New York's Senator
CHARLES E. SCHUMER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 1, 2000

SCHUMER: ROME LABS IS POISED TO BECOME THE SILICON VALLEY OF THE NORTHEAST

Senator Says Groundbreaking Ceremony Marks The Start of Something Special In Central New York
US Senator Charles E. Schumer was joined today by US Representative Sherwood Boehlert, Governor Pataki and other local officials at a groundbreaking ceremony for the Air Force's Rome Consolidated Intelligence & Reconnaissance Laboratory (CIRL).

This project will consolidate research currently dispersed among 12 buildings over a 40-acre complex at Griffiss Business and Technology Park into a new two building complex. In so doing, the facility will be able to continue its groundbreaking defense research as well as attract new private sector companies to the region, creating hundreds of new jobs in the high-tech industry.

"Rome Labs is poised to become the Silicon Valley of America's converted bases and will serve as a model to the nation," Schumer said. "By modernizing this facility, Rome will be able to attract new companies to the area and develop its local economy while playing a crucial role in protecting our national security."

"I'm glad that Sherry Boehlert and I were able to win the Congressional support needed to make this project happen and today's ceremony demonstrates the good that we can do when we work together," Schumer said.

Schumer and Boehlert worked together to obtain federal funding for the project and won Congressional approval for New York State to help fund the consolidation effort. The lawmakers obtained $12.8 million for the project and inserted language into the 2000 Defense Appropriations Bill that allowed the state to contribute $13 million to the $25.8 million project. The use of the State funds was contingent upon the appropriation of the federal money and special Congressional authorization.

"With all of the groundbreaking work that will be going on here, it will only be a matter of time before scores of companies come rushing into the region and create hundreds of opportunities for the people here," Schumer said. "I am going to start spreading the word to high-tech companies that something special is brewing right here in Central New York that they ought to check out."

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