Defense bill could bring $25 million

Rochester Business Journal

By Tom Adams

Rochester area firms and organizations are earmarked to receive nearly $25 million in defense spending.

Some $9.5 million in defense funding is targeted for QED Technologies Inc., Dimension Technologies Inc. and the Center for Optics Manufacturing at the University of Rochester, officials said. The funding is part of a U.S. Department of Defense appropriations bill for 2006 expected to be passed next week by the House of Representatives, said Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-Perinton.

QED Technologies would get $4 million to produce machinery that makes precise and complex surfaces for defense systems. Dimension Technologies would get $3 million to develop ultra-high resolution display technology.

The Center for Optics Manufacturing would receive $2.5 million to help identify and attack manufacturing cost drivers and technology shortfalls in defense weapons systems.

Rep. John Kuhl, R-Hammondsport, also announced funding for local efforts. They include $4.5 million for the Infotonics Technology Center Inc. in Canandaigua for photonics research; $3 million for the defense modernization program at Rochester Institute of Technology; $3 million for ITT Industries Inc.’s Space Systems Division for classified imaging technology for defense surveillance purposes; $1.65 million for Impact Technologies LLC in Rochester for research into intelligent aircraft engine development; and $3 million for the General Motors Fuel Cell Activities Center in Honeoye Falls for research and development of fuel cell technology for non-tactical military vehicles.

The spending plans require the approval of the House, Senate and President George Bush.