Hudson Valley initiative brings 3D printing cluster to New York

3D printing—otherwise known as additive manufacturing—is coming to the Hudson Valley in New York in a big way. The Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. (HVEDC) announced in May that it has embarked on a third, major cluster marketing initiative in addition to the NY BioHud Valley and Hudson Valley Food & Beverage Alliance. The HVEDC expects that the 3D printing initiative will grow to be the largest of the three clusters.

HVEDC President and CEO Laurence P. Gottlieb formally launched the organization's new Hudson Valley 3D Printing initiative, which puts together in one place educational and funding resources for Hudson Valley businesses or individuals, wanting 3D printing technology.

Hudson Valley Advanced Manufacturing Center

"[The] Hudson Valley 3D Printing initiative is bringing together business people with academia and community leadership to rapidly accelerate the growth of one of the most exciting technologies to emerge this century," said Gottlieb at the HVEDC's 'Next Big Thing' breakfast series hosted by SUNY New Paltz.

Ulster County businessman and HVEDC board member Sean Eldridge is spearheading a $1 million dollar investment to create manufacturing jobs and spark economic growth in the Hudson Valley. The initiative will include a $250,000 investment from Eldridge, as well as a three-year matching grant from Central Hudson Gas & Electric (a founding member of HVEDC) to create the Hudson Valley Advanced Manufacturing Center at SUNY New Paltz.

The Center will bring state-of-the-art 3D printing equipment to the region, as well as the expertise and curriculum needed to provide students with hands-on training in this growing industry, as provided by SUNY New Paltz. A new certificate program will be established to help prepare students for jobs that incorporate 3D printing, said the HVEDC in a release.

The impact of the Hudson Valley Advanced Manufacturing Center will extend beyond SUNY New Paltz, as the region's community colleges will have access to the Center for training and use of the equipment, so they can design, test and create new products and manufacturing processes. As the center grows, local businesses will be able to rent the state-of-the-art 3D printing equipment to create prototypes and grow their businesses.

In addition to the Advanced Manufacturing Center, Eldridge is committing up to $500,000 for investments in Hudson Valley companies that incorporate 3D printing in their businesses to help grow this new industry. The investments will be made through Eldridge's Kingston-based investment fund, Hudson River Ventures.

"3D printing has tremendous potential to grow our economy and create jobs in the Hudson Valley," said Eldridge. "There is a great tradition of innovative manufacturing in the Hudson Valley. We have skilled workers, world-class universities, access to the largest markets in the world - and now we will have the equipment, the training and the investment to lead the charge on 3D printing. I want to thank SUNY New Paltz, Central Hudson, and the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation for partnering with me on this exciting project to bring this revolutionary technology to our region."

Steven V. Lant, chairman of HVEDC and chairman and CEO of Central Hudson Gas & Electric, said, "Central Hudson Gas & Electric is proud to support the Hudson Valley Advanced Manufacturing Center at SUNY New Paltz with our investment. The new state-of-the-art printing equipment will help provide students with the exciting, new and necessary skills to advance in this growing field, and create opportunities for entrepreneurs to launch or expand their businesses."

Gottlieb added in a prepared statement, "Because of this coordinated effort, students will be challenged and grow in a new, dynamic industry, and entrepreneurs will have a willing business entity with financial resources if they are utilizing 3D technology in their businesses."

Attempts to find out the types of 3D printing the initiative would be offering were unsuccessful, and calls and e-mails to Gottlieb and the PR agency were not returned. However, the group did work with Stratasys Ltd., according to Sharon Smith, vp of marketing for Stratasys, who presented at the event.