Binghamton – Legislation authored by Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-Endwell) to protect Binghamton University’s Center of Excellence is one step away from becoming law. The bill (A.6320-C/S.5223-B) passed unanimously in the state Senate and Assembly before the end of the legislative session and will be delivered to Governor Cuomo for his consideration, later this summer. Senator Thomas Libous (R-Binghamton) sponsored the bill in the state Senate.

The Centers of Excellence Program was established in the 2002-2003 state budget, but was never put into law. Consequently, the Centers of Excellence must continue to be reauthorized every year. The program supports 6 major high technology research facilities and institutions in Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Rochester, Stony Brook and Syracuse.

In 2006, Lupardo and Libous worked together to get Binghamton University designated a Center of Excellence in Small Scale Systems Integration and Packaging (S3IP). Part of the Innovative Technologies Complex (ITC) at Binghamton University, S3IP addresses research challenges in small scale system design, process development, prototyping and manufacturing for academia and the microelectronics industry.

The new bill will help the entire Centers of Excellence Program maintain its purposes, goals and enhance accountability. In addition to establishing the program in law, it will require annual plans from each of the centers for commercializing products or processes based on innovations developed at their facilities within New York State.

“The cutting-edge research and development being done at our Centers of Excellence is vital to the innovation economy in New York,” said Lupardo, Chair of the Legislative Commission on Science and Technology. “This legislation will allow the centers to focus on research that will focus on commercialization and job development, while at the same time being accountable for spending the state’s money wisely.”

“We are grateful for the continued support of Assemblywoman Lupardo and Senator Libous,” said Binghamton University President C. Peter Magrath. “The Southern Tier has long been a hub for microelectronics research and Binghamton University’s New York State Center of Excellence in Small Scale Systems Integration and Packaging (S3IP) builds on this legacy. With continued support, S3IP will maintain its role as an innovation leader and as a result, enhance economic vitality through breakthrough research in electronics manufacturing and packaging, making the Southern Tier and New York state a vital nerve center in the technology race.”

“Research is a key driver of innovation and in these trying economic times, Binghamton University is committed to contributing real value to real problems,” said Bahgat Sammakia, Interim Vice President for Research. ”Since its inception, S3IP has generated an estimated economic impact of $800 million and is key to Binghamton’s continued research growth. This bill clearly demonstrates that both Assemblywoman Lupardo and Senator Libous understand and share our vision, and we are grateful for their support. Not only will the bill allow us to maintain and enhance our economic development efforts, but will also ensure that the partnerships we have with government, academia and industry will continue to provide opportunities for collaboration that will advance the frontiers of microelectronics research and development in our community and across New York State."