Two of New York's regional "centers for excellence" are merging. Albany's Center for Excellence in Nanoelectronics and Nanotechnology will be joining up with the Infotonics Technology Center in Canandaigua.
From the Democrat and Chronicle:
Under the change, the Canandaigua center will be called the Smart System Technology and Commercialization Center and management control will shift to the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, whose CEO is Alain Kaloyeros. Current Infotonics Center CEO Paul Tolley will remain in his job and Mullen said the “symbiosis” created by the merger should result in the eventual creation of 200 jobs.
The New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation and Empire State Development will be kicking in $10 million to make the move.
In a press release, Governor David Paterson says the merger will "strengthen New York's role" in the "innovation economy:"
This merger will now allow for the best and brightest minds to collaborate and partner together, leveraging these assets and driving new opportunities that will have a resounding affect not only in the Finger Lakes region but across the state.
The Innovation Trail's Zack Seward is at the event announcing the merger. We'll have more details later today.
