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Governor George E. Pataki was joined April 23 by Dr. John E. Kelly III, Senior Vice President and Group Executive, IBM Technology Group, in announcing more than $150 million in public and private sector support for a Center of Excellence in Nanoelectronics at the University at Albany, a key component of the Governor�s $1 billion high technology, biotechnology initiative.
The announcement represents one of the largest investments of its kind in State history, with IBM pledging more than $100 million to support the Center, and the State pledging up to $50 million to match the industry effort. The announcement was made at the Center for Environmental Sciences and Technology Management (CESTM) at UAlbany.
"The fact that IBM, one of the world�s leading high technology companies, has chosen to make this major investment in Upstate New York makes clear that our Centers of Excellence initiative is going to produce tremendous benefits for the Empire State," Governor Pataki said. "The work performed at the University at Albany in partnership with IBM and other academic and industry leaders will lead to the development of cutting-edge technologies and innovative new products, while also fostering new job creation for the people of Upstate and all across New York."
Dr. Kelly said, "This investment is a strong testimony to the great value IBM places on its collaborative relationship with the State of New York and the University at Albany. The creation of the Center of Excellence in Nanoelectronics at Albany is a great example of how Governor Pataki is providing the model for government, industry, and academia to work together to enhance the business climate and bring new opportunities to the entire State. As a longstanding member of the New York business community, we believe IBM�s contribution to the University at Albany�s 300mm wafer semiconductor research facility will bring dividends to all involved for many years to come."
Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno said, "The University at Albany�s CESTM facility has been a focus for high-tech computer and electronic research and it is truly deserving of this recognition and investment. The technological revolution for the next generation is beginning right here. I applaud the Governor and IBM for their commitment and leadership, not only for supporting this project, but for supporting high technology research and development throughout New York."
photo by Mark Schmidt From left to right:
Joseph L. Bruno, Senate Majority Leader
Sheldon Silver, Assembly Speaker
George E. Pataki, Governor
Dr. John E. Kelly III, Senior Vice President and Group Executive, IBM Technology Group
Alain E. Kaloyeros, Executive Director of the UAlbany Institute for Materials
Karen R. Hitchcock, President, University at Albany
Thomas Egan, Board of Trustees, State University of New York
Charles A. Gargano, Chairman, Empire State DevelopmentAssembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said, "Stimulating economic development through university-industry partnerships has long been an Assembly priority, and these initiatives are the cornerstone of our Jobs Agenda 2001. Today�s announcement at SUNY Albany is particularly gratifying, because it was the Assembly, with the leadership of Assemblymen Ron Canestrari, Jack McEneny and Paul Tonko of our Capital Region delegation, that made the first State commitment to establish a National Focus Center in Interconnects here in the Capital Region."
The Center of Excellence in Nanoelectronics at Albany will leverage the significant industry and State support announced April 23 to draw down millions in federal and other funds, for a more than $200 million total project value over the next five years.
The Center of Excellence in Nanoelectronics at Albany will create the only university-based 300 millimeter computer wafer pilot prototyping facility in the world. It will provide critical laboratory and clean room space for research, build incubator space for high-tech company spin-offs, and create a state-of-the-art workforce development program at UAlbany and associated community colleges to provide the skilled labor critical to attracting high-tech companies to New York State.
The research, economic development and workforce training that will be undertaken at the Center of Excellence in Nanoelectronics at Albany are especially critical in light of IBM�s recent announcement of a $2.5 billion chip fabrication facility in East Fishkill, New York. This Center and its associated programs will provide the industry with the academic research infrastructure and the skilled workforce required for NYS�s high technology industry.
The Albany Center of Excellence will develop innovations such as "systems on a chip" that will replace damaged nerves for spinal cord injuries, sequence DNA, or type and analyze blood samples.
Empire State Development Chairman Charles A. Gargano said, "With the establishment of a Center of Excellence in Nanoelectronics at Albany, New York has the opportunity to become a national leader in nanoelectronics R&D and job growth. Thanks to the Governor�s vision and foresight, the Center of Excellence initiative will ensure that New York plays a leadership role in the global, high-tech economy of the 21st century."
State University of New York Chancellor Robert King said, "This substantial investment by IBM, Governor Pataki and the State of New York in one of SUNY�s leading academic research institutions is further proof of the transformation that SUNY has enjoyed under the leadership of the Governor, Chairman Egan and our Board of Trustees. We at SUNY are poised to be full and active partners with the State and private sector industry in making New York a leader in high technology academic research and economic development."
University at Albany President Karen R. Hitchcock said, "We are delighted with the Governor�s announcement of the Center of Excellence in Nanoelectronics at the University at Albany, State University of New York. The creation of the 300mm wafer research and development facility will provide our faculty, students, and university and industry partners with a unique and enabling array of educational, training, and research opportunities. We are extremely grateful to the State and IBM for their unprecedented investment in our high technology programs. Our partnership with IBM is reaping significant technical and economic benefits for the University at Albany, the region, and the State. These benefits would not have been possible without the proactive leadership and key investments that Governor Pataki, Majority Leader Bruno and Speaker Silver continue to provide in support of universities and high technology industry in New York."
"The governor's creation of the Center of Excellence will guarantee a tenfold expansion in the research, development, prototyping, and work force training programs between IBM and UAlbany," said Alain Kaloyeros, executive director of the Institute for Materials. "In addition, it's also about building the infrastructure for a good economy for the region and the State."
The announcement is a direct result of the Governor�s call in the 2001 State of the State address to establish the Center of Excellence in Nanoelectronics in Albany. This partnership will serve as a model for other State investments in emerging technology job development, including additional Centers of Excellence currently under development in Buffalo, Long Island, and New York City. In January, a Center of Excellence in Photonics and Optoelectronics was also announced in Rochester, in a collaborative partnership among the State, Kodak, Corning, Xerox, other business leaders, the University of Rochester, RIT and other academic partners. Total private sector pledges of support to the Center at Rochester will total $75 million.
The Governor�s Centers of Excellence plan anticipates leveraging $3 of industry, federal, university and other funds for every $1 of State investment. In total, the $283 million State investment in Centers of Excellence should generate at least $700 million in industry, federal, university and other support over the next five years.
The Governor�s "Centers of Excellence" plan will provide a critical job-creating bridge between the New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research�s (NYSTAR) long-term research programs, such as the Strategically Targeted Academic Research (STAR) Centers, and the business community.
The electronics industry is the largest employer in the U.S., providing more than three million jobs in 2000, a number which equals the employment of the steel, automobile, and aerospace industries combined. For the past decade, electronics has been one of the fastest growing technology industries in the United States, with revenues projected to exceed $1.3 trillion by 2004.
The electronics industry is a major employer in New York, providing almost 100,000 jobs to its residents at 1,100 establishments in 1998. Total payroll was in excess of $3 billion in the same year, providing strength to the economy and high wage jobs to New Yorkers.
The State has already committed nearly $70 million toward micro- and nanoelectronics at the University at Albany. This announcement builds upon these investments and enhances the statewide efforts New York has made throughout the spectrum of basic and applied research, technology transfer, and prototyping and commercialization of new products.
"Our new Center of Excellence in Nanoelectronics is a testament to the vital importance of the University�s corporate, governmental, and academic partnerships that are advancing cutting-edge research and driving economic growth. We are deeply grateful to IBM and to our State�s leaders for investing in our research, and to all who have demonstrated support throughout the years," President Hitchcock said after the event.
Editor�s Note: Most of the information in the above story was taken from a press release from the Governor�s press office.
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