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Photonics Board Approves $106 Million For FIrst Round Of State Funding

University of Rochester

A state photonics board has taken a step that will lead to the first major round of funding for that technology in Rochester.

The New York State Photonics Board of Officers  has unanimously approved a payment of $106 million for the AIM Photonics effort.

The money will be used to establish a testing, assembly and packaging facility.

The $106 million in funding voted on by the board during a meeting at Eastman Business Park represents  the first major portion  of the $250 million over five years that New York State has committed to the project.

The total funding is eventually expected to exceed $612 million with the federal government committing $110 million and the state and other parties, including private sector companies, providing the balance.

Photonics can be used in a wide range of applications including defense research and medical technology

Photonics can be used in a wide range of applications including defense research and medical technology.

Some local officials say it has the potential to eventually create thousands of jobs.

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter said that the funding approval is “…a key moment in our work to bring the photonics institute online,”  and Senator Charles Schumer said the new cutting-edge facility will “be the magnet that attracts world-class researchers to Rochester…”

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.