New York State is ready to contribute millions of dollars for a proposed photonics manufacturing institute in Rochester.
That according to Congresswoman Louise Slaughter. The Fairport Democrat says that the state has committed $250 million toward the effort to secure a federal manufacturing institute.
Slaughter, along with Senators Schumer & Gillibrand, have pushed for Rochester to get the high tech operation because of the work that has already been done here in that field.
Photonics involves the use of light and optics, such as lasers, in a number of applications, including internet networks.
Last fall, President Obama announced that the U.S. Defense Department would take the lead in creating the photonics institute, which would attract $110 million in federal money.
The Rochester proposal involves a partnership between SUNY, the University of Rochester, RIT and industry and academic leaders. It is competing against proposals from The University of Central Florida and the University of Southern California.
