In a story in Wednesday’s Daily Sentinel, officials explored Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plan to help communities across the state construct 800,000 new residences. To illustrate the story, we published numerous photos of new housing units currently under construction in the Mohawk Valley — which clearly show the progress the region has made in its economic development.

While some of this progress is new, much of it is the result of slow, steady and meticulous work over the past two decades to position the region for growth, particularly in emerging technologies.

We are excited about the possibilities of Uncrewed Aerial Systems, of which the region is at the cutting edge at the Griffiss International Airport and surrounding business and technology park.

Similarly, Wolfspeed and its silicon carbide microchips hold immense possibilities for the region as its Marcy chipfab plant powers up.

There are a host of additional projects and developments throughout the region, including the revitalization of downtown Utica, that bode well for the area’s future.

But do not overlook the past — and future — importance of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Information Directorate, otherwise known as Rome Lab, which has been not only a national treasure with its development of cutting-edge technology for the Air Force and nation but a key driver of the area’s economy with an economic impact in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

According to the U.S. Air Force’s 2020 economic impact analysis, Rome Lab employed over 1,200 workers with an annual payroll of $150 million and generated over $500 million in regional economic activity.

Moreover, employees at Rome Lab have long-established roots in the community. They — and their families — are, in short, our friends, neighbors, youth sports
coaches, church trustees, customers and the like.

On Wednesday, officials at Rome Lab announced the addition of three area residents to its Civic Leader Program — RoAnn M. Destito, a former Assemblymember and state Office of General Services commissioner; Rome Mayor Jacqueline M. Izzo; and Steven J. DiMeo, president of Mohawk Valley EDGE.

The program’s goal is to help civic leaders better understand the AFRL and Air Force mission to help them better advocate for the service in multiple areas within their respective community roles.

“Public trust and community support are vital to a strong military installation,” said Col. Fred Garcia, II, AFRL Information Directorate commander. “Many of our airmen, science and technical staff and their families work and live in Rome. ... The local community affects every aspect of our daily lives. The Civic Leader Program enables a healthy relationship between the base and the local area. It is an integral piece of our overall community outreach efforts, and their perspectives and expertise will help strengthen our joint war-fighting team.”

This year’s civic leaders are excellent ambassadors for the community — known leaders in their respective areas — and staunch advocates for the area and its future.

We are confident that they, through their willingness to participate in the Civic Leader Program, Destito, Izzo and DiMeo not only understand the need to preserve Rome Lab — but also to help the lab continue to grow and thrive.

We are equally hopeful that the trio will continue to push our state and federal officials and leadership to continue to invest in Rome Lab and help position it for the future. We are grateful for the continued support of Rome Lab and its mission by U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who have helped secure tens of millions of federal dollars for the lab in addition to its typically operations budget.

In discussing this year’s Civic Leader Program participants, Michael Hayduk, deputy director of AFRL Information Directorate, alluded to some less prosperous times for the region to highlight Rome Lab’s continued importance.

“Each individual was a great choice, and they have seen it all here in Rome,” Hayduk said. “They went through the BRAC process of Griffiss AFB in 1995 to stand up the Information Directorate as a lab for the Air Force and the redevelopment of our local area with so many new projects that make Rome a great home for AFRL. These three individuals are ardent supporters of AFRL’s mission and will be great representatives of the community in this program.”

We agree, with one small caveat. While we all can’t serve in the Civic Leader Program, we all can, and should, be strong advocates for Rome Lab and its continued local presence.