Rochester and the Finger Lakes won a top state economic development award -- more than $96 million. But now the question is, are taxpayers getting their money's worth with this award?
The state awarded more than $700 million to New York’s 10 regions. Rochester and the Finger Lakes finished at the top and will divvy up their $96 million across 76 projects.
One of those projects involves $5 million going to the Golisano Institute for Sustainability at RIT.
A giant natural gas powered fuel cell will generate electricity for the new $38 million building. Construction workers are still busy putting the finishing touches on the inside.
The $5 million from the state will pay for the equipment to put into the many labs in the Golisano building. The institute works with industry to find ways to make things work more efficiently. That's the sustainability part — making sure we don't waste resources that will be needed by future generations.
Dr. Nabil Nasr is director. When asked if taxpayers would get their money's worth out of the project, he said, “Absolutely. The main thing in my mind is that this is a great resource for the community from the industrial side and beyond. We have technology we will be demonstrating here. We even have programs for K-12 to help students understand what sustainability is.”
Dr. Nasr stressed how important it is to have the resources, the laboratories, the know-how and ability to also educate professionals in this area. He said it's critical for our community to be effective and competitive.
Rochester and the Finger Lakes won a top state economic development award -- more than $96 million. But now the question is, are taxpayers getting their money's worth with this award?
The state awarded more than $700 million to New York’s 10 regions. Rochester and the Finger Lakes finished at the top and will divvy up their $96 million across 76 projects.
One of those projects involves $5 million going to the Golisano Institute for Sustainability at RIT.
A giant natural gas powered fuel cell will generate electricity for the new $38 million building. Construction workers are still busy putting the finishing touches on the inside.
The $5 million from the state will pay for the equipment to put into the many labs in the Golisano building. The institute works with industry to find ways to make things work more efficiently. That's the sustainability part — making sure we don't waste resources that will be needed by future generations.
Dr. Nabil Nasr is director. When asked if taxpayers would get their money's worth out of the project, he said, “Absolutely. The main thing in my mind is that this is a great resource for the community from the industrial side and beyond. We have technology we will be demonstrating here. We even have programs for K-12 to help students understand what sustainability is.”
Dr. Nasr stressed how important it is to have the resources, the laboratories, the know-how and ability to also educate professionals in this area. He said it's critical for our community to be effective and competitive.
