Molinaro, second from right, is given a tour of the Spectral Systems
facilities on Wednesday
POUGHKEEPSIE – Spectral Systems LLC, a manufacturer of precision
infrared optics is staying in Dutchess County thanks to a collaboration
of business and government agencies.
The collaboration, spearheaded by Dutchess County Assistant County Executive Ronald Hicks, brought Spectral Systems together with Dutchess Community College, the Mid-Hudson Regional Development Council, and T-SEC, a non-profit group of local industry executives that are working to revive the regional manufacturing industry to keep several high-tech jobs in Dutchess County that were at risk of being relocated to Connecticut.
Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro touted the collaboration saying “this is a great example of our Think Dutchess Alliance for Business working together to expand our high-tech economy. This project retains and creates jobs, and provides regional businesses and students access to high-tech equipment.”
According to Carl Meyer, president, and CEO of T-SEC, manufacturers often lack the financial backing to purchase costly, highly specialized manufacturing equipment that is needed to improve an existing product or develop a new one.
That is where T-SEC offers assistance. By working with the Empire State Development Council and the SUNY 2020 Grant Program, T-SEC has made key equipment purchases and has had the equipment placed at specific manufacturing facilities or local community colleges, benefitting both the students and the manufacturers. Spectral Systems LLC is one of the benefactors of such a purchase. Several pieces of equipment were placed at their facility to not only improve their product line but also helping them to grow their market share and create new jobs.
Spectral Systems LLC and T-SEC will work with Dutchess Community College as part of T-SEC’s SMARTT Lab Program to utilize the equipment, provide hands-on research and training opportunities, including internships for DCC students. SMARTT Labs makes manufacturing equipment available for use on a first come, first served basis by manufacturers, students, and faculty. T-SEC recently worked with DCC to create a fit-up metrology test lab with funding from the SUNY 2020 program.
