The Institute for Rural Vitality at SUNY Cobleskill has a clear mission to engage the substantial resources of SUNY Cobleskill in collaboration with regional partners to enhance community and economic vitality in rural New York.
Through its three distinct centers and shared use spaces, the Institute addresses the region’s most pressing issues to develop and enact sustainable solutions. SUNY Cobleskill students and faculty are at the fore of community partnerships and coalitions, adding their expertise to that of their partners to support economic development initiatives.
With robust student involvement, the Institute creates boundless new immersive learning opportunities both on and off campus. Each of the three centers complements SUNY Cobleskill’s academic programs to support research opportunities for faculty and students as well as internships and applied learning opportunities.
The IRV is committed to empowering rural communities and fostering economic growth to create a vibrant and sustainable economy in rural New York.
Contact the Institute to inquire about collaboration, propose a project or request more information.
Contact the IRV
IRV named Mohawk Valley Entrepreneurship Assistance Center
The Institute for Rural Vitality at SUNY Cobleskill is now designated as the Mohawk Valley Entrepreneurship Assistance Center under a grant from Empire State Development (ESD) to support area entrepreneurs with business creation and growth, sales, access to financing, and job creation.
Mohawk Valley Empowers
Thank you to Empire State Development (ESD) for funding these agri-business microcredentials programs. Tuition is subsidized between 25% and 100%, depending on the microcredential. Don't miss these savings!
The Empire State Entrepreneur Center
The Empire State Entrepreneurship Center encourages new business development, job creation, and an enlivened local economy through collaborations between SUNY Cobleskill students, faculty, and staff and the surrounding non-profit and business communities.
The Institute for Rural Vitality (IRV) has been awarded funds to serve as one of New York State’s Hot Spots, to create an Agriculture Innovation Center (AIC), serve as the Entrepreneurship Assistance Center for the Mohawk Valley, and deliver the Value-added Product Development Program across the Mohawk Valley region and beyond. The IRV offers business development assistance to entrepreneurs, small businesses, and farmers. These services include: value-added product and process development; market and value chain development; facilitation of public and private investment; and access to legal advice.
This Center includes the Ag & Food Accelerator, Ag & Food Incubator, Mohawk Valley Entrepreneurship Assistance Center, Rural Business Accelerator, Rural Business Incubator, Business Development Bootcamp, Empire State Entrepreneur Expo, Small Business Workshop Series, the Steps for Success! Entrepreneurship Program, and the Value-added Product Program.
Are you an agency, business, entrepreneur, or individual interested in partnering with the Empire State Entrepreneurship Center? Contact us >>
Farm and Food Entrepreneurship cultivates farm-centric and food-centric businesses to ensure the full and profitable use of the region’s considerable natural resources.
The Center for Economic and Cultural Development
The Center for Economic and Cultural Development coordinates collaboration among SUNY Cobleskill in the pursuit of regional economic and cultural development initiatives.
Are you an agency or individual interested in partnering with the center? Contact us >>
The Center for Career and Workforce Development
The Center for Career and Workforce Development focuses on Workforce Development initiatives by developing and offering customized training, continuing education programs, workshops, and credentials for participants to gain relevant skills that are needed in today's workforce. SUNY Cobleskill actively collaborates with organizations to deliver industry demanded education to build our regional economy and match the needs of both students and industry today and in the future.
Are you an industry, company, agency or individual interested in partnering with the Center for Career and Workforce Development? Contact us >>
Shared Use Spaces
The Institute for Rural Vitality is the entry point for entrepreneur and small business use of Shared Use Spaces across the SUNY Cobleskill campus. These spaces can be used for product development and small batch production purposes. Retail pilots and market research can also be conducted through these facilities and programs. Participants will have access and support in using existing and newly available incubator facilities operated by the Institute for Rural Vitality on the SUNY Cobleskill campus, including:
- Bistro & Tasting Room
- Brewing and Distilling Lab
- Commercial kitchens
- Cheese Vat & Cheese Cave
- Coworking Space
- Food Packaging Lab
- Dairy Processing Center, for development and production of value-added dairy products
- Taste NY Store
- USDA Meat & Fish Processing Lab
Are you a company, entrepreneur, or individual interested in utilizing Shared Use Space? Contact us >>
Leadership
Dr. Marion A. Terenzio, Institute Council Chair
Dr. Scott Ferguson, Executive Director
Dr. Darcy Medica, Institute Council
Contact the institute to inquire about collaboration, propose a project or request more information.