Senator Gallivan Applauds Funding for RIT

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) is praising a decision by the board of the Higher Education Capital Matching Grant Program (HECap) to award Rochester Institute of Technology $5 million for construction of a building for RIT’s Global Cybersecurity Institute.  The $20-million project calls for construction of a 45,000 square foot, state of the art facility.

“This grant is critical to RIT’s mission to be a leader in cybersecurity technology and education,” Senator Gallivan said.  “We live in a world where we are all connected by the internet and that means we must have highly trained individuals to protect against cybersecurity threats and to meet the needs of this rapidly growing industry.”

HECap was established in 2005 and awards funding based on how individual projects affect student life, enhance economic development in the surrounding area and increase programmatic offerings for the school.  Private and not-for-profit colleges and universities are required to provide a 3:1 dollar match in order to receive the awards.  The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York administers the program.

The latest round of grants totals $67-million and include 39 projects statewide.  The NYS Senate provided an additional $30-million in this year’s budget to help fund future projects.

Senator Gallivan also congratulates RIT for being awarded a five-year, $19.5 million contract by the Department of Environmental Conservation to operate the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I).  RIT has operated NYSP2I for the past 10 years, assisting businesses in pollution prevention, energy conservation, waste reduction, research and education.

“RIT has a proven track record in operating the Pollution Prevention Institute,” Senator Gallivan said.  “By assisting businesses in saving energy and reducing waste, the institute continues to have a positive impact on our economy and our environment.”

NYSP2I will be directed by RIT and implemented through a statewide consortium that includes Binghamton University, Cornell University, Clarkson University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the State’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership network.

In addition, NYSP2I will implement a yearly community grants program totaling nearly $1-million over five years.  These grants will support local organizations raise awareness about pollution prevention strategies on the local level to improve public health, environmental quality and economic sustainability.

The program is funded by the State’s Environmental Protection Fund.

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