State lawmakers: $1M for defense and research nonprofits at Griffiss

ROME, N.Y. — Two organizations that work at the Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome will use a share of $1 million in state funding that two state lawmakers have secured.

The Cyber Research Institute will use $650,000, while the Central New York Defense Alliance will use $350,000, New York State Senator Joseph Griffo (R–Rome) and State Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi (D–Utica) said in a joint news release issued Monday.

The lawmakers contend the state funding will “significantly enhance” the organizations’ efforts.

Those efforts are helping the region “strengthen and safeguard” its military, technology, and cyber-security presence by “solidifying” its public-private partnerships and “fostering job growth,” according to the release.

About the CRI
Established in 2012, the nonprofit Cyber Research Institute (CRI) provides scientific research for government and industry with an emphasis on cyber-security.

It also works to help Central New York attract new industries, while retaining and developing the cyber-security industry in Rome and surrounding communities.

The CRI will use the state funding as it helps public and private organizations “confront” cyber challenges so they can remain competitive, increase productivity, and reduce risk.

The funding is “critical” to supporting work in the cyber arena that “ultimately maximizes” public benefit, and it will allow the CRI to quickly respond to newly identified challenges.

The CRI will work directly with these organizations to understand the obstacles they face in managing their operations in “ever-increasing” technology environments, along with “facilitating solutions” for research and development needs.

CRI will work to foster partnerships and collaborations with cyber resources in the academic, government, and industry sectors, both locally and throughout New York.

About the CNY Defense Alliance
Established in 2011, the nonprofit Central New York Defense Alliance works to “promote and leverage the significant defense ecosystem that exists” in New York, with emphasis on protecting, enhancing, and strengthening the presence of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Rome research site (AFRL Rome) at Griffiss Business and Technology Park.

This ecosystem includes public and private colleges and universities; a strong network of defense and aerospace contractors; and technology companies.

The Alliance is also described as the “only nonprofit corporation in the region that is positioned to legally engage in lobbying to strengthen and expand” the defense industry and technology base of Central New York.

This funding will be “critical” to the Alliance’s efforts in collaborating with AFRL Rome and developing strategies that will support the “promotion and strengthening” of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS); the Eastern Area Defense Sector (EADS); and the FAA-designated Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) test site, each located at the Griffiss Business and Technology Park, according to the news release.

To accomplish this, the CNY Defense Alliance, along with Mohawk Valley EDGE, Griffiss Local Development Corporation, Griffiss Institute, Cyber Research Institute, and CenterState CEO, will work with federal, state, and local elected officials to maintain an “advocacy effort” for the region’s assets.

They’ll also seek to ensure that these strategies are focused on “enhancing” upstate New York’s high-tech ecosystem while creating job growth in Central New York.

Lawmaker reaction
Both Griffo and Brindisi offered reaction to securing the state funding for the nonprofit organizations at Griffiss Business and Technology Park.

“As we remain vigilant against an array of security threats we currently witness across the globe, we cannot overemphasize the need for cyber-security and the role it plays in the defense of New York State and our nation,” Griffo said in the news release. “Our region is on the forefront of the battle to ensure that we have the best talents and technology to defend our borders, and I am pleased that this funding will be instrumental in continuing the important work of strengthening our national security, while preserving the defense assets that are located at Griffiss. Our community is proud to host these standalone military assets and research partners, and with that support we continue to do everything we can to sustain this important presence in the Mohawk Valley.”

The funding helps “solidify the very significant work” that takes place at the Griffiss Business and Technology Park “strengthening” cyber security,” Brindisi said in the same news release.

“Both organizations thrive because they continue valuable collaborations that help our nation’s defense system and businesses respond to cyber threats. This funding also will significantly boost efforts to protect the Mohawk Valley’s federal employers, which have long been a very important part of our economy. The future structure of the federal Defense Department is always an unknown, but with these organizations working on our behalf, we can be assured that the Air Force Research Lab, DFAS, EADS and the Unmanned Aerial Systems test site at Griffiss continue to be in a strong position.”

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com