Cornell University will become involved in multiple projects backed by a $500 million grant from the New York Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) on Dec. 10.
The Southern Tier region, which includes Tompkins County and Cornell University, will receive $100 million each year for the next five years “to support critically needed investments in the economic health of [the] region,” according to President Elizabeth Garrett.
Garrett spoke of how the plan will focus on the Southern Tier’s “culture of scientific and economic innovation” and how it will benefit the region.
“The plan’s focus on advanced manufacturing and transportation assets leverages the strengths of engineering programs at Cornell and Binghamton, and builds upon the region’s long and storied manufacturing history,” Garrett said in the statement. “This plan will [also] bring critically needed seed capital to new ventures, added capital for new discovery and innovation, and will help establish the region as a great place to start and expand new companies, leveraging our college towns and the corridors between them.”
Garrett also praised Mary Opperman, vice president for human resources, and CALS Dean Kathryn Boor for their work in helping to win and secure the grant.
“The upstate revitalization strategy puts a focus on the colleges and universities of the region, their hometowns, and the corridors between the college towns as a mechanism of rejuvenating the regional economy,” Opperman said in the University press release. “By investing in our existing sources of innovation and improving quality of life in the region, this plan will help us highlight and enhance the Southern Tier as a great place for people to learn, live and grow new ventures.”