b'MAKING STRIDESEconomic DevelopmentCannabis Conference Keynote Speaker Dr. Laszlo Mechtler, MD,Medical Director of the DENT Neurologic InstituteSUNY Cannabis Workforce GrantJoint CollaborationThanks to an innovative partnership between the Colleges Horticulture program and Workforce Development Department, NCCC has paved the way for community cannabis education through a $1 million SUNY Cannabis Workforce Development grant award. Through this funding, the College is leading a consortium of SUNY Erie, Genesee Community College, and Jamestown Community College in the continued development of both credited and non-credit education within the cannabis industry over the next two years. Programming is supported by an Industry Advisory Council of businesses across the field to encompass all levels of the Seed to Sale process. NCCC hosted an annual Cannabis Conference was held in January 2023, where program impact was highlighted, representing one of the premier regional opportunities for networking within the state for businesses and individuals seeking entry. NCCC is proud to act as the project lead and sole recipient of grant funding investment for upstate New York.Future Leaders Liberty Partnership ProgramIn a first for the College, a five-year award was attained for the continuation of the Future Leaders Liberty Partnership Program, which included participation from the four largest school districts in its service region with the City of Niagara Falls, City of North Tonawanda, City of Lockport, and Niagara Wheatfield Central School districts. The award was the maximum allowable through New York State Education Department (NYSED) funding at $2,250,000 over five years. Through this investment, NCCC will continue to offer services, including dropout prevention, career development, and college readiness to 360 at-risk students annually throughout Niagara County. NCCC, along with its partner districts, administers programming including student interest assessments, tutoring, academic support, social events, mentorship, community service, family engagement, professional development opportunities, college visits, career days, financial literacy training, and summer workshops. 20 NIAGARA COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE'