SARANAC LAKE -- Noble Environmental Power of Connecticut will provide a $50,000 development grant to North Country Community College to design a two-year degree and training program in alternative energy.

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The main focus of the program will initially be on wind-power generation to address the growing demand in Franklin County's job market.

With an estimated 500 wind turbines to be online over the next few years, properly trained technicians in this specialized field will be needed to meet the growing demand.

Future expansion of the NCCC program is expected to have specific tracks in low-end hydropower generation and solar energy.

The Franklin County Industrial Development Agency has partnered with NCCC to position the region to be an industry leader in the area of alternative energy. To reach that goal, both have committed extensive resources that will provide both long- and short-term economic benefits to the county.

"We are excited to be working with Noble Power, a national leader in alternative energy," Gail Rogers Rice, president of North Country Community College, said in a news release.

"NCCC has an exceptional reputation in the development of degree and training programs that offer area residents professional education in fields that are appropriate to the area job market."