News

July 16, 2012

Spurring nanotechnology-driven economic growth in downtown Albany, CHA, Trinity Alliance and UAlbany NanoCollege Announce Partnerships to establish city of Albany as emerging hub for 'smart cities' technologies

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Albany, NY – In accordance with Governor Andrew Cuomo’s vision and blueprint for livable communities and “smart cities” growth strategies, the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) of the University at Albany today announced partnerships with CHA, formerly known as Clough Harbour & Associates, and the Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region (Trinity Alliance) combining innovation and education initiatives in next-generation “smart cities” technologies to establish the City of Albany as a leading hub for this emerging 21st century industry.

Under this CNSE initiative, CHA will place its corporate headquarters and locate its top executives at Kiernan Plaza in downtown Albany and build on its leading-edge engineering capabilities in smart systems, clean energy and manufacturing in partnership with CNSE.  Concurrently, Trinity Alliance will support joint nanotechnology education and workforce training programs to create opportunities for underrepresented communities in New York’s emerging nanotechnology-driven smart system industry – partnerships that will generate up to 150 executive and high-tech jobs and set the stage for further nanotechnology-enabled economic growth in downtown Albany.

CHA Chief Executive Officer Ray Rudolph said, “As our company grows, we are delighted to be able to locate our corporate headquarters in downtown Albany and continue our presence in the Capital Region. And, our partnership with the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering provides us exciting new opportunities to continue to expand our services in clean energy technology and advanced manufacturing. This will be particularly important as we continue to grow internationally.”
 
Harris Oberlander, Chief Executive Officer of Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region, said, “Trinity Alliance salutes the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering for paving the way for Albany’s residents to access world-class student education and workforce development opportunities that have historically bypassed our inner cities.  Trinity is proud to partner with CNSE to ensure that STEM education and exposure to high-technology training are made available to the people and neighborhoods our agency serves. We are confident that employers will follow in the vision and leadership evidenced by Dr. Alain Kaloyeros and his team by recognizing Albany’s talent pool and tapping this workforce for the job and career opportunities of the  21st century.”

Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy said, “Such partnerships are critical to the economic development of Albany County.  The collaboration between CNSE and CHA means a new corporate headquarters will be located in downtown Albany and the work done there will attract and encourage public-private partnerships.  By establishing a relationship with Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region, CNSE is helping to provide the educational and training opportunities for Albany County’s next generation of workers, particularly those who have been underrepresented in STEM fields.  Thank you!”

Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings said, “I am thrilled to see significant new economic impact and downtown revitalization with the location of CHA’s corporate headquarters at a true landmark, Kiernan Plaza, through this exciting partnership with the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering. Together with the educational and workforce training initiatives in collaboration with Trinity Alliance, and by working closely with the NanoCollege, the City of Albany is poised to become a leader in ‘smart cities’ technologies, attracting high-tech jobs and providing our citizens with new opportunities that will improve the vibrancy and quality of life in the City.”
 
Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of CNSE, said, “In further building on the vision, leadership and investment of Governor Andrew Cuomo, which has enabled the development of a nanotechnology sector in New York that is the envy of the world, the UAlbany NanoCollege is delighted to launch these exciting partnerships with CHA and Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region. These unique collaborations support the continuing revitalization of downtown Albany as a hub for 21st century ‘smart cities’ technologies, ensure that underrepresented communities will benefit from nanotechnology-driven economic opportunity and growth, and cement New York’s global recognition as a nexus for cutting-edge technologies and a world-class workforce.”
 
CHA and its partners will locate its entire leadership team, as well as electrical, mechanical and civil engineers, at Kiernan Plaza. That will provide a prime location for joint programs in which CNSE and CHA will lead the development and commercialization of “smart cities” technologies, including smart devices, sensors and computer chips, integrated systems, and operating software to collect and analyze data for a variety of critical applications, including monitoring highway conditions and improving traffic flow; protecting vital infrastructure, such as bridges, data centers and utility installations; safeguarding facilities, including wastewater treatment plants; and providing e-safety and security in educational settings.
 
A highly diversified, full-service engineering firm, CHA’s downtown location will further support the formation of startups, the attraction of new companies, and the establishment of clusters of companies in new energy, manufacturing and smart system technologies with a one-stop, “lab-to-fab” capability for research, development and deployment – addressing the critical needs of New York’s manufacturing competitiveness and public infrastructure.
 
The CNSE-Trinity Alliance partnership is designed to have a broad positive impact on young people from urban environments and communities whose citizens are traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields. CNSE and Trinity will work collaboratively to develop, plan and coordinate academic curricula and outreach activities to provide community members served by Trinity with nanotechnology educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields; workforce training in high-tech skills; pathways to STEM careers; and a range of venues to further engage in the state’s burgeoning nanotechnology sector.
 
In addition, CNSE and Trinity will explore joint funding opportunities to develop a unique education and training infrastructure to augment Albany’s Capital South Campus Center, a 17,500-square-foot  educational facility to be built in the South End neighborhood and managed by Trinity Alliance. Construction is scheduled to begin next month on the campus center, which is funded by a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The collaboration has the potential to create up to 25 jobs, including personnel to spearhead education, training and workforce development programs.

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About CNSE. The UAlbany CNSE is the first college in the world dedicated to education, research, development and deployment in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience, nanoengineering, nanobioscience and nanoeconomics. With more than $14 billion in high-tech investments, CNSE represents the world’s most advanced university-driven research enterprise, offering students a one-of-a-kind academic experience and providing over 300 corporate partners with access to an unmatched ecosystem for leading-edge R&D and commercialization of nanoelectronics and nanotechnology innovations. CNSE’s footprint spans upstate New York, including its Albany NanoTech Complex, an 800,000-square-foot megaplex with the only fully-integrated, 300mm wafer, computer chip pilot prototyping and demonstration line within 85,000 square feet of Class 1 capable cleanrooms. More than 2,700 scientists, researchers, engineers, students and faculty work here, from companies including IBM, Intel, GlobalFoundries, SEMATECH, Samsung, TSMC, Toshiba, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, ASML and Novellus Systems. An expansion now underway, part of which will house the world’s first Global 450mm Consortium, will add nearly 500,000 square feet of next-generation infrastructure, an additional 50,000 square feet of Class 1 capable cleanrooms, and more than 1,000 scientists, researchers and engineers from CNSE and global corporations. In addition, CNSE’s Solar Energy Development Center in Halfmoon provides a prototyping and demonstration line for next-generation CIGS thin-film solar cells. CNSE’s Smart System Technology and Commercialization Center of Excellence (STC) in Rochester offers state-of-the-art capabilities for MEMS fabrication and packaging. CNSE also co-founded and manages operations at the Computer Chip Commercialization Center at SUNYIT in Utica and is a co-founder of the Nanotechnology Innovation and Commercialization Excelerator in Syracuse. For information, visit www.cnse.albany.edu.

About CHA. CHA Consulting is a highly diversified, full service engineering firm providing a wide range of planning and design services. The firm serves a diverse range of end markets including: transportation, aviation, utilities, environmental, education, manufacturing, health care, government, rail and energy. It also provides land development and construction services. CHA was named Engineering News Record New York's “Design Firm of the Year” and ranks within the top 60 engineering design firms in the United States.
 

About Trinity Alliance. Founded in 1912 by Episcopalian Pastor Reverend Creighton Storey, Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region is known for its pioneering efforts in social service and health and wellness delivery. Innovations include one of the longest continuously running after-school programs in the city of Albany, the presence of neighborhood establishments in every inner-city Albany neighborhood supporting broad social involvement and community (re)development, primary family support programs aimed at keeping families together, cradle to grave services and total, wrap-around services under one roof. Trinity Alliance's mission is to provide services that will support and promote healthy families, adults and children.  Trinity is dedicated to improving the neighborhood as a setting for family life, contributing to health and well-being, and promoting education and employment as a means of self-development. The objective of the Capital South Campus Center is to raise the median income in the city of Albany and nearby communities through successful higher education degree completion and workforce entry at commensurate wages.

Contact: Steve Janack, Vice President for Marketing and Communications, CNSE
(518) 956-7322 | sjanack@albany.edu