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Workforce development director warns of looming federal funding cut; shared Cortland-Cayuga region complicates advocacy
Summary
Cayuga County workforce staff said a proposed federal funding cut of about $11 million at the state level will affect local workforce training funds; the county shares a workforce area with Cortland County and must advocate for equitable distribution.
Cayuga County workforce development staff reported a prospective cut in federal funding that filters to local workforce development, and urged local advocacy and creative revenue strategies to bridge potential gaps.
"Yesterday I learned... the state's taking over $11,000,000 cut," the workforce director said, describing a projected reduction that will affect the grant the county relies on to fund employment training programs. The director said local funding for the county's workforce programs is passed from federal to state and then to the local workforce development area (the county shares funds and administration with Cortland County), and the cut will reduce overall funds available in the region.
The director said the county's fiscal year starts July 1 and that funds for fiscal year 2025 are secured "starting in July" but warned that reauthorization and proposed legislative changes (names discussed in meeting: WIOA and a proposed ASWA legislative change) could affect longer-term funding. The director said staff will pursue additional grants and revenue sources and asked for legislative support to advocate for equitable funding within the shared workforce area.
Representation in regional governance: The director said Cayuga County has relatively low representation on the local workforce development board (several seats are filled by Cortland County representatives) and encouraged legislature members to consider appointment of additional local representatives and to attend an upcoming March 12 workforce board meeting in Auburn.
Why it matters: Workforce training funds support job development and training services for residents and employers; a large state-level reduction could require program cuts or new revenue strategies at the local level.
Ending: Staff asked for legislative engagement and pledged to pursue alternative grants and funding sources while monitoring state and federal changes that will shape the July funding and beyond.
