Amazon is investing in central New York's workforce, as it gets closer to opening up a massive distribution center in the town of Clay. The company is expected to open up a five-story, $3.8 million fulfillment center by the end of this year. It will be one of Amazon’s most automated distribution centers, relying heavily on robotics.
So it makes sense that the online retailer is investing $1.75 million in the new Syracuse STEAM school’s robotics and computer science programs, according to Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon.
“They always wanted to do something in the community,” McMahon said. “So we thought that this is, what a great opportunity."
The STEAM school is a $74 million regional high school that will move into the former Central Tech High School building in Syracuse, with a big emphasis on STEM education. It’s a joint project between the county, the city and the Syracuse City School District. Superintendent Jaime Alicea has ideas where the funds will go.
“This will help with equipment, with technology with the program, with the development of the curriculum,” said Alicea. “So this is a great, great contribution."
McMahon said the contribution will extend beyond creating a workforce Amazon can use.
“Whether it’s the unmanned air system, the defense radar space, certainly the semiconductor industry. All these industries we have great opportunities for will fit very well in what happens here at the STEAM school,” he said.
The STEAM school is scheduled to open in the fall of 2022.
