Eastman Business Park Eyed as National Technology Hub
By: Amy Young
Updated: February 21, 2013
The Eastman Business Park is being eyed as one of fifteen national hubs for manufacturing technology.
It could mean hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs for the Rochester region.
Leaders say Rochester's vision for photonics and optics may be spot on.
"We've got three things here. Brain power, manpower and light," said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer.
Precisely the recipe the Eastman Business Park is banking on to attract small and medium sized companies in the photonics and optics industry.
"Rochester has all the makings of a winner. And thin film, which is one of the things that we specialize in here, that's made in this machine, that's the future," added Schumer.
The hub could create hundreds, if not thousands of jobs for the Rochester region.
An investment in the strengths this city prides itself on.
"Increasingly in manufacturing, labor costs are a smaller and smaller fraction of what it takes to manufacture a product, and compete globally. Increasingly what you need to do is operate with more sustainable manufacturing," said Bill Destler, President, Rochester Institute of Technology.
The Presidents of both the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology are working together to ensure the spotlight shines here.
"I cannot overstate how proud we are of our tradition in optics and photonics. We have been a national leader. We have literally been called the center of the world in that area," said Joel Seligman, President, University of Rochester.
An arena that could attract new companies and new products, research and development.
"The place with the number one advantage, the number one optics and photonics plant in America, is right here," added Schumer.
