Tech Valley Community College a Step Closer to Securing Federal ‘Green’ Funding

July 23, 2010  |  Today's Headlines

Yesterday, U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that a Senate Appropriations subcommittee has approved a $250,000 award for the Fulton-Montgomery Community College to expand its Center for Engineering and Technology.

Due to the growing green tech industry in Tech Valley, emphasis has been put on the need for green tech-oriented curricula in local centers of higher learning, FMCC being no exception. If approved in the final budget, the $250,000 grant is to be specifically geared toward cultivating a new curriculum that focuses on alternative and renewable energy.

Dustin Swanger, the president of FMCC, said that this year’s money is going to be used to purchase fuel cells, biofuels, and photovoltaic cells. While a third straight year of funding in support of green tech education at FMCC would be hugely beneficial to the institution as a learning center, it also will help students prepare for careers in the ultra-competitive high-tech industry.