SUNY Acquisition Demonstrates Prominent Role of Research Centers in Innovation Economy

Well-designed research centers can help bring an innovation ecosystem together through the spillover effects of knowledge dissemination, student learning experiences, local early access to new technologies, and by attracting R&D funding. In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently announced a $30 million initiative led by SUNY’s College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) to transform and revitalize a vacant building into a hub for smart cities technology companies, research, education and workforce training.

The new Smart Cities Technology Innovation Center (SCiTI) is the latest initiative in a continued push by Gov. Cuomo and state legislators toward regionalism to support the state’s high-tech platform (see the April 3, 2013 issue of the Digest). CNSE was awarded $4 million as part of the governor’s Regional Council initiative to spur economic growth in downtown Albany. Funding will be used to leverage another $26 million in private sector support, according to the governor’s press release.

Several states have been successful in transforming industrial or underused areas into high-tech hubs through cluster-based initiatives and the recent announcement in New York demonstrates how research centers play a central role. Often times, however, federal and state-funded university research centers do not maximize their regional economic outcome potential.

Learn More at SSTI's 17th Annual Conference!

In a practitioner-focused session, The Role of Research Centers in an Innovation Ecosystem led by Skip Rung of ONAMI and Anthony Green of The Nanotechnology Institute & Energy Commercialization Institute, we’ll examine innovative research centers taking more holistic approaches to help bring innovation ecosystems together – and the lessons they’ve learned on what works and what doesn’t. The session will be moderated by Ted McAleer, Executive Director of USTAR. Register now!