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RIT Gets Funding For Game Design Center

Gov. Cuomo & RIT President Bill Destler
Mike Bradley
/
rit.edu
Gov. Cuomo & RIT President Bill Destler

RIT officials say they are at the epicenter of a public-private partnership that could catapult the region as a leader in the rapidly growing digital media industry.

During the visit by Governor Cuomo on Thursday as part of the new “Capital for a Day” initiative, it was announced that RIT will receive $12 million in funding from New York state, $3 million from Dell and $12.4 million from Cisco Systems Inc

The money will be used to grow MAGIC Spell Studios, a university program that will link RIT’s academic programs with high-tech facilities needed to commercialize computer gaming, film and animation, graphic design and imaging sciences projects.

That money will be added to the $1.5 million RIT has already received through the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council, which named MAGIC Spell Studios as a priority project.

“We are thrilled that Governor Andrew Cuomo and the state leadership see the economic development value in our MAGIC Spell Studios, and we are very appreciative of this essential support,” said RIT President Bill Destler. “And we are especially pleased to have such distinguished corporate partners as Cisco and Dell. Together, we will create a center that will contribute significantly to the transformation of the Greater Rochester economy.”

“RIT is a pioneer in the digital media industry—and today, we’re setting the stage to bring that innovation to the next level,” Cuomo said. “This investment will open the door to limitless possibilities through MAGIC Spell Studios, and I am proud that our administration is helping to further RIT’s potential.”

A state-of-the art studio, which will be located in a new building on RIT’s campus, is expected to create 35 to 50 jobs in the first five years, with a goal of 100 jobs over the next 10 years. It will be also be focused on helping RIT students launch their own companies.

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.