Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: "Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver Announces Two Companies To Make Significant Investments In Mohawk Valley Region"

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Abstract:
Valutek to Move Headquarters and Operations to SUNYIT Campus nfrastructure Announces Plans to Establish its Upstate New York Command Center At SUNYIT Campus in Early 2012.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver Announces Two Companies To Make Significant Investments In Mohawk Valley Region

Utica, NY | Posted on November 17th, 2011

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Utica Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi today announced that Phoenix, Arizona-based Valutek, an industry-leading manufacturer of cleanroom supplies, will relocate its corporate headquarters and operations to the SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica/Rome (SUNYIT) campus, creating 25 jobs as part of the growing partnership with the Albany College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE).

Additionally, nfrastructure, which currently occupies space at the campus through its Center of Competency in Information Technologies (NCCIT), will establish its Upstate New York Command Center in early 2012 at SUNYIT, with plans to quickly expand to 10 employees and ultimately create 150 full and part time jobs.

"We are working to build a thriving nanotechnology corridor anchored by the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering in Albany and by SUNYIT here in Utica," said Speaker Silver. "Today's announcements are more evidence that our hard work is paying off as we continue to bring good jobs to an area of the state that clearly needs them. Together, we are truly creating New York's 21st Century, innovation economy right here in Utica, NY."

The announcements come after the New York State Assembly previously provided $37 million in capital construction funds to establish the Center of Advanced Technology and the Computer Chip Commercialization Center (Quad-C) at the college. A total of 925 jobs will ultimately be created in the Mohawk Valley region when combined with the announcement earlier this year that New York would invest $400 million to leverage a $4 billion private investment in the nanotechnology sector to create jobs across New York.

Valutek will relocate its corporate headquarters, quality testing laboratory, and specialized manufacturing and distribution center from Phoenix to SUNYIT, creating more than 25 executive, administrative, and high tech engineering and support jobs over four years supported by educational programs in controlled environment technologies.

Valutek, CNSE, and SUNYIT will establish a new Advanced Controlled Environment Program (ACE) to support economic development and workforce training by targeting development, evaluation and manufacture of specialized cleanroom consumables in a rapidly growing field, ultimately allowing Valutek to develop better quality products faster.

The partnership will also establish at CNSE the Contamination Control Research, Development & Testing Laboratory (CCL) with six jobs to support distribution and a world class state of the art lab to conduct comprehensive research, development, and testing programs for the qualification, development, commercialization and education of specialty materials and contamination control technologies at CNSE and SUNYIT.

Projects under the CCL will also work on developing new protocols and materials for nano scale manufacturing. This will be guided by CNSE faculty and support the education of students in this emerging area.

Greg Heiland, President and CEO of Valutek, said, "Valutek is thrilled to be the newest corporate partner at the Computer Chip Commercialization Center at SUNYIT through the relocation of our corporate headquarters, quality testing laboratory, and specialized manufacturing and distribution center. With the leadership of Assembly Speaker Silver, the presence of a highly trained workforce in the Mohawk Valley, and the establishment of state-of-the-art infrastructure at SUNYIT and a world-class R&D center at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, we will have all the critical pieces in place to enable future opportunity and growth."

Additionally, nfrastructure announced that it has hired a general manager for NCCIT, bringing more than 20 years of experience with Fortune 100 companies and extensive knowledge of the state and SUNY systems.

The company has also started the migration of its technical staffing business which includes the relocation of its resource development manager, who will collaborate with Dr. Bjong Wolf Yeigh's team to further develop the IT curriculum as it pertains to integrating students into the NCCIT day-to-day operations, as well as its graduates.

Daniel T. Pickett, nfrastructure Chairman and CEO, said, "We are excited to be on the ground at SUNYIT. We are on track to realize the goal of NCCIT becoming a fully operational entity so that we can all begin to benefit from this public/private partnership. Together with the Assembly, the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, and SUNYIT, NCCIT will encourage collaboration among students, faculty and industry to spur high-tech economic opportunity in this region and drive innovation."

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer said, "The addition of Valutek and the expansion of nfrastructure to the SUNY IT campus is proof positive that we have established a vibrant, job-creating, high-tech corridor in upstate New York, centered at Albany and, now, here in Utica-Rome, too. Kudos to Speaker Silver and Assemblyman Brindisi -- and to Roann Destito -- and to Governor Cuomo for their vision and willingness to make the public investment that leveraged this exciting private sector job growth. I will work with them and all partners to grow this sector and bring even more of the jobs of tomorrow here to Utica-Rome, today."

RoAnn Destito, Commissioner New York State Office of General Services said, "Governor Cuomo is committed to growing business in New York State, and today's announcement is a prime example of how Albany College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering and SUNYIT are driving job-creation in the Mohawk Valley. This shows how government and private industry can work together to benefit communities throughout the state."

Assemblymember Anthony J. Brindisi said, "This is the first step in realizing the Marcy NanoCenter and all of the jobs and economic impact it will bring to our area. I will continue to build upon this momentum, working to bring more opportunities and good-paying jobs like this to SUNYIT, Griffis Tech Park, and the entire Mohawk Valley."

Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Senior Vice President and CEO of CNSE, said, "The exciting announcements by Valutek, a recognized global supplier for the nanoelectronics industry, and nfrastructure, one of the nation's leading information technology firms, for high tech investments and job creation provide further testimony to the rapid growth of New York's public-private nanotechnology initiative in the Utica-Rome area. Led by the strategic vision and unparalleled support of Assembly Speaker Silver, together with the pioneering leadership and steadfast guidance of Governor Cuomo, these announcements set the stage for the attraction of additional nanotechnology jobs, companies and investment to the Mohawk Valley."

SUNYIT President Bjong Wolf Yeigh said, "This is an exciting day for SUNYIT and our entire region. Thanks to the Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver's visionary leadership, and the support of our elected officials since the launch of SUNYIT's partnership with the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, we are now seeing results that point the way to a bright future for the regional economy. Private sector partners such as nfrastructure and Valutek are leading the way, and others will follow as the Computer Chip Commercialization Center takes shape on the SUNYIT campus."