Senator Kirsten Gillibrand toured the University of Rochester's Laboratory of Laser Energetics. Leaders of the LLE are looking for more federal dollars to support their operations.
Gillibrand has previously demonstrated support for the lab by writing to the Senate Appropriations Committee. She says the UR laser lab can directly spur private sector economic growth and innovation.
"What sets this lab apart from the national labs is, they can have customers come here from all over the world that can test their technologies, but they don't have access to our national labs because they're national labs."
The senator says Rochester is an asset to the community.
"Here in Rochester, it is creating new companies, new jobs, more economic growth, and it's a critical asset for the area's optics, photonics, and imaging industry."
Gillibrand says it's also a national resource, fostering innovation and development for the national defense industry as well as private companies.
