Center for Economic Growth
HR&A is supporting the Center for Economic Growth in developing a strategic plan, operating model, and governance structure for an advanced manufacturing workforce development center in Albany, one of three facilities awardedunder New York State’s $200 million ON-RAMP program.
In early 2024, New York State launched the One Network of Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships (ON-RAMP), a place-based workforce development facility designed to connect residents across the region to career opportunities in advanced manufacturing and construction. These facilities will co-locate nondegree training, community college programs, wraparound support services, and close employer connections. After CEG was selected as a winner in early 2025, the organization needed comprehensive implementation plan to translate this competitive award into an operational facility. On behalf of CEG, HR&A developed an implementation plan defining the Capital Region’s ON-RAMP vision, objectives, programs, as well as a capital and five-operating budget, staffing, and governance structure; as well as collaboration with a local architecture firm to develop detailed space planning.
HR&A led a robust stakeholder engagement process—including interviews with more than a dozen employers, roundtable discussions with community-based organizations and workforce training providers, and a community meeting with residents and prospective trainees. To complement this engagement, HR&A conducted case study research on comparable workforce development facilities across the U.S. to identify best practices in governance, training models, wraparound services, and financial sustainability. The plan positions CEG to launch a facility that will provide comprehensive training, wraparound services including transportation and childcare support, and pathways to stackable credentials—ultimately expanding economic opportunity for residents across the Capital Region.
