New Adult Education Center Opens in Newburgh

NEWBURGH – Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus participated in a ribbon cutting on Wednesday to celebrate the opening of the new Orange-Ulster BOCES Adult Education Learning Center in Newburgh.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to job creation and retention, the County has made a significant investment in BOCES’ Adult Education Learning Center,” Neuhaus said. “This partnership provides another example how by working together with our partners we continue to move the County forward. I am especially proud of DPW Commissioner Chris Viebrock, Deputy Commissioner of Buildings and Grounds Jim Brooks and their staff for their hard work and effort in completing this project. This is a fantastic use of a space that had not been utilized for several years.”

Neuhaus was joined at the event by Orange County Director of Operations Harry Porr, District Attorney David Hoovler, Legislators Curlie Dillard and Jim Kulisek, Department of Public Works Commissioner Chris Viebrock, Employment and Training Director Steve Knob, Orange-Ulster BOCES District Superintendent William J. Hecht, Orange-Ulster BOCES Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Terry Reynolds, Orange-Ulster BOCES Director of Adult Education Dr. James DelViscio, Orange-Ulster BOCES Director of Operations Mark Coleman, Orange County Chamber of Commerce President Lynn Cione and Orange County Partnership Director of Business Retention and Expansion Amanda Dana.

“I am excited for our Adult and Continuing Education students and the opportunities that this new location will offer them,” Hecht said. “Thanks to the collaborative efforts of County Executive Neuhaus, his staff and the BOCES staff, our Adult Programs now have a new home in Newburgh that will allow us to continue providing affordable and conveniently located career and technical education programs for adult learners for many years to come.”

The 9,000-square foot facility, known as the Maple Building, was refurbished by the County’s DPW department in three months. The prime space had been unused for approximately a decade. Located at 3 Washington Center with a view of the Hudson River, the new Adult Education Learning Center features seven classrooms, six administrative offices and a conference room.

“This was a great project for Orange County’s DPW department and it was finished in an efficient manner,” Viebrock said. “I appreciate that County Executive Neuhaus gave us the opportunity to demonstrate how well we can perform on important community projects such as this.”

The Adult Education Learning Center was previously located at 39 West Street in Newburgh. BOCES Adult Educational Services offers comprehensive technical and vocational programs with courses designed for those who seek to enter an occupation or desire to upgrade skills in their present occupation. This program accepts adults, recent high school graduates and students that have been out of school for six months or more.

Approximately 625 students attend the Adult Education Learning Center each year.

“County Executive Neuhaus and his team always get it done when it comes to projects such as this,” Cione said. “His approach has created a wonderful environment for economic development and job creation.”