For immediate release:
April 19, 2001 
Governor Announces major high-tech award:

Governor George E. Pataki today announced that the Rochester Center for Advanced Technology (CAT) -- a joint venture between the University of Rochester and the Rochester Institute of Technology -- has been awarded $2.6 million to expand its research and development activities and to create a new state-of-the-art "virtual" research center in Rochester. 

"Today's announcement is great news for the Rochester area and marks another tremendous step in our efforts to create a comprehensive and long term plan that will foster the growth of high-tech and biotech industries across the State," Governor Pataki said. "This new program, combined with our new $1 billion high-tech, biotech initiative and the unprecedented investments we've made during the past six years, will help create new jobs and new opportunities across Upstate New York." 

Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno said, "New York's Centers for Advanced Technology are a critical part of the State's comprehensive approach to encourage high technology research and economic development. The investment announced today by Governor Pataki will further their groundbreaking research. The CAT program, when combined with programs such as JOBS 2000, and new biotechnology initiatives, including the Senate's Gen*NY*sis proposal, enhances New York State's reputation as a national leader in the fields of high technology and biotechnology." 

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said, "It has long been the belief of the Assembly Majority that great campuses are the crossroads where the private and public sectors converge, where innovation meets commercialization, and where the workforce of this new millennium will be trained to win the competition for the high paying careers of the 21st century. The successful CAT program is a vital component of ongoing efforts to build on our resources and ensure that New York State is competitive in our ever-changing global economy." 

Senator Michael F. Nozzolio said, "Under Governor Pataki's leadership, New York has become a national leader in the high-tech industry. This major funding award for the Rochester Center for Advanced Technology is a significant investment in the future of the Rochester community and represents the Governor's continued commitment to making the Greater Rochester region a magnet for high-tech business growth and job creation." 

Senator James Alesi said, "This is great news for the Rochester region as well as great news for New York State. Governor Pataki's vision and commitment to making our area a Global Center for High Technology Economic Development will mean excellent job opportunities and a high quality of life for our people." 

Senator George D. Maziarz said, "Today's announcement is the most welcome news as it represents the Governor's strong commitment to promoting New York State and its technology research and development facilities as among the best in the country. In an age of ever-advancing technology, we must seize the opportunity to take a leadership position in this field and build upon the advances that already have been achieved through the CAT Development Program." 

Assembly member Susan John said, "Rochester's Electronic Imaging Systems CAT is a shining example of how the competitive advantage of this State's fine colleges and universities along with the talented and highly-skilled workforce can drive the economic engine for high-tech job growth for the Greater Rochester area." 

Assemblyman Joseph Morelle said, "Providing support for the Electronic Imaging Systems CAT is the kind of economic development investment that will generate major dividends throughout the coming years. The project will create jobs for the people of Rochester and the entire region and it will further advance the already outstanding reputations of our academic institutions, which will in turn help us continue to attract the best and the brightest professionals to live and work here." 

Assemblyman Joseph Robach said, "In the Rochester area, there is no question that projects such as the CAT and other initiatives linked with local universities are beneficial to the regional economy. I am glad that we are continuing to make prudent investments in these important projects." 

Assemblyman David Koon said, "Supporting the Rochester CAT is a proven strategy for job creation and for the long term economic well being of our communities. By building on our strengths and our academic infrastructure, we will continue this region's historic role as a place where technology and commerce come together." 

University of Rochester President Thomas Jackson said, "The University is pleased to be selected for this important CAT funding award. Our Director, Eby Friedman, and his co-principal investigator, Charles Zukowski, from Columbia University, are proud to lead an effort of eight universities in a chip design closely linked to industry needs to advance the competitive posture of New York State. This interaction will enhance what we've been working to build throughout the University, including not only our traditional strengths in such areas as electronic imaging (through the CAT) but also in new and exciting areas such as photonics and biomedical technologies areas emphasized by Governor Pataki's new statewide initiatives." 

RIT President Albert J. Simone said, "RIT has had a strong focus on applications of Microelectronic Technology through our Center for Microelectronic Engineering and our Center for Imaging Science. We look forward to making a strong contribution to extending the state of the art in this important area through this expansion of the mission of the CAT Center." 

"The CAT Development Program is one of many initiatives reflecting the vision and leadership of Governor Pataki and the Legislature to strengthen research and development in New York State,'' said Russell W. Bessette, M.D., Executive Director of New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research (NYSTAR). "The huge response to the program is an indication of the incredibly dynamic nature of research and development in the State. We are absolutely thrilled to fund such wonderful endeavors.'' 

The award to the Rochester CAT is being made through NYSTAR's $10 million CAT Development Program -- an initiative that will lead to the creation of nationally recognized research centers and bring high-technology innovations to the marketplace. 

The research that will be conducted as a result of the investments made through the CAT Development Program will produce significant technological improvements that will lead to substantial future economic development in New York. In addition, the research will earn substantial support from participating universities and research organizations. For example, in Rochester, the CAT will enhance and expand its technology-related research and technology transfer activities in the areas for which the Center has been designated. 

The Rochester CAT's mission is to conduct basic research in the field of electronic imaging and to leverage these results for economic advantage to New York State and the nation. The Rochester CAT will use these new funds to create a Virtual Microelectronics Design Research Center to develop new and improved integrated circuits that are key components of electronic imaging systems and many other high-tech manufactured products. The development of this technology is expected to have significant spin-off effects, including the improvement of microelectronic circuit designs. 

The Rochester team assembled to create the new Center is comprised of some of the best scientists and researchers in the world. The virtual center brings together expert researchers from renowned institutions such as University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, Columbia University, Cornell University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, SUNY Buffalo and Alfred University. Industry partners include Philips Research, IBM, CompSys Technologies Inc. and PCB Piezotronics Inc. 

NYSTAR received numerous proposals for funding under the CAT Development Program totaling nearly $40 million. Each CAT across the State was eligible to submit an application for the program. 

The existing CAT program supports university-industry collaborations in research, education and technology transfer, with a strong focus on helping New York businesses gain a technological edge on their competition. There are 14 CATs statewide, each of which receives $1 million annually in State funding. The grant announced today will supplement this annual support at selected CATs. 

Today's announcement will build on the Governor's unprecedented $1 billion high-technology and biotechnology plan for New York, which he unveiled during his State of the State address in January. His plan would allow the State to become a worldwide leader in university-based research, business creation and job development by creating several "Centers of Excellence," including a Center of Excellence in Photonics and Optoelectronics in Rochester, and other initiatives. 

The Rochester Center of Excellence would link Corning, Kodak, Xerox and other companies in collaboration with the Rochester Institute of Technology, the University of Rochester, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the University at Albany to secure New York's leading position in photonics, optics and fiber optics. 

Since 1995, New York State has fostered the growth of its high-tech and bio-tech industries by investing more than $730 million in the technology business sector and our world-class research laboratories and academic centers.