget.  The grant is administered through the Chemung, Schuyler and Steuben Workforce Investment Board (WIB) and the state Labor Department.

Griffin said that the Hornell Chamber of Commerce’s CSS Workforce NY program, which the grant supports, placed 125 workers with local businesses throughout the  tri-county region in 2011, including many former Alstom employees. 

The program offers local businesses and industries the chance to train new employees at reduced costs and be reimbursed up to 50% of the training wage over an approved amount of time.  

In a joint statement, O’Mara and Palmesano said: “State investments like this one in local job training, workforce development and employment placement programs represent a key step in the ongoing and overall effort to strengthen regional economies.  The Hornell Chamber of Commerce has a longstanding, proven track record of utilizing this strategy for finding jobs for local workers and developing a quality, highly skilled workforce for regional businesses and manufacturers.  It’s a winning combination and we’re grateful for the opportunity to help the Chamber’s economic development strategy grow, prosper and succeed.”

Griffin said, “The continued support of Senator O’Mara and Assemblyman Palmesano allows us to assist local businesses find new employees and encourages them to create new jobs.  The Chamber has provided on-the-job training for over thirty years and has one of the best records in transitioning trainees into full-time unsubsidized employment.  The Chamber sincerely thanks Senator O’Mara and Assemblyman Palmesano.”

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