Governor Cuomo announced locations for the Integrated Photonics Institute for Manufacturing Innovation, all of which will be in Rochester, New York. First  announced by Vice President Biden and Governor Cuomo in July, the Integrated Photonics Institute will help secure the nation's leadership in emerging technology research, development, and manufacturing. These new specifics are a result of close collaboration between the Governor's office, Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Morelle, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, the University of Rochester and the Rochester Institute of Technology.

The business headquarters and technology accelerator for the Institute will be located in the Legacy Tower, formerly home to Bausch and Lomb, as phase one of the project. The Sibley building will include a workforce development center, locating companies and the creation of incubator space as phase two of the project. Eastman Business Park will be the site of the project's manufacturing operations.

"New York is incredibly proud to be chosen as the home for this new, groundbreaking Photonics Institute, and we are hard at work to ensure development of this job-creating, game changing project advances as quickly as possible," Governor Cuomo said. "This state is a new hub for high-tech industries, and these new facilities will be a great example of how we are transforming the economy in Upstate. I thank all of our partners for working together to make this happen—it's another great day for Rochester."

Additionally, a seven-person governance board will be created to help oversee and implement the program, consisting of three members from state government, two from SUNY Polytechnic, and one each from the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology.

As announced in July, a $110 million federal grant will support a high-tech consortium with business operations, a company incubator and accelerator, workforce training, and board of directors. Total public and private investment in the Photonics Institute will exceed $600 million, including more than $250 million by New York State to equip, install, and make operational a state-of-the-art photonics prototyping operation. The institute's work will create and support thousands of advanced research and manufacturing jobs across Upstate and the United States and lead to major advances within a wide range of practical applications.

Assembly Majority Leader Joseph D. Morelle said, “I am incredibly grateful for the support Rochester continues to receive from Governor Cuomo and I thank all of our partners for their collaboration and commitment to ensuring a brighter future for our community. I am especially pleased that we have cemented Eastman Business Park’s role as the manufacturing center for this initiative. By taking these next critical steps we are positioning Rochester to expand its role as a national leader in hi-tech photonics research and development, cultivate new innovative partnerships with investors, and ultimately accelerate job growth across the region.”

SUNY Polytechnic Institute President and CEO Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros said, “Today, because of Governor Cuomo's leadership and vision, New York is taking a giant leap forward in establishing Rochester as the global center of photonics-driven research and development while further capitalizing on this unprecedented state and federal investment to leverage high-tech to renew downtown neighborhoods. SUNY Poly is excited to be part of the fabric and vibrancy of downtown Rochester, as we expand our presence in our Rochester home. We extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to Governor Cuomo and look forward to our continued partnership with Majority Leader Joe Morelle, the Rochester business community and all of institute members from across New York and the country."

University of Rochester President Joel Seligman said, “This is a major victory for Rochester.  Critically we will now have an effective governance system and the key manufacturing site will be in Eastman Business Park, the highest priority of the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council for the past four years. No one deserves more credit for this wise and balanced outcome than Governor Cuomo. He has been committed to our region through his regional economic development plans and to our national leadership in photonics in a way that no political leader in our lifetimes has been.  His determination to take charge of this situation deserves the greatest praise. Let me also express my deep gratitude to our region’s most effective advocate, Majority Leader Joe Morelle, who worked with me and the Regional Economic Development Council, to articulate why these outcomes were so important to the future economy of Rochester.”

Rochester Institute of Technology President Bill Destler said, “RIT is proud to be a partner in AIM Photonics, an initiative that, if pursued aggressively, can drive a second industrial revolution in Rochester. We are especially grateful for the Governor's leadership in addressing the important issues of organizational leadership and the location of the first critical elements of this important State initiative. RIT's role will include photonics chip prototyping, testing, and packaging, and we are anxious to get started.”