VESTAL, N.Y. — New York State is spending $20 million to support the next phase of the federally sponsored NextFlex initiative, dedicated to developing flexible and additive hybrid electronics devices.
The state is providing a second round of funding to the Research Foundation of SUNY, on behalf of Binghamton University — the New York node of the NextFlex nationwide consortium, the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Thursday.
The program brings companies of all sizes together with universities to develop new technologies; supply chains and manufacturing infrastructure; and to train the skilled workforce needed to help upstate New York grow its high technology manufacturing base, per Hochul’s office.
Empire State Development is providing the funding to support the initiative through the Southern Tier Soaring Upstate Revitalization Initiative.
“New York State continues to lead the way in creating the jobs of the future, investing in industries from scientific research to software development,” Hochul contended in a news release. “Initiatives like NextFlex are spurring further development in growing sectors like these to create the high-tech jobs needed to support New York’s economy for future generations.”
NextFlex Phase II will work to provide state-of-the art solutions for health-care concerns, energy generation, and aviation. The total project cost has been placed at $45 million, supported by New York State’s $20 million in funding, $20 million from the federal government, and $5 million in private investment from NextFlex members. In 2016, ESD provided $20 million for NextFlex Phase I, which supported the Department of Defense’s launch of NextFlex. Phase I focused on the development of flexible and printed electronics in the U.S.