More federal funding boosts 'revolutionary technology' from Rome Lab
The Air Force Research Lab in Rome is getting some big investment from the federal government — $415 million in fiscal year 2024, the largest amount of funding ever designated for the lab.
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, visited Rome on April 2 and announced the funding during a press conference at the Griffiss Institute with some local officials.
“This goes toward quantum research,” she said in a statement. “This goes toward cyber. This goes to our Counter-UAS (unmanned aircraft systems). So all the emerging technologies, when we consider future national security challenges, we will be leaders right here in Rome.”
“This is a tremendous endorsement at the national level of the incredible work and the unique work that Rome lab does every single day,” Stefanik continued. “We are not only the leader in New York, the leader in the United States of America, but we are a global leader when it comes to these emerging technologies.”
The funding is a boost to the national defense, lab officials said.
"The Air Force Research Laboratory is fully committed to improving critical warfighting technology that not only boosts the morale and well-being of warfighters in the field but also ensures their success and safety," said Michael Hayduk, deputy director of the AFRL Information Directorate. "The funding we receive from Congress is a testament to the tireless efforts of our skilled and dedicated researchers and scientists. This funding is essential as it helps us to bring revolutionary technology into practical, real-world scenarios, ultimately strengthening our national defense."
Local leaders also stressed that what is good for the lab is good for Rome and Oneida County.
“This investment not only fortifies our nation's defense capabilities, but also underscores the vital economic impact this facility has on our city,” Rome Mayor Jeff Lanigan said in a statement. “Congresswoman Stefanik's support ensures that Rome remains a hub for innovation, driving economic growth for our community.”
The lab has twice been targeted by the Base Realignment and Closure, or BRAC, process, both in 1995 and 2005. Local officials quickly organized a defensive strategy to keep the lab in Rome, preserve its local jobs and to use the lab to help develop a high-tech ecosystem in the region.
The lab had an estimated economic impact of $501 million in fiscal year 2020 in Oneida, Herkimer, Madison, Onondaga and Oswego counties, according to the lab. That impact included the lab’s workforce of 838 military and civilian employees that year.
“This is wonderful news for our region,” said Heather Hage, President and CEO of Griffiss Institute, in a statement. "Today’s result demonstrates clearly Congress's unwavering, bipartisan support for AFRL's critical mission in defending our nation's security. Rome Lab is the lead agency for the Department of Defense in quantum research and this tremendous increase shows clearly that investments in QIS are a national priority.
“Such extraordinary support from Congress will enable our region to build a robust quantum industry focused on critical national security applications.”
As the most senior New York representative on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Intelligence, Stefanik was able to secure the funding for the lab with help from local Rep. Brandon Williams, R-Sennett, and other local officials, she said.
Rome does not currently lie within Stefanik’s 21st Congressional District, which includes Herkimer County, part of Otsego County and the North Country. But the state has redrawn the lines for its Congressional districts and in the next election, Stefanik’s district will include Rome and northern Oneida County while southern Oneida County will remain in the 22nd Congressional District, currently represented by Republican Brandon Williams.
Stefanik holds the position of House Republican Conference chair, making her the third highest ranking Republican in the House of Representatives. She is also on former President Donald Trump’s list of potential running mates.
During the press conference, Stefanik also announced legislation that she will be introducing, the Defense Quantum Acceleration Act, which she called important for national security and important for Rome and Oneida County.
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“This bill will supercharge the (U.S. Departmet of Defense’s) approach to quantum information science,” she said, “and create a framework for reaching the first utility-scale, fault tolerant, quantum computer right here in Rome, New York.”
The $415 million for the lab was appropriated in smaller amounts of between $1 million and $25 million for 40 different areas at the laboratory, including photonic chips for quantum computing, a secure quantum computing facility, the internet of living things ecosystem, unmanned aircraft systems traffic management advanced air mobility enhancements, antenna development for secure communications and networks and B-52 agile pod capability.
“This funding will enhance and support the innovative and critical work, research and development that takes place every day at the lab while strengthening this important military asset,” state Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-Rome, said in a statement. “Oneida County and Rome are proud to host AFRL and all the other defense facilities and research partners that call the region home.”