Suffolk Reporter

Federal Build Back Better and State Funds Will Help Construct Battery Technology and Manufacturing Facility Supporting the Domestic Innovation and Commercialization of Next-Generation Battery Production

Strategic Investments Further Establish Southern Tier Region as National Hub for Growing Energy Storage Industry and Advance New Energy New York Initiative

Federal And NYS Investments Complement "Southern Tier Soaring" - The Region's Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced Binghamton University will receive a combined investment of $113.7 million to support the creation of Battery-NY, a cutting-edge technology development, manufacturing, and commercialization energy storage hub. In addition to $50 million in state funding first announced by Governor Hochul in her 2022 State of the State address, Binghamton University was selected by the U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration to receive $63.7 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan's Build Back Better Regional Challenge, a national competition that is providing transformative investments to develop and strengthen regional industry clusters across the country, that also enhance economic equity, create good-paying jobs, and further the United States' global competitiveness. Binghamton University was one of 21 chosen out of more than 500 applications originally which were narrowed to sixty applicants in round two of the challenge. Yesterday, Governor Hochul announced Western New York was awarded $25 million to spark local innovation, strengthen inclusive workforce development programs, and develop needed infrastructure in region.

"I congratulate Binghamton University on securing this critical funding through the the Biden administration's Build Back Better initiative," Governor Hochul said. "We remain laser-focused on strengthening New York's world-class education, with Binghamton University playing a key role in building the next generation of New York's clean energy industry. Combined with our multi-million-dollar state investment, this funding will help Binghamton University establish this state-of-the-art facility by advancing innovative research and bolstering New York's commitment to renewable energy -- creating a cleaner, more resilient future for all New Yorkers."

The combined funding will enable Binghamton University to establish Battery-NY at the Huron campus. In her State of the State address in January, Governor Hochul prioritized the creation of a cutting-edge next generation research & development, testing and small-scale manufacturing facility that will focus on the research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of the next generation of batteries. The investments support the broader New Energy New York (NENY) initiative, whose goal is to create a National Hub for Battery Innovation and Manufacturing. The state's investment will be funded through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative to further support the Southern Tier's growing battery manufacturing industry.

Led by Distinguished Professor and 2019 Nobel Prize Winner M. Stanley Whittingham, and Binghamton Associate Vice President Per Stromhaug, Binghamton University's Battery-NY will research and develop next generation batteries and other clean energy technologies that have the potential to transform the transportation, military and energy sectors. The center will also help establish a robust manufacturing infrastructure within the Southern Tier capable of supporting multiple industries and their supply chains, leading the creation of thousands of good-paying advanced manufacturing jobs over the next decade.

With the funding now secured for this advanced technology project, work is expected to get underway this fall, with the facility targeted to open sometime in the next two years. The total project cost as been placed at $122 million.

In her 2022 State of the State address, Governor Hochul outlined New York's ambitious plan to grow the state's clean energy economy. In addition to creating Battery-NY, Governor Hochul committed to double New York's energy storage deployment goals from 3 Gigawatts to at least 6 Gigawatts by 2030, establish the state as a Green Hydrogen Hub, and to invest $1 billion to advance New York's Electric Vehicle industry.

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, "This award marks another win for New York State. The Southern Tier is quickly becoming a hub for research, innovation, and advanced manufacturing, and Binghamton University's Battery-NY project will serve as the first-in-class center to develop, commercialize, and manufacture these new battery technologies. This funding will provide needed resources to support the researchers and entrepreneurs who are working to advance the growing energy storage industry, which will super-charge economic development and job creation in the region and statewide."

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, "This transformative funding award is representative of the leadership and collaboration that is central to New York's clean energy transition under Governor Hochul. Creating a prototype manufacturing and workforce development center at Binghamton University will be a huge win for the Southern Tier Region and help to ensure the state's path to a nation-leading six gigawatts of energy storage is grounded in a local supply chain built by New York workers."

M. Stanley Whittingham, inventor of the lithium-ion battery who helped lead the proposal's development, said, "This will enable North America to develop batteries rather than sending our technology overseas,"  "We can't have a supply chain dominated by any one part of the world. We can have batteries that have 'Made in America' stamped on them. I'm excited to spearhead the prototype facility in Endicott. We have built a coalition with industry partners so we have plans that are already informed by companies' needs."

