ROME — Griffiss Institute was awarded Business of the Year at the Rome Area Chamber of Commerce 110th Anniversary Business Meeting held Tuesday at Lake Delta Inn.

Griffiss Institute President & CEO Heather Hage said 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.”

Griffiss Institute Board Chair Patricia Baskinger said it was a “banner year” for Griffiss Institute, CEO 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,” Baskinger said.

Rome Chamber President William K. Guglielmo, said the annual Business Meeting provides an opportunity for the chamber leadership to acknowledge significant accomplishments by members of the organization.

“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,” said Guglielmo.

Since January 2021, the Griffiss Institute has welcomed more than 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 known as 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.