Two Central New York Consortiums Awarded Federal Funding Through Defense Manufacturing Program

The Upstate Defense Consortium, in partnership with Empire State Development, CenterState CEO, the Griffiss Institute, Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families and FuzeHub received a $5 million award through the Defense Manufacturing Support Communities Program. The federal grant will be used to expand educational, workforce training and job placement programming in the microelectronics and defense manufacturing industries. 

The federal program run by the Department of Defense is designed to support long-term community investments that strengthen national security innovation and expand the capabilities of the defense manufacturing industrial ecosystem. If awarded, the Upstate Defense Consortium would be eligible for funding to support the region's semiconductor and microelectronics industry. 

"Central New York's defense-related employers play a critical role in our national security and this designation is a testament to the power of partnerships between these employers and between Central New York and the Mohawk Valley. This investment, through the DoD’s Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program, will enable these companies to work together to develop the talent they need, advance innovation and connect to local supply chains," said Rob Simpson, President of CenterState CEO. "We are grateful to Senator Schumer for his incredible support of our efforts and recognition that investing in the region's defense manufacturing is critical to national security and our community's continued economic growth."

A consortium out of Cornell University focused on aerospace engineering also received a $5 million grant to support workforce development and facility upgrades, among other investments. 

Read more:

Syracuse.com

Central New York Business Journal

Department of Defense Press Release

Read past coverage: 

Sen. Schumer's Press Release

Syracuse.com

Oswego Today