The AIM Photonics Institute says its first business customer will move in next month as its first facility goes active in Rochester — a year behind schedule.
Companies interested in developing photonics technologies and products can use the so-called TAP facility for its clean rooms and lab space, and its ready access to area universities and people who understand the light-based technologies.
Officials originally spoke of creating 6,000 new jobs in Rochester, but at the TAP facility’s rollout yesterday, they were more circumspect. Officials including AIM Photonics CEO Michael Liehr said developing photonics jobs in Rochester will depend on luring the companies that use the TAP facilities to locate their companies and their manufacturing here.
Photonics critic Mark Assini, the former Gates Town Supervisor, says he filed a Freedom of Information request for the AIM Photonics business plan and was told it didn’t exist. Assini says that means the “6,000 jobs” figure was pulled out of thin air.