The Hudson County Schools of Technology Community Resource Center that has served North Hudson residents for more than three decades is being shut down, a move that will eliminate 15 jobs and disrupt essential services, workers said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“This office has been the backbone of workforce support in North Hudson for more than 30 years,” staff members, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, told HCV.
“There is nothing else like it. Closing it will hurt the community and leave thousands without the help they depend on.”
The office provides a wide range of programs that staff say do not exist anywhere else in North Hudson, despite claims that the services are “duplicative.”
The office currently delivers Hudson County’s largest job fair, held annually in Union City, drawing 800–1,300 job seekers and 47 employers.
There is also a second daytime job fair at the Union City office serving 200 residents and 26 employers.
They also offer day and night ESL classes, enrolling 80 students every three months.
Further, the center has monthly workforce services provided to Bayonne and East Newark, as well as daily support for residents from Union City, Weehawken, West New York, Secaucus, North Bergen, and Jersey City.
Staff warn that the closure will leave a major gap in workforce development, adult education, and employment support across North Hudson — particularly for low‑income families, new immigrants, and residents who rely on in‑person assistance.
Staff members say they have reached out to local and county officials seeking help to preserve the office or relocate employees into county roles.
They point to past examples — such as the reassignment of Hudson County Youth Detention Center employees to county camera operations — as proof that job‑preservation solutions are possible.
Employees are urging leaders and the public to recognize the importance of the services provided and the consequences of losing them.
As it stands today, the closure is expected to take effect by the end of next month.
Hudson County spokesman Mark Cygan said this scenario was created by past leadership at the HCST that did not engage in honest budgeting practices.
“The HCST forensic audit made clear that the previous school administration engaged in questionable budgeting gimmicks, and that included funding for the Community Resource Center (also known as the One Stop Career Center),” he said late Saturday.
“The CRC was funded by an outside grant, and when that grant was not renewed in 2022, administrators continued to pay staff despite a complete lack of funding for these positions. County Executive Guy is committed to fiscal responsibility, and that means making tough decisions that will keep the county on stable financial footing.”
He added that the current proposed budget for Hudson County prioritizes social services, with the Workforce Development Board providing assistance to residence seeking jobs, while the Department of Family Services and Reintegration will provide welfare assistance.
The Hudson County Board of Commissioners addressed the issue at Thursday’s meeting, with Commissioners Kenny Kopacz (D-1) and Bill O’Dea (D-2) in particular seeking answers, as HCV first reported.
Editor’s note: This story was updated with a comment from Hudson County spokesman Mark Cygan.
