Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC) has been named a Gold Award recipient by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The award recognizes the HVEDC’s Hudson Valley 3D Printing (HV3D) cluster development initiative, which includes major digital design and fabrication facilities housed at SUNY New Paltz.
HV3D, launched in 2013, focuses on increasing Hudson Valley residents’ access to and engagement with 3D printing facilities and education. The initiative was the catalyst for the incorporation of 3D printing into curricula at New Paltz and in helping the College secure a $10 million NYSUNY 2020 Challenge Grant to help establish an Engineering Innovation Hub.
“The widespread impact that the HV3D cluster initiative has had on localized learning and on the SUNY New Paltz campus is undeniable,” said SUNY New Paltz President Don Christian. “Students are responding to increased access to 3D technology, and so, too, are our government leaders. Through the recent grant from Gov. Cuomo, we will be able build upon HV3D’s success to extend and support the Hudson Valley Advanced Manufacturing Center.”
The creation of the nation’s first MakerBot Innovation Center (MIC) for 3D Printing at the College is among the HV3D initiative’s notable achievements. The MIC provides students and local residents with unprecedented access to 3D printing technology, training classes and onsite assistance with digital design and fabrication platforms.
HV3D also played an instrumental role in the development of the Hudson Valley Advanced Manufacturing Center (HVAMC) at SUNY New Paltz, which has been used by students and regional entrepreneurs for a number of design projects, including the creation of a robotic hand and other prosthetics, and prototyping of a wide variety of new and imaginative products.
“For local Hudson Valley businesses to be able to have access to and use such advanced 3D printing technology gives us a competitive edge in the way we conduct and market our companies,” said Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro. “Since the launch of the HVAMC, a large number of businesses – many from Dutchess County – have become clients of the 3D design and fabrication services offered by the Center.”
The IEDC is the largest non-profit membership organization serving economic developers. Each year it presents its Excellence in Economic Development Awards to the world’s best economic development programs, partnerships, marketing materials and leaders. HVEDC received the Gold Award in the category of Regionalism and Cross-Border Collaboration for Population Centers Greater Than 500,000.
“We are incredibly honored and humbled to have the HV3D initiative internationally recognized by such a prestigious institution, especially when you consider we were competing against some of the largest population centers in the country,” said HVEDC President and CEO Laurence P. Gottlieb. “This award is for all of the HV3D partners who continue investing in the future of the Hudson Valley, as we collectively work towards building a technologically advanced regional workforce that will fortify the area economy against future economic downturns.”
About New Paltz’s 3D Printing Initiative
The Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation and SUNY New Paltz launched the HV3D initiative in May 2013 with critical financial support from Hudson River Ventures and Central Hudson Gas & Electric. The College’s new Hudson Valley Advanced Manufacturing Center, which has emerged as a central component of this initiative, combines state-of-the-art 3D printing equipment with the campus’ academic expertise in the fine arts, computer science, technology, and engineering. To learn more visit http://www.newpaltz.edu/hvamc/.
