On Tuesday, September 16, 2014, Senator Bonacic spoke at a press conference hosted by Governor Cuomo to announce that the SUNY New Paltz had won a $10 million dollar grant to expand its mechanical engineering program through the NYSUNY 2020 Challenge Grant program.  "SUNY New Paltz has earned national recognition for its return on investment," said the Senator, "I cannot think of any other educational institution in the Hudson Valley better positioned for this high-tech initiative.  This investment is meant to increase focus on science, technology, and engineering and will create as many as 195 jobs.  I congratulate everyone at SUNY New Paltz for this wonderful achievement."