CONGRESSMAN MORELLE, MAJORITY LEADER SCHUMER, AND SENATOR GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $1.1 MILLION IN CARES ACT FUNDING TO SUPPORT ROCHESTER’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY

(Rochester, NY)—Today, Congressman Joe Morelle, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $1.1 million has been award to the Rochester Institute of Technology's (RIT) Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies. This funding, allocated as part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), is specifically designed to support industries ailing from the pandemic and will uplift our region's manufacturing economy, with a goal of retaining and creating hundreds of jobs over the next decade.

"When my colleagues and I passed the CARES Act last year, we made an investment in supporting our local economies and uplifting businesses impacted by the pandemic so they can bounce back stronger than ever. That's exactly what this funding will do," said Congressman Joe Morelle. "The Rochester region—and RIT in particular—is a national leader in advanced manufacturing, and this funding will help create much-needed jobs and ensure we remain competitive in the global market. I look forward to my continued work with Majority Leader Schumer and Senator Gillibrand to provide our community with the tools and resources to revitalize our economy, support our families, and put this crisis behind us."

"Investments into local economies are crucial as our communities continue to endure the economic hardships brought on by the pandemic," saidUS Senator Charles Schumer. "That's why I fought hard to include funding in the CARES Act for EDA to ensure both the recovery and prosperity of communities like Rochester. Thanks to this investment, RIT will play a pivotal role in creating jobs and promoting economic stability and growth as the Rochester region recovers."

"RIT's Industry 4.0 Transition Program will create dozens of jobs, save hundreds more, and attract private investment to the Rochester area, allowing the region to remain nationally competitive despite the devastating impact of COVID-19," said Senator Gillibrand. "I will continue fighting to ensure that Rochester has the resources it needs to bounce back from the pandemic."

"A strong, globally competitive manufacturing sector will ensure communities in the Finger Lakes and central regions of New York State are economically viable," said Dr. Nabil Nasr, Director and Associate Provost of RIT's Golisano Institute for Sustainability. "Adaptability, agility, connectivity, and supply chain resilience is the new hallmark of a sustainable, competitive company. This program gives manufacturers the right knowledge and advanced tools to be more competitive, thus increasing business and in turn expanding their workforce needs," said Nasr.

The CARES Act, which was enacted in the spring of 2020, delivered unprecedented relief across America to combat the devastating economic damage caused by the COVID-19 crisis. In addition to providing stimulus checks for Americans, expanding unemployment relief, and supporting small businesses through loan forgiveness grants, the legislation also allocated $1.5 billion to the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Agency (EDA) to help communities respond to the impacts of COVID-19 and rebuild their workforce.

This $1.1 million EDA investment supports the Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies (CIMS) at the Golisano Institute for Sustainability at RIT with implementation of their Industry 4.0 Transition Program. This program assists the Finger Lakes and Central New York regions in their recovery from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic through technical assistance provided to affected businesses. Once completed, the project will advance economic resiliency, create new job opportunities, and attract private investment in designated Opportunity Zones.

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