NEW PALTZ, N.Y., May 31 (UPI) -- A $1 million New York state college program in 3-D printing is envisioned to spawn a high-technology cluster in the field, a business group's chief said.
"We feel that there are so many people that are right on the edge of using 3-D technology that we can pull these people into a cluster, offer a hub which will be [the State University of New York at] New Paltz, where they can learn how to use the technology, and also to allow entrepreneurs to come in and hopefully have spinoff businesses," Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. President Laurence Gottlieb said at a "Next Big Thing" breakfast series at the university.
The Hudson Valley Advanced Manufacturing Center at SUNY New Paltz will offer the state's first certificate program in the emerging field, college President Donald Christian said, building on the college's "strengths in the arts and in engineering and technology."
Three-dimensional printing involves creating solid objects, from a steak knife, a replacement screw or a chair, to automobile parts and medical equipment, with the push of a keypad.
It may sound extraordinary, but it's actually an evolutionary step from spraying toner on copy paper.
The printers, whose prices have dropped to as little as $1,000, print objects by spraying thin layers of plastic, metal or ceramics that are built up into shapes. They are ushering in a new era by letting people create objects of any shape, on the spot and as needed, officials at the college said Thursday.
Venture capitalist Sean Eldridge said he would donate $250,000 to the 3-D undertaking and his Hudson River Ventures LLC small-business investment fund would invest $500,000. Utility Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. said it would match Eldridge's personal donation.
"There is no question that this technology is on the rise and that it is changing manufacturing forever," Eldridge said, adding he hoped it would boost the suburban-exurban Hudson Valley economy north of New York City.
"Although there is no silver bullet for economic growth in the Hudson Valley, 3-D printing has tremendous potential to grow our economy, spark innovation and create jobs," he said.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a program last week to create "tax-free communities" around public and private colleges and universities statewide.
Businesses that cluster around and partner with the higher-education institutions would be free from all state tax obligations for 10 years if they create new jobs, Cuomo said at SUNY New Paltz May 23.
"No business tax, no sales tax, no property tax, no franchise fee and no income tax for the owner of the company or the employees of the company," he said in remarks quoted by Mid-Hudson News Network.
Cuomo's proposal must be approved by the state Legislature.
