Vice President Joe Biden and Gov. Andrew Cuomo revealed details Monday of a major economic development initiative in Rochester aimed at creating a $600 million hub for photonics in the city.

The initiative, backed by $110 million in federal Defense Department grant money along with $250 million in funding from the state, is viewed as a project that could bring thousands of new jobs to the Rochester area to support research in photonics and help businesses turn that research into new products and businesses. Private funding sources also are expected to contribute $250 million toward the initiative.

Photonics uses light to create advanced electronics products, from robotics to medical imaging and other technology. The Integrated Photonics Institute for Manufacturing Innovation is one of several advanced manufacturing hubs created by the Obama administration. Rochester beat out sites in Florida and California for the manufacturing hub.

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