DURING IN-PERSON MEETING WITH U.S. AIR FORCE SECRETARY HEATHER WILSON, SCHUMER PUSHES FOR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS AT ROME LAB; SENATOR SAYS LAB PLAYS VITAL ROLE IN US CYBERSECURITY AND THE REGIONAL ECONOMY, AND THAT FURTHER INVESTMENT IS CRUCIAL
The Air Force Research Laboratory In Rome, New York Is An Invaluable Element Of The U.S. Air Force Research And Development Enterprise That Focuses On Gathering And Processing Cyber Intelligence And Is The Nation’s Premier Research Organization For Command, Control, Cyber, And Intelligence Technologies
Earlier This Year, Schumer Successfully Fought To Secure $14.2M In Fed Funding To Construct A Perimeter Fence At Rome Lab & Over $240M For Operations In FY 19; During His Meeting With Secretary Wilson, Schumer Doubled Down On His Efforts And Pushed For Continued Infrastructure Improvements At The Facility
Schumer To Air Force: Further Investment In Rome Lab Will Fortify National Security, Boost Central New York Economy
Recently, during an in-person meeting with U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the U.S. Air Force (USAF) to continue making critical infrastructure improvements to the Information Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory, or Rome Lab. Schumer previously fought to secure $14.2 million in federal funding for the construction of a perimeter fence at Rome Lab in the Fiscal Year 2019 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related (MILCON-VA) Appropriations bill, as well as over $240 million in federal funding for Rome Lab in the Fiscal Year 2019 Defense Appropriations bill, which was passed by the House and Senate and is expected to be signed into law soon. Schumer said that Rome Lab is a nationwide leader in cutting-edge cybersecurity research and a catalyst for the Mohawk Valley economy and that continuing to invest in the facility is critical.
“During my meeting with US Air Force Secretary Wilson, I emphasized how Rome Lab plays an essential role in both the battle against cyber threats and the Mohawk Valley economy, and called for continued infrastructure upgrades at the facility,” said Senator Schumer. “Not only has Rome Lab delivered real results in developing and enhancing our nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure, but they have shown a commitment to employing local residents with good-paying jobs and partnering with local business to advance their work. I’m extremely proud of the work I’ve done in the Senate on behalf of the world-class Rome Lab, and will keep fighting for investment in the facility to fortify our national security and bolster the regional economy.”
Located in Oneida County, one of Rome Lab’s primary focuses is gathering and processing cyber intelligence. Since 1997, it has been the USAF’s “Superlab” and is considered the nation’s premier research organization for Command, Control, Communications, Cyber and Intelligence (C4I) technologies. The lab focuses on developing information technology for air, space and ground systems, in addition to partnering with other federal agencies, universities, private industry and other state and local governments.
Rome Lab is also a source of growth for the regional economy and a major source of employment. According to the U.S. Air Force’s 2017 economic impact analysis, Rome Lab employed over 1,200 workers with an annual payroll of $140 million and generated over $392 million in regional economic activity last year. The U.S. Air Force’s economic impact study can be found here. Because of Rome Lab’s strong commitment to excellence in developing and enhancing this nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure, as well as its commitment to employing local residents with good-paying jobs, Schumer has long fought to ensure Rome Labs has what it needs to succeed and maintain its strong workforce.
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