Brentwood, NY– On Monday, Rep. Steve Israel (NY-02)  joined Suffolk County Community College (SCCC) Acting President George Gatta Jr. to announce $200,000 in new federal funding to institute SCCC’s Green Technology Workforce Initiative. Suffolk County Community College will use the funding to build on its existing partnerships with the Small Business Administration and Empire State Development Corporation as well as business and community organizations PRONTO, Adelante and the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to offer green technology workforce training targeted to the Brentwood community.

“Turning our economy around depends on our ability to create new careers in growing industries. Suffolk County Community College’s Green Technology Workforce Initiative will help expand green businesses, train a green workforce and ensure that we excel in the energy sector right here on Long Island,” said Rep. Israel.

The Green Technology Workforce Initiative will consist of three components targeting new entrepreneurs, existing entrepreneurs interested in opportunities within emerging green technology fields, and area high school students interested in developing a small business focused on green technologies. The three components are a Spanish Entrepreneurial Assistance Program, a Conference on Green Business Opportunities, and a Youth Entrepreneurial Summer Camp for Green Technologies.   

The $200,000 in new federal funding was requested by Rep. Israel as part of the fiscal year 2010 Financial Services Appropriations Act, which passed as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act. President Obama signed the legislation into law on December 16, 2009.

Rep. Israel serves on the House Appropriations Committee. He previously served on the House Financial Services Committee.