NYC Tech Hub at Union Square to Create 600 Jobs [PHOTOS]

New York City is beefing up its competition with Silicon Valley to become the nation’s top location for technology careers. Mayor Bill de Blasio recently met with the team at AppNexus to roll out designs and details for a new Union Square tech hub. The City is backing the project aimed at providing space for technology job training, education and startups. As a part of the meeting, Mayor de Blasio unveiled new renderings for the future facility.

The tech hub will be the new home for NYC’s Civic Hall and is estimated to create 600 technology jobs in the city. The space includes a 36,500 square-foot technology training center will feature classrooms, facilitate formal and informal learning, networking, and collaboration.

“The launch of the new Civic Hall at Union Square is welcomed news for New York’s technology community,” Brian O’Kelley, co-founder and CEO of AppNexus said in a statement. “Investments in education and workforce development will produce more jobs and innovation, and that’s good news for everyone who shares a stake in the city’s success.”

Mayor de Blasio’s stake in the project follows his commitment to create 100,000 top paying tech jobs over the next 10 years. The Mayor’s ambition also includes adding 40,000 jobs over the next four years. He made his technology plans known during a February ‘State of the City’ speech.

“This new hub will be the front-door for tech in New York City. People searching for jobs, training or the resources to start a company will have a place to come to connect and get support. No other city in the nation has anything like it. It represents this City’s commitment to a strong and inclusive tech ecosystem,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

NYC companies received $4.6 billion in venture capital funding in 2014, up 91 percent from $2.4 billion in 2011.