ROME – The Air Force Research Laboratory, Griffiss Institute and SUNY Polytechnic Institute have partnered to create an open innovation campus at Griffiss Business and Technology Park. According to Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, regional and international researchers can come and use the facility to research a variety of topics, including quantum computer technology and cyber security.

The campus will be housed in Building 100 at the former Air Force base, a site with 40,000 square feet of space available to develop this project.

Picente says that this sends a very positive message to technology companies around the world.

"It really shows the investment that we have into technology in this community. It really does send a strong message to our colleges and institutions. It also sends a message to companies that want to start their businesses here and don’t know where to go. It really does create the workforce of the future which is centered around technology,” said Picente.

The funding from the project was secured by both Oneida County and Sen. Joseph Griffo's office. Oneida County will be paying 5.6 million, 1.4 million will be paid for by the Empire State Development, and 1.5 million from the NYSDOT Aviation Bureau.

Construction on the redevelopment project has already started. The county expects the facility to be up and running by April of 2020.