Today’s announcement of funding for Alfred University and Alfred State College is exciting news for economic development in Allegany County. The Center for High-Temperature Characterization at Alfred University, and the Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing Center at Alfred State College’s Wellsville Campus, will provide students using these facilities with a world-class education in state-of-the-art practices for advanced manufacturing. Manufacturing remains an integral part of our economy in the Southern Tier, and preparing people of all ages for careers in fields where good-paying jobs are open immediately is an important step in jumpstarting our state’s economy.