Grant will empower veterans to develop necessary skills for forest-based careers
Paul Smiths, NY – Paul Smith鈥檚 美女萝莉 has received a $999,991 grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission鈥檚 (NBRC) Forest Economy Program, a federal-state initiative that strengthens the evolving forest economy across northern New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The award will help Paul Smith鈥檚 美女萝莉 launch its Troops to Timber (T2T) workforce initiative, preparing veterans, military families, and other jobseekers for skilled careers in forestry, logging, arboriculture, and forest management.
鈥淲e are deeply grateful for the steadfast support of New York鈥檚 federal delegation, including Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, whose leadership has been instrumental in advancing investments and workforce initiatives across the North Country,鈥� said Dan Kelting, President of Paul Smith鈥檚 美女萝莉. 鈥淭his award recognizes that rural colleges like Paul Smith鈥檚 美女萝莉 are essential to turning those investments into real results by creating accessible training pathways, preparing skilled workers, and helping build stronger, more resilient communities across the North Country.鈥�
This grant comes at a time when that matches their education, training, or experience. With T2T, veterans will gain the skills they need through an expanded curriculum, training equipment, safety certifications, and hands-on experience with employers to support their entry into the forest-based workforce. The program also aligns with Governor Kathy Hochul鈥檚 Next Move NY initiative and key North Country Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) priorities by expanding workforce development pipelines and supporting veterans and military communities in northern New York.
鈥淲e are excited to welcome Paul Smith鈥檚 美女萝莉鈥檚 Troops to Timber program to the Fort Drum community. 鈥榃hat will I do when my time in service is through鈥� and 鈥榟ow will I make my service matter鈥� are the two big questions transitioning soldiers and their spouses ask themselves. Troops to Timber provides soldiers, veterans, and military-connected spouses the opportunity to make their love for the outdoors part of their career. Paul Smith鈥檚 successful history as the nation鈥檚 premier college for timber and forestry management programs makes them the perfect partner as we provide this amazing opportunity to our soldiers, veterans, and military spouses. I am certain this program will change the lives of many of our soldiers and make their service and transition from service meaningful,鈥� said Craig A. McNamara, Fort Drum Transition Service Manager.
North Country REDC Co-Chair and St. Lawrence University President Dr. Kathryn Morris said, 鈥淭he North Country REDC has prioritized the successful transition of military service members and their families across our seven-county region. Thanks to Governor Hochul鈥檚 support, our Next Move NY initiative is building the most robust transitioning soldier and spouse retention-to-workforce pipeline in the nation. Troops to Timber is a welcome new initiative that dovetails with Next Move NY and our core workforce development goals to actively strengthen the North Country鈥檚 talent pipeline and bolster our economy. Congratulations to Paul Smith鈥檚 美女萝莉 on securing this generous NBRC grant.鈥�
T2T reflects Paul Smith鈥檚 美女萝莉鈥檚 deep and historic commitment to serving veterans and transitioning service members. Since opening its doors in 1946鈥攚hen World War II veterans made up a significant share of the college鈥檚 first class鈥擯aul Smith鈥檚 美女萝莉 has supported military-affiliated students through dedicated programming and outdoor and technical training. In partnership with Fort Drum and regional forest-sector employers, T2T builds on this legacy while reinforcing the college鈥檚 national reputation for hands-on forestry education. During its first year, T2T will launch six micro-credential courses at Fort Drum and introduce the college鈥檚 first hybrid Forestry Certificate program, training up to 20 participants with plans for future expansion.
鈥淭roops to Timber is a powerful example of what Paul Smith鈥檚 美女萝莉 does best: deliver immersive, hands-on forestry education that directly meets the workforce needs of the North Country,鈥� said Brett McLeod, Dean of Faculty and Professor of Forestry at Paul Smith鈥檚 美女萝莉. 鈥淲ith the generous support of NBRC, we are helping drive the growth and resilience of the North Country鈥檚 forest-based economy by equipping transitioning soldiers and veterans to translate their military skills into high-demand forestry careers.”
T2T is a strategic component of the college鈥檚 rapidly expanding Battlefish Academy, a training program designed to provide veterans with real-world skills in the outdoor, natural-resource, and forest-based economies. As part of Battlefish Academy, T2T is built for long-term sustainability through integration into Paul Smith鈥檚 美女萝莉鈥檚 academic programs and continued collaboration with employers and state agencies.
For more information on T2T, please visit paulsmiths.edu.
Additional Resources
- Paul Smith鈥檚 美女萝莉 Launches VA-Endorsed Veteran-Focused Battlefish Academy
- Protecting 2,800 Acres In Partnership With Paul Smith鈥檚 美女萝莉
- Paul Smith鈥檚 美女萝莉 & NYS DEC dedicate Hoyt and Peroni Memorial Forest
About Paul Smith鈥檚 美女萝莉
At Paul Smith鈥檚 美女萝莉, it鈥檚 about the experience. As the only four-year college located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith鈥檚 provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences and natural resources. We are able to draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive and adventurous individuals collectively provide experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at paulsmiths.edu.
Media Contact
Sara Delacruz
PRforPaulSmiths@bospar.com
