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Assemblyman Brian Kolb Underscores Value of ITC

Canandaigua, NY, July 2006

When Brian Kolb, Assemblyman from New York State's 129 th District, visited the Infotonics Center of Technology (ITC) recently, he was asked what kind of support the States' Centers of Excellence might expect from the next New York governor—the candidate to be elected this fall.

"If the gubernatorial candidates were here today and heard and saw what I did during my visit," Kolb said, "I think they would make this kind of visionary approach part of their own vision for the State. Quite frankly, ITC is ‘living proof’ of the type of investment in science and technology that makes sense."

Kolb serves on the Assembly's Manufacturing Task Force, which recognizes that the traditional definition of "manufacturing" is in transition. "When most people think of manufacturing, they think about a factory or metal fabrication or assembly work," he said. "But ITC demonstrates the ‘new frontier’ of manufacturing. It's a great example of where technology is going in the future—not only in New York State and the United States, but throughout the world."

Kolb remembers his own days as an entrepreneur, working with three partners some years ago to begin a business. That means he can relate to the start-ups that have already benefited by a shared-use resource like Infotonics.

"When we started our business," Kolb recalled, "of course, we needed some financial help. But we also needed assistance with manufacturing in the days before we were able to develop our own capabilities. I liken that experience to what's available here at ITC—where an entrepreneur can get the assistance needed to move an idea to the point of commercialization. It's similar to the type of manufacturing help I needed, but to a much higher degree of sophistication."

Going forward, he sees "awareness" as a key issue for all of the Centers of Excellence. "We need to continue to educate our elected representatives on both sides of the aisle, as well as the business community, as to what a great investment these Centers are for our future. Then it becomes an ‘easy sell.’ People need to understand the rationale behind this kind of public-private partnership that ultimately will drive our economic engine in New York State."

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