MARCY, N.Y. - This new technology program has received backing from both the Governor and members of the State Assembly. It will actually be a cross-regional partnership where SUNY IT will work hand in hand with the University of Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, and the idea certainly has many excited for future growth in the Mohawk Valley.

"This is an epic moment for the Empire State and the Mohawk Valley," said SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher.

Sentiments echoed by many on this stage Wednesday. The announcement that SUNY IT will soon house a quote-unquote clean room used for nanotechnologies has many thinking New York could soon be at the forefront of technology.

"We will move to the head of the class and New York will once again be the place that everybody else comes to, not only for research and technology, but for jobs and to operate businesses," said Governor David Paterson.

The site for 200,000 square foot building has already been chosen and is shovel ready. Both Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver worked to make this project a reality because they feel it will bring more jobs to upstate New York.

"To bring the nanotechnology industry, nanotech companies, and nanotech jobs into the Mohawk Valley," said Sheldon.

"This my friends, will truly transform the economy of the Mohawk Valley and upstate New York and it does have the potential of creating 475 new high tech jobs when all of our building is complete," said Destito.

As for the completion Destito is talking about, well that could take about a year and half once construction begins. No exact date has yet been set, but college officials are aiming for the first part of 2010.

There have been talks about a full nanotech center in Marcy, does this change that in anyway?

That idea is still strong for many leaders in this area, and from those I spoke with today, they're hoping that having this program at SUNY IT will help improve chances of getting a Nanotech Center in the future.