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Kodak, the 131-year-old photography pioneer, filed for bankruptcy on January 19th 2012.Eastman Kodak announced early this morning that filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy was “the right thing to do for the future” of the company.In a statement, Kodak CEO Antonio Perez said company leadership decided the move was “a necessary step.”Innovation Trail has followed the story over the course of 2012.

Solar company picks Rochester for research center

Natcore CEO Chuck Provini, left, and Rep. Louise Slaughter at Kodak's Eastman Business Park in February. Natcore announced today that it's establishing a research center there.
Zack Seward
/
WXXI
Natcore CEO Chuck Provini, left, and Rep. Louise Slaughter at Kodak's Eastman Business Park in February. Natcore announced today that it's establishing a research center there.

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New Jersey-based solar company Natcore Technology is establishing a research center at Kodak's Eastman Business Park.

That's the word from Natcore ahead of a meeting today with local officials.

The solar company says it's consolidating its research work in Rochester. The new center will initially be staffed by eight people.

In a statement, Natcore CEO Chuck Provini says the company chose Rochester for several reasons.

"It will give us access to Kodak's considerable prowess in thin-film technology and much of the infrastructure we will require," said Provini. "In addition, we can tap expertise at Rochester's distinguished universities."

It's a small victory for Eastman Business Park, as well as Rep. Louise Slaughter. Earlier this month the Department of Energy rejected Kodak's application for a federal grant, which would've brought a much larger operation - a Natcore manufacturing line - to the business park.

Slaughter says she had lobbied hard to secure the $8 million grant. Natcore says Slaughter has been instrumental in bringing the company to Rochester.

According to Natcore, the new research center will consist of two labs, a clean room and some administrative offices. The center will be housed in Building #82 of Eastman Business Park.

To fill the eight jobs, Natcore says it will soon begin interviewing "chemical engineers, electrical engineers, materials scientists, and technicians."

WXXI/Finger Lakes reporter for the Innovation Trail.
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