Rome, NY – Griffiss Institute President & CEO Heather Hage today announced that the organization has been named Business of the Year by the Rome Area Chamber of Commerce. Since 2002, the Griffiss Institute has been a staple of the Rome business community, enabling collaboration between corporate, defense, and academic partners for economic development.
“I am consistently humbled and overwhelmed by the positive energy that runs like a current through the business community here in Rome,” said Hage. “We all know that this renaissance in our region is really happening, and we are all so fortunate to be here, and now, to be part of it. Our board of directors, our leadership team, and every staff member at the Griffiss Institute and Innovare Advancement Center are committed to our intrinsic partnership with the City of Rome and the economic vitality of our region.”
Patricia Baskinger, Griffiss Institute, Chair of the Board “This was a banner year for Griffiss Institute CEO, Ms. Heather Hage, and her staff. The achievements have surpassed our goals and have put the GI on a path to lead the Mohawk Valley in new economic development initiatives in Quantum, Cyber, AI and UAS, as well as the development and training for the needed future workforce to expand this evolving ecosystem.”
William Guglielmo, President of Rome Area Chamber of Commerce “The Annual Business Meeting provides an opportunity for the Chamber leadership to acknowledge significant accomplishments by members of our organization. Today, we were honored to be able to congratulate the Griffiss Institute and four other members for the work they do to keep our local economy strong and growing.”
Since January 2021, the Griffiss Institute has welcomed over 3,800 visitors to Innovare Advancement Center in Rome. This summer alone, over 400 visiting researchers, student interns, entrepreneurs and STEM campers have taken up residency at Innovare, to work collaboratively with the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate (Rome Labs). Frequent opportunities to participate in events are open to the community through the Innovare Elevation Series, connecting local experts through events such as Coffee & Concepts, Lunch & Learns, Ask Me Anything segments, and more. Potential partners interested in working with the Griffiss Institute and Innovare Advancement Center can learn more at www.griffissinstitute.org.
About the Griffiss Institute
The Griffiss Institute aims to develop the next generation of STEM talent and defense technologies that will strengthen U.S. national security and create economic opportunity for our region, state and nation.
We elevate talent, we empower innovation, and we enable experience. The GI is proud to power its international network of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs from its home at Innovare Advancement Center’s state-of-the-art facilities in New York’s picturesque Mohawk Valley.
About the Rome Area Chamber of Commerce
The Rome Area Chamber of Commerce is funded by businesses, professional firms, organizations, and individuals who recognize the importance of having a business advocacy and community promotion group in place to encourage economic growth in Rome. The Chamber is not a part of government – its board of directors, committees, and many members volunteer their time, talent, and resources for the betterment of our community.