Binghamton University Associate Vice President for Innovation and Economic Development Per Stromhaug said, "Everyone we talked to has seen the importance of the project and been excited about being part of it," Stromhaug said. "We are ready to have programs up and running quickly, with the Endicott pilot manufacturing facility open in a year or two. The program will be a magnet for the region and upstate New York, leading to high-paying jobs in development and manufacturing. It's going to make an impact nationally."   

Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger said, "The New Energy New York team has worked hard on this project and without the leadership and guidance from Sen. Schumer from the beginning, we do not believe we would be here today. Distinguished Professor and Nobel Prize-winner Stan Whittingham and our Associate Vice President Per Stromhaug had an idea they believed was crucial to our nation's energy security. They, along with their team and NENY coalition members, have carried the concept to this point where we can stand here today as winners of the EDA's Build Back Better Regional Challenge. With this win, and with the tremendous financial support from New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul, we are confident we can turn the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions of New York into the national hub for battery innovation, manufacturing and workforce development."

SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley said, "New York State has assembled a coalition that will help the US gain global leadership in advanced battery manufacturing and enable our country to move further away from fossil fuels. Winning the Build Back Better Regional Competition propels their proposal forward with Nobel Laureate Dr. Stan Whittingham's research and expertise in this field. Our congratulations to Dr. Whittingham, President Stenger, and the Binghamton University community, and our thanks to the collaborators amongst the New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium. SUNY has a long history of research prowess made possible by our faculty and staff, state of the art facilities, and significant financial backing at a national and state level. Our gratitude to Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, the state's legislature, and our congressional delegation for their steadfast support."

Senator Chuck Schumer said, "I am proud to deliver this once-in-a-generation investment for Binghamton, the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes, and all of Upstate New York. New Energy New York  will make the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes America's home for battery innovation and production, bring manufacturing back from overseas, and train thousands of workers for good-paying jobs in an industry that will define this century. Broome County was once the global home to innovation, as the birthplace of IBM, flight simulation and virtual reality, and this project will breathe new life into that legacy, showing the world what I have long known: that Binghamton and Upstate New York workers can lead the effort to bring manufacturing back to America, and take us into the future. We just made the largest ever federal investment in clean energy and batteries in the Inflation Reduction Act, electric vehicles are booming, and now Binghamton can seize this opportunity to grow the beating heart of this emerging battery industry right here in Upstate New York. I am proud to have worked hand-in-hand with Professor Whittingham, President Stenger, and the other coalition partners to deliver the federal funding to make this revolutionary project a reality."

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, "This funding represents a significant investment in an innovative collaboration between the world-class researchers at SUNY Binghamton and partners in the Southern Tier's technology ecosystem," said New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. "As I wrote to Secretary Raimondo in March, this funding will strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce the outsourcing of battery production to international companies."

State Senator Fred Akshar said, "This is great news for Binghamton University and a well deserved recognition of all the hard work and dedication put in by President Stenger and his entire team to cement BU as a world-class institution and global leader in state of-the-art energy storage innovations. The future is looking brighter for BU and for our community."

Assemblymember Donna Lupardo said, "I would like to sincerely thank the NENY team and all our government partners for bringing this project to fruition. This award will be a game changer for the university, our local economy, and for our clean energy future. This is exactly what we hoped would happen when the Innovative Technologies Complex was first proposed many years ago."

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said, "With this project we are entering the future, one where we create a new legacy for our economy and our community. Between the research, manufacturing, and distribution that will take place, we have the opportunity to put thousands of people to work in Broome County. Thank you to Governor Hochul, Binghamton University and its NENY team, and all our partners for making this a reality."  

Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chair Judy McKinney Cherry, Executive Director, Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development and Broome Community College President Dr. Kevin Drumm, "This project further supports the regional council approach that encourages economic development partnerships, demonstrating that it is working.  This project aligns perfectly with the region's strategic plan by utilizing academia in support of private industry for economic development and spurring next-generation technology. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Binghamton University as we work together to attract investment, create new jobs and train the workforce of tomorrow, while growing and strengthening the Southern Tier economy today."

Accelerating Southern Tier Soaring    

Today's announcement complements "Southern Tier Soaring," the region's comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on attracting a talented workforce, growing business and driving innovation. Now, the region is accelerating Southern Tier Soaring with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative. The State's $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion - and the region's plan, as submitted, projects up to 10,200 new jobs. More information is available here.   

About Empire State Development    

Empire State Development is New York's chief economic development agency (www.esd.ny.gov). The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing the Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of "I LOVE NEW YORK," the State's iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.    

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY's 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.3 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2021, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit suny.edu.

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