Workforce board votes to pursue merger with Capital Region; officials say local services will continue

Amanda Karch, director of the Workforce Development Board, told the committee the federal direction is shifting toward consolidation of local workforce areas to improve administrative efficiency. She said Columbia and Greene counties began proactive talks with the Capital Region Workforce Board and that both boards passed matching resolutions to pursue the consolidation and file an application with the state.

Amanda said the plan would retain a high‑level administrative presence in Columbia and Greene County—initially her role—and would aim to move administrative dollars away from duplicated overhead into program services. She said the consolidation could allow access to specialized staff from larger neighboring counties (marketing, operations, quality‑assurance) and could expand training and employer services without reducing frontline service access locally. "We're actually doing a lot of this work for [the state] right now," she said, describing the counties' early engagement to shape the process.

Committee members asked about staff reductions and the effect on local services; Amanda said the intention is not to cut services and that some funding efficiencies could allow program growth. She cited current program funding near $425,000 and emphasized the need to preserve supportive services (transportation, wages during training) if federal rules change to require a higher share of dollars to go to training.

The committee passed a resolution backing the consolidation conversation; Amanda said next steps include soliciting sign‑off from chief local elected officials and submitting the state application, which will include a public comment period. The board plans a public outreach effort to local businesses and stakeholders to explain changes and maintain local accountability.