Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the launch of a new state-of-the-art facility in Western New York aimed at supporting manufacturing sector growth and economic development opportunities in the region. Another component of the Buffalo Billion initiative, the Advanced Manufacturing Institute will provide applied engineering services and support to help local industry develop more efficient and competitive operational processes.
The Institute will be operated by non-profit engineering services R&D company, EWI, and founding members include Praxair, Sherex Fastening Solutions, The InVentures Group, and Jiffy-tite Company. The Institute includes technology focus areas which are: Flexible Automation and Controls, Advanced Materials and Testing, Additive Manufacturing, and Advanced Fabrication. Industry demand for technology services in each area will drive the building phases of the Institute’s technical capabilities. Particular emphasis is being placed on new product and process development in the region’s growth sectors which include advanced manufacturing, machinery, food processing, chemicals, medical devices and pharmaceuticals.
The Advanced Manufacturing Institute is one of the signature initiatives of the Buffalo Billion investment development plan. An $8 million Buffalo Billion grant from Empire State Development (ESD) allowed the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC) to purchase the building, located at 847 Main Street in Buffalo, which will house the. BNMC will provide space to house EWI for their start-up operations at no cost per the agreement and New York State will invest $45 million of the Buffalo Billion toward machinery, equipment, future facility needs and operations.
The Institute will establish its final name prior to the start of operations later this year.