Fordham and partners outline Bronx Green Jobs Center plans to train workers and grow green businesses

Fordham University hosted a roundtable at BronxNet in the South Bronx to map programming for the Bronx Green Jobs Center, a community-facing hub organizers expect to open in 2026 to support green workforce development and green-focused small businesses. Travis Prew, Fordham’s vice president of external affairs, said the center will combine classroom training, year-round gardens and business services to connect residents to the clean-energy economy.

"It is going to be the most significant green workforce development and entrepreneurship hub in The Bronx once it launches in 2026," Prew said, describing plans for event space, five learning classrooms, a greenhouse and five curriculum tracks including solar, EV charger installation and urban agriculture. Fordham has engaged hundreds of partners during design, he added, and panelists said the center should complement existing neighborhood services rather than replace them.

Panelists from Santander US, the New York State Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Business Council of New York State, New York City Small Business Services (SBS), the Bronx Economic Development Corporation and local lenders described how Brooklyn- and Downstate-area organizations currently coordinate referrals,…