Goodwill Albany location prepares to open renovated facility

ALBANY — Goodwill Southern Rivers officials recently announced that the ongoing remodeling and expansion of the Albany retail store and career center is nearly complete, and that a grand opening and ribbon cutting is planned for Sept. 15.

Officials said that construction has been under way since earlier this year at the 2015 N. Slappey Blvd. facility, which will feature an 8,445-square-foot career center with three additional classrooms including a computer lab, two interview rooms and two staff offices.

The retail side of the building has been expanded to 31,572 square feet that now includes an updated store layout with a more modernized, open floor plan. Goodwill officials said that a new donor door also offers more convenient access for individuals to drive up and drop off their donations.

The career center is currently closed for the final phase of construction and will reopen at the facility grand opening. The retail store, in the meantime, has remained open.

The ribbon-cutting is set for 10 a.m. on Sept. 15. Officials said the event will include a meet-and-greet with organizational officials, music, games and tours of the remodeled facility.

“Goodwill’s mission is to help individuals with barriers to employment here in our community secure sustainable employment through education, training, work experience and career placement services, as well as free tax services for eligible families and individuals,” officials at Goodwill said in a news release. “We are excited about the expansion of our facilities and our continued commitment to change lives in the Albany community.

“All of our programs in our career centers, including job fairs and hiring events, are made possible through donations of gently used clothing and household goods sold at Goodwill retail stores.”

For more information, visit goodwillsr.org.