AFRL & Griffiss to Receive Over $7 Million for High-Tech Projects

UTICA, N.Y. (WWUTR/WFXV/WPNY) – Eyewitness News told you about the $3 million dollars that U.S. Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer, helped secure for a new, state-of-the-art, advanced manufacturing training center at MVCC.

But that’s not the only funding he was able to secure for the Mohawk Valley.

Along with New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Senator Schumer also secured over $7 million dollars for high-tech projects at the Rome Lab.

“So, across all of New York State, we’re putting cutting edge industries in and we’re gonna become a national leader,” said Senator Schumer. “And the days, years ago, when new industries located here and they had great futures, it’s happening again.”

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Rome Lab will be receiving $4.2 million for the construction of high-frequency antennas for the Newport and Stockbridge test annexes.

What will these antennas do, you might ask? According to officials, they will provide the lab the capability to advance warfighting communication technologies, and ensuring they have the most up-to-date facilities is crucial to its success.

“So, what they’re doing at Rome Labs is making all of us safer, especially in this brave new world where we see certain kinds of weapons, and drones and everything else can fly from far away,” said Schumer.

Also, part of this funding is the $3 million to create a new lab at Griffiss Institute.

The “Smart-X Internet of Things Living Lab” will be a collaborative environment where developers can integrate, test, experiment, and demonstrate their smart technology capabilities.

“First of all, we’re absolutely thrilled that Senator Schumer, again, is championing the science-based causes here in the Mohawk Valley,” said Heather Hage, President & CEO of Griffiss Institute.

“And as determined as he is to invest in the tools that we need to inspire the next generation into service as scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs here in our Mohawk Valley region – it’s definitely exciting.”

This new lab will connect Griffiss Business Park with the Air City Apartments and Woodhaven Riverwalk housing development in Rome. Making this the first, smart, autonomous-friendly village in New York State.

And be sure to tune in after this year’s Superbowl for our Eyewitness News Special; I’ll be answering the question – is the Mohawk Valley the new Silicon Valley? And you won’t want to miss it.

Read More

Shelby Pay