Empire State Development and SMART Local 71 cut ribbon on expanded training facility in Buffalo

Former brownfield site is now state-of-the-art facility for apprenticeship in the sheet metal industry 

Empire State Development and SMART Local 71 on Monday announced the ribbon-cutting for SMART Local 71’s expanded training center in Buffalo. SMART Local 71 is the local union of International Association of Sheet Metal, Air Rail and Transportation Workers (“SMART”). The nearly $1.3 million project on Liberty Avenue cleaned up and reused a former brownfield site to merge three separate properties into one state-of-art facility that will offer apprenticeship training in construction, sheet metal production, and other fabricating industries while relying on clean energy throughout its lifetime.

“As we reimagine our economy for a postpandemic comeback, it's more important than ever to make sure that success is accessible to all,” Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “SMART Local 71’s expanded training center is training the next generation of skilled workers to help build the new Buffalo, and will further unleash the full potential of Western New York’s economy connecting people with good-paying jobs and ensuring no one falls behind during our recovery.”

SMART Local 71 Business Manager Paul Crist said, “Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 71 committed to making the City of Buffalo our home in 2000. Since then, we have worked, saved and planned for this expansion, so we can continue our mission of training the next generation of sheet metal workers. Our members strive to be the safest, best trained, and most productive workers on any jobsite and with this help we can simulate realistic jobsite conditions for hands-on training. I cannot express enough how thankful we are to Empire State Development for partnering with us to make this expansion happen.”

ESD Chief Operating Officer and Executive Deputy Commissioner Kevin Younis said, “The transformation of a previously vacant brownfield site into a modern training facility for the members of SMART Local 71 is not just a strategic investment that will strengthen Buffalo's manufacturing sector, it also advances key goals for the broader New York state economy. The state-of-the-art facility gives meaningful place-making purpose to an abandoned building and underutilized property in the city, and ensures current and future generations of SMART Local 71's talented, hard-working workforce have the critical training and necessary skills in construction, sheet metal production, and metal fabrication to meet the demands of the industry.”

SMART members include sheet metal workers, service technicians, bus operators, engineers, conductors, sign workers, welders and production employees. A press release said, “The training facility now offers working modules for hands-on experience in working with sheet metal and allows for a real construction site experience. This renovation was critical to the union’s continuing education and apprenticeship programs in teaching the newest methods and tools in their trade.

“The former manufacturing facility had become a neighborhood eyesore, stemming from years of vacancy, neglect and deterioration. SWM 71 Inc. purchased the property on behalf of the union at 20 Liberty Ave., and Local 71 renovated and reconstructed the two-story, 7,200-square-foot building and combined it with 24 Liberty to create an expanded, updated training facility. With the expected growth of training classes, a third adjacent property, at 724 Kensington Ave., was also acquired from the City of Buffalo to be used as additional parking for the renovated structure.

To assist in the funding of this significant rehabilitation and upgrade, SMART Local 71 applied for, and was awarded, $377,000 through round 7 of the consolidated funding application (CFA) process. Without this additional level of assurance offered by ESD, the project would have stalled due to a lack of guaranteed capital. This infusion of grant monies allowed the union to secure a loan with a lending institution for a significant portion of the project.”

Those interested in SMART Local 71 and apprenticeships can learn more HERE.

City of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said, “This is a great example of the opportunities we are creating in Buffalo for our residents, which include the traditional trade industries, as well as advanced manufacturing and the digital economy. Not only has SMART Local 71 created state-of-the-art training for the next generation of sheet metal workers, the union and its membership have made a meaningful investment on Buffalo’s East Side. What were once idle, brownfield sites are now a key component in attracting and training skilled workers, many who live in the surrounding neighborhoods.”

Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, “The completion of a once former brownfield site turned into a new state-of-the-art training center for construction and sheet metal production in the City of Buffalo will help produce the next generation of SMART workers. This project serves as a shining example of Empire State Development’s commitment to help revitalize our community and strengthen our workforce. I applaud SMART Local 71 and ESD’s collective leadership and investment in Western New York.”

New York State Sen. Tim Kennedy said, “This long-awaited expanded training center will fuel new opportunities for both our region's workforce and the surrounding neighborhoods in the City of Buffalo. I applaud New York for investing in these critical hands-on programs and apprenticeships, and look forward to seeing SMART Local 71 continue to build hardworking, skilled leaders for the sheet metal industry.”

Assemblywoman Monica Wallace said, “This facility transformed a blighted industrial site into a state-of-the-art and environmentally sustainable training facility, and demonstrates the importance of using public resources as seed money to create the trained, highly skilled workers needed to rebuild our economy. I thank Lt. Kathy Hochul, Empire State Development and SMART Local 71 for investing in this community and ensuring workers have access to the equipment and tools that they need to thrive.”

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said, “This expansion is being made possible thanks to collaborative efforts that will provide a state-of-the-art training facility in the City of Buffalo. Providing a venue where dedicated union members can improve and enhance their skillset and prepare to become the next generation of employees with careers that help them showcase their unique abilities is an ideal repurpose of a former brownfield site.”

Empire State Development is New York’s chief economic development agency. For more information on Regional Councils and ESD, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.