"We had a good crowd and a lively discussion at our first forum, and I'm hoping for a similar event Friday night. I also plan to unveil a plan to address one of the concerns raised at our first forum. I especially encourage high school students interested in maritime career opportunities to attend,” she said.
The public forum will follow a two-day tour of sites on the river in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties. She will be joined by Dr. Joseph Hoffman, provost of SUNY Maritime College, on the tour.
Assemblywoman Jenne led a delegation of educational leaders from SUNY Canton, Jefferson Community College and Jefferson-Lewis BOCES on a visit to SUNY Maritime College in the Bronx late last year.
She noted Dr. Hoffman has been a great resource during discussions about increasing interest in training for jobs in the maritime industry.
She said the goal of the tour and forum is to gain additional insights on steps that can be taken to grow this sector of the economy in the North Country.
"One of the leading issues raised by local businesses is the need for a stronger workforce. I am particularly interested in exploring partnerships with our education community to help create workforce development and training programs that fit with our region’s existing businesses and those that we could attract by improving workforce capacity," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
She has spent the past several months exploring steps that can be taken to rebuild the maritime economy, including infrastructure funding and adding additional education and training programs.
That effort also has included talking to local school and college officials about steps that can be taken in the region to provide training for employment in the maritime-related sector of the economy.
"Determining the need for investments in our communities to expand existing businesses and attract new business activity is key, and this tour will help provide insight so we can make that happen," she said.
The tour will include stops at businesses and agencies already operating in the area in the maritime sector and provide an opportunity to learn more about their workforce development needs.
Stops will be made at the Port of Ogdensburg and the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation in Massena as well as at businesses ranging from LC Drives in Potsdam to MetalCraft Marine US Inc. in Cape Vincent.
Assemblywoman Jenne noted she is also planning tours on the waterfront in Clayton and Alexandria Bay. Roundtable discussions in Morristown and Cape Vincent will provide community leaders, business representatives and education officials an opportunity to network.
"As we are adapting to the new water management plan, now is a good time to rebuild in a manner that envisions growth and new opportunities," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
"I'm looking for input on how we can reinvigorate our economy through capital investment with a focus on extending economic activity throughout more of the year," she added.
The assemblywoman said the two-day event will also to boost SUNY Maritime College's exposure in the region.
SUNY Maritime College officials have also had discussions with local education leaders about the potential for collaboration.