In 2001, Gov. George Pataki pledged with his State of the State address, a $1 billion high-tech and biotechnology initiative to foster advanced high-tech research and industry within New York. The plan calls for the state to match every $3 of private and federal investment with $1 of state funds. In January of 2001 the Center of Excellence in Photonics and Optoelectronics was announced in Rochester. The project is a partnership between the state, Corning, Xerox and other business leaders. Academic partners include the University of Rochester, RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) and others. Public-private pledges for the project total $75 million.
      In a joint statement issued at the opening of the center by Kodak Chairman, President and CEO Daniel A. Carp, Corning Chairman and CEO Roger G. Ackerman and Xerox Chairman and CEO Paul Allaire said, "Upstate New York is a technology and manufacturing hub. These technologies will produce the next generation of products coming from many of our New York State companies."
      The advances in the emerging field of photonics are expected to include medical devices enabling patients to swallow capsules permitting physicians to view damaged organs. Other advancements could include new environmental monitors.
      New York is a growing hub for the optoelectronics industry, employing nearly 13 percent of the national total. "With the establishment of a Center of Excellence in Photonics and Optoelectronics at Rochester, New York has the opportunity to become a national leader in optoelectonics-related R&D and job growth the same way that Silicon Valley became a hub for the semiconductor industry," says Empire State Development Chairman Charles A. Gargano.
      Corning is capitalizing on the research and development. In August of 2001, Corning officials announced an $80 million new passive photonics plant at the University Industrial Park in Henrietta. Corning is expected to employ 440 workers at the new facility and state officials will provide $4.3 million towards its investment. Corning will also receive $1.73 million for its commitment to create 700 new jobs in Erwin, for a combined 1,140 new jobs in New York for Corning's Photonics Division. Corning officials cite "a progressive business environment fostered by the governor has made it possible for us to be here today."
      Rochester government leaders also participated in the landing of the project. "When it became apparent that Corning needed a new production location quickly and that an appropriate location within the city could not be identified," says Rochester Mayor William A. Johnson, "our concern was to ensure that these new jobs could be secured for the greater Rochester community. We are pleased to participate in the innovative economic development initiative."
      IBM will invest $100 million in a state Center of Excellence in Nanoelectronics at the State University of New York's Albany campus. The center will create the only university-based 300-millimeter computer wafer prototyping facility in the world. The center will also develop systems on chip technology, such as those used to replace damaged nerves for spinal cord injuries. Plans also include space for high-tech company spin offs, clean room space for research and a work-force development program.
      The announcement of the contribution by IBM at SUNY Albany, one of the largest donations in Empire State history, comes in the wake of IBM's decision to build a $2.5 billion computer chip fabrication facility in East Fishkill, south of Albany. "We view this as less a donation and more as an investment," says John Kelly III, vice president and group executive for the IBM Technology Group, at the investment announcement at SUNY's Albany campus.
      The University of Buffalo is the site for the Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics, part of Gov. Pataki's Centers of Excellence proposal. The center provides academic and industrial partnerships between the University of Buffalo, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, the Haumptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, and firms such as Biogen, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer. The center hopes to develop new medical treatments through research and development with super-computing and high-end visualization infrastructure available at UB.
      Western New York hopes to continue to attract and retain high-tech, and in particular, biotech firms. Officials hope The Center of Excellence at the University of Buffalo will attract new firms to the Western New York area, while aiding research and development projects with firms currently located near Buffalo. Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, a manufacturer of power sources for implanted medical devices, announced in early October of 2001 a major expansion of its facility at Clarence. The 12,300-sq. ft. (1,142 sq.-m) expansion will be dedicated to research and development. "We currently have five facilities in Western New York and the capital improvements, renovations, and new machinery and equipment anticipated in this expansion will further benefit our area by ensuring that we remain an enabling technology leader in the implantable medical device industry," says Edward F. Voboril, chairman of the board, president and CEO of Wilson Greatbatch.