Senator Griffo and Assemblymember Brindisi Secure Crucial Funding for Local Military Assets in 2013-14 Budget

March 26, 2013

Senator Joseph A. Griffo (R/C-Rome) and Assemblymember Anthony J. Brindisi (D-Utica) announced the 2013-14 state budget contains funding for cyber-security initiatives in the region as well as for military base retention efforts (A.3003/ S.2603-E).

“Cyber-security research and development is crucial to the continued economic development of the Mohawk Valley and the national security of our state and nation, which is why Senator Griffo and I have fought hard to protect it in both last year’s and this year’s state budget negotiations,” Assemblymember Brindisi said. “The expansion and development of the Mohawk Valley region as a center of excellence in the field of cyber-security will not only provide a significant boost in job growth for our families, it will also help enhance important military research and development. Bottom line: It’s great news for our region.”

Specifically, the Griffiss Local Development Corporation (GLDC) will receive more than $1 million in funding, which will help protect and create jobs and develop a cyber-security research hub that will be used for both state and nationwide purposes.

Expansive research initiatives on a wide variety of topics will be undertaken, including cyber-security, information management, communications and intelligence analysis, military command and control and high-performance computing.

“The challenges for GLDC are still there, but their track record and their plans to promote the Rome area and the region are sound and need to continue,” Griffo said. “In another challenging fiscal year, I’m pleased that we could secure funds for the organization.”

“The specter of defense cuts – whether it be another BRAC or sequestration – makes continued investment in base retention efforts a top priority for our region,” said Griffo. “We are pleased that the Governor has concurred with this and will continue to fund this imperative initiative.”

Additionally, both legislators helped secure funding for the Mohawk Valley’s military base retention efforts as part of a statewide military base retention program. The funding will help protect jobs in the Mohawk Valley and safeguards Rome Labs and other local military assets from further Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) cuts, they noted.

“The $2.5 million budgeted for military base retention in New York State will provide instrumental support to the CYBER NY Alliance (Central New York Defense Alliance) and the initiatives underway to promote, enhance, and strengthen the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Rome Research Site at the Griffiss Business and Technology Park,” said Mary Carol Chruscicki, the Alliance’s Executive Director.

“The Air Force Research Laboratory at Rome, together with New York State’s ecosystem of strong defense contractors, high tech companies and public and private colleges and universities, provides advanced high tech research and development in Cybersecurity and Information Technologies, enabling a one of a kind collaborative force that is critical to our nation’s defense,” Chruscicki said. “This funding will be very valuable in making sure that Washington hears our voice, and recognizes that any disruption of Rome Lab’s mission will impact our national security, and the foundation of expertise that is needed to address our growing cyber threat.”

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