Binghamton University broke ground today on a new building for their Center of Excellence. Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-Endwell) and state Senator Thomas Libous (R-Binghamton) secured $30 million in state funding for the project. The project will provide a $15.9 million annual economic impact and support more than 180 jobs per year in the region during its construction. Lupardo and Libous were able to get Binghamton University designated a Center of Excellence in Small Scale Systems Integration and Packaging (S3IP) in 2006.

“This isn’t just about new buildings, it’s a recognition of Binghamton University’s status as a world-class research institution,” said Lupardo, a member of the Higher Education Committee in the Assembly and Binghamton University alumnus. “It’s also a recognition that Binghamton University is playing a vital role in reinvigorating the new economy and revitalizing the innovative spirit that helped this community grow in the first place.”

Governor David Paterson attended the groundbreaking ceremony in the atrium of the future Engineering and Science Building. Also on hand was Congressman Maurice Hinchey, state Senator Thomas Libous and Broome County Executive Barbara Fiala.

The new Center of Excellence building will allow for the expansion of S3IP, which addresses research challenges in small scale system design, process development, prototyping and manufacturing for academia and the microelectronics industry. When complete, the facility will connect with the Biotechnology and the Engineering and Science buildings, which are both part of the University’s Innovative Technologies Complex (ITC).