FuzeHub awards $75K grant to Syracuse University

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University will use a $75,000 grant in its work with a company developing a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system for residence halls.

Syracuse is collaborating with DeWitt–based NuClimate Air Quality Systems Inc. on new HVAC technology.

The grant is among a total of more than $300,000 awarded to four schools, FuzeHub said in a news release.

FuzeHub, an Albany–based nonprofit organization, helps small to medium-sized manufacturing companies in New York by matching them with technical and business resources.

The work involved

The project will create a new advanced HVAC testbed at the Syracuse Center of Excellence for Environmental and Energy Systems (SyracuseCoE). It’ll be designed to support development and testing of prototypes of a variety of new HVAC products from New York firms.

In its first use, NuClimate will collaborate with SyracuseCoE to “refine and test” a new HVAC product for dormitories and other residential buildings.

NuClimate expects that commercialization of the “envisioned” new product will increase its revenue 50 percent and create 10 new jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and professional positions.

Jeff Lawrence Fund

FuzeHub awarded the funding from the Jeff Lawrence Manufacturing Innovation Fund.

Lawrence, who died in 2015, was a top executive at the Albany–based Center for Economic Growth, the manufacturing extension partnership (MEP) center for the Capital Region, and a supporter of New York manufacturing and entrepreneurial communities.

The manufacturing-innovation fund, which was established with $1 million annually for five years, supports activities designed to “spur technology development and commercialization” across New York state.

FuzeHub is administering the fund as part of its role as the Empire State Development (ESD)-designated statewide MEP center. As part of the fund, FuzeHub offers manufacturing-innovation grants.

The grants are available to New York nonprofit organizations, including higher-education institutions, proposing “innovative” projects involving small and mid-sized manufacturers or early-stage companies, FuzeHub said.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com