Fordham University broke ground on an approximately $16 million project on July 10. The Bronx Green Jobs Center is a new initiative aimed at connecting Bronx residents to jobs in the continuously growing green economy.
“Fordham’s first-of-its-kind hub will deliver best-in-class job training and employment services in sustainable industries, provide high-quality classrooms and convening spaces for local community organizations, and support aspiring entrepreneurs in launching new green businesses,” said Travis Proulx, Vice President of External Affairs, in an email.
The center will open in the fall of 2026 and will be housed in a vacant industrial building — a former billiard hall and, more recently, a carpet store. Located at 585 Fordham Road, the center “will feature modern lab and learning environments for hands-on training, New York’s first dedicated green economy entrepreneurship center, a welcoming event space capable of hosting up to 200 attendees, and a streetside café offering locally produced goods,” Proulx said in the email.
In a press release, the university specified that the center aims to address specific areas of green efficiency such as electronic vehicles, solar energy efficiency and urban farming and agriculture.
“The start of construction on the Bronx Green Jobs Center is an exciting first step in this initiative that will combine our deep expertise in STEM education and our ties to our Bronx community to help power the future of New York’s green economy,” said University President Tania Tetlow in the press release.
The project is being funded in part through investments by Fordham University and public and private contributors such as the New York State Dormitory Authority, New York City Economic Development Corporation, New York City Council and the One Girl Foundation.
“We are engaged in many conversations with major donors, philanthropic foundations, and others to pursue funding that supports the renovation as well as ongoing programming and student support,” Proulx said.
As another one of Fordham’s efforts to work with Bronx community members, Fordham University has coordinated community-driven processes to develop the center.
“Between now and when doors open, we will continue to engage a diverse coalition of partners, including employers, organized labor, community- and faith-based organizations, and leaders in the environmental justice field, to make sure that this hub meets the needs of the community and our climate,” Proulx said.
As always, Fordham remains committed to supporting the Bronx community through initiatives and projects like this one, according to Proulx.
“The Bronx Green Jobs Center is a part of Fordham’s commitment to supporting our Bronx community and embodies one of our main characteristics as a Catholic Jesuit institution,” Proulx said.
