Officials laud RIT’s role in national consortium

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A. Sue Weisler

RIT’s Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies and Golisano Institute for Sustainability will be part of the nation’s first Digital Manufacturing and Design Institute.

Political and business leaders from across the state are praising the key role Rochester Institute of Technology will play in a new national consortium designed to provide a significant leap forward in digital design and manufacturing.

As a core partner in the consortium, RIT—through its Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies (CIMS) and Golisano Institute for Sustainability (GIS)—will be part of the nation’s first Digital Manufacturing and Design Institute.

U.S. Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (who sent a letter to U.S. Defense Secretary Charles “Chuck” Hagel urging support for the consortium): “I’m bullish on Rochester because we’re home to premier universities like RIT, the most talented workforce in the country, and a strong advanced manufacturing sector. This award will have a significant and transformative impact on manufacturing throughout the region and the entire country. Securing this manufacturing innovation institute has been a long-held goal of mine and I’m confident that this exciting new project will create and sustain jobs throughout the Rochester area.”

U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer: “This is exciting news for RIT and the entire Rochester region, which stands to benefit greatly with new jobs and new work flowing to Rochester thanks to this award to be a national leader in high-tech manufacturing. The potential to gain up to $20 million over five years to support RIT’s work will go a long way toward ensuring Rochester’s future in high-tech research, innovation and manufacturing is just as storied as its past. Rochester has all the key resources to be a huge asset in the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation program.”

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand: “America was built by New York’s manufacturing. Our manufacturers powered our economy through the 20th century, and will be the key to fueling our economy in the 21st century, starting with cutting-edge research at universities like RIT that spark more growth in advanced manufacturing. I’ve been a proud supporter of RIT’s CIMS and GIS, and know the university’s partnership in this manufacturing institute will allow the country to maintain its competitiveness and will reinvigorate manufacturing in the Rochester region and beyond.”

U.S. Rep. Dan Maffei: “I’m proud that RIT is being recognized for their outstanding work to drive research and innovation in the manufacturing sector in our region and across the nation. Our highly-skilled workforce in Upstate New York is leading the way in advanced manufacturing, and this new hub will help create local jobs, grow our economy, and make our region even more competitive and attractive to employers.”

New York State Assembly Majority Leader Joseph D. Morelle: “The tremendous work being done at Rochester Institute of Technology’s Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies and Golisano Institute for Sustainability has transformed how we approach and perceive manufacturing in the 21st century. Today’s announcement is a significant boost for RIT and the Rochester region and further proof that the manufacturing resurgence in our community, particularly advanced and clean manufacturing, is real. As a key partner in this new exciting initiative, RIT will continue to demonstrate and strengthen their position as a global leader in high-tech research and development.”

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams: “RIT’s selection to play a key role in the new, national consortium called The Digital Lab for Manufacturing is no surprise to me—RIT and its Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies and Golisano Institute for Sustainability have long been considered instrumental in advanced manufacturing’s growth and manufacturing has always been a cornerstone of the upstate economy. New York state is proud that today’s announcement will both create jobs and help companies to compete more effectively in this developing field.”

New York State Sen. Joe Robach: “I am very pleased to see that RIT has won this national award, which will continue to make RIT and our region a leader in manufacturing, innovation and technology. These resources will not only benefit the campus, but will be a global benefactor for job creation throughout the Rochester region. Once again, congratulations to RIT, this truly is a great win for this prestigious university as well as the entire Rochester community.”

Sen. Patrick M. Gallivan: “News that the Rochester Institute of Technology has been selected to play a founding role in the nation’s first Digital Manufacturing and Design Institute is further evidence that manufacturing is far from dead in Upstate New York, but rather poised for a new era of growth and innovation led by our world-class research institutions like RIT. The Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies and the Golisano Institute of Sustainability have positioned RIT to be on the forefront of our region’s—and our nation’s—advanced manufacturing future.”

New York State Sen. Ted O’Brien: “I congratulate RIT for its role in this bold new initiative and look forward to working together to develop relationships with local manufacturers and entrepreneurs. Through the consortium, up to $20 million will be coming to RIT. Helping ideas flow from our top-tier schools to local businesses and our highly skilled workforce will invigorate our economy and bring additional investment and job creation to the Finger Lakes region.”

New York State Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson: “I applaud President Obama as well as Rochester Institute of Technology and their Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies and Golisano Institute for Sustainability, the partnership research laboratories and the industrial partners across the county whose goal is designing and implementing cutting-edge manufacturing that is more sustainable for workers, the public, the nation and our economy. This partnership proves once again RIT’s leadership in the development of manufacturing technologies that increase economic competitiveness. RIT’s research will keep our next generation competitive in a global environment.”