AmeriCOM helps position Rochester as hub for defense-grade optics innovation

The Rochester region’s optics and photonics industry is emerging as a critical pillar of America’s defense industrial base.  

With more than 150 companies employing 19,000 people and generating an annual economic impact of $3.5 billion, the sector is uniquely positioned to advance U.S. technological and defense capabilities. 

At the center of this effort is the American Center for Optics Manufacturing (AmeriCOM). 

Based in Fairport, AmeriCOM works alongside industry, academic, government and community partners to strengthen the optics ecosystem on both a regional and national scale.  

Its focus spans three strategic areas: advancing research, scaling manufacturing technologies and building the next-generation workforce. 

Dave Shelton, AmeriCOM CEO, said strengthening the optics and photonics industrial base will secure America’s technological edge, support a growing labor force with reliable career opportunities and bolster our defense capabilities. 

With growing global conflict, “Optics and photonics are now more important than ever,” he said.  

Building a Defense-Ready Optics Supply Chain 

In 2021, AmeriCOM was awarded a five-year, $34 million grant from the Department of Defense’s Office of Industrial Policy to establish the Defense Precision Optics Consortium (DPOC). The consortium unites U.S. government, industry and academic partners to tackle critical issues including: 

• Precision optics manufacturing technology development 
• Supply chain resilience 
• Standards and performance requirements, and
• Education and workforce shortages 

Membership in the consortium is open to U.S.-based optics companies, academic institutions and nonprofit organizations. The shared mission: accelerate commercialization of mission-critical optics technologies to ensure military readiness. 

Innovation at the COM-Lab 

AmeriCOM’s 10,000-square-foot COM-Lab in Fairport provides state-of-the-art optics manufacturing and testing equipment accessible to industry, academia and government partners.  

The facility enables: development of next-generation manufacturing processes, prototyping and proof-of-concept testing prior to large-scale production, and access to the nation’s fastest high-energy laser damage testing service. 

Consortium members and qualified technicians can rent lab time, collaborate with AmeriCOM staff and leverage advanced fabrication and metrology tools to speed innovation. 

Tackling the Workforce Shortage 

Workforce development remains a top priority, as precision optics manufacturers nationwide face a shortage of skilled technicians. AmeriCOM is building a national training network to recruit and prepare talent for the industry. 

To date, AmeriCOM has launched five new workforce development programs, with two more on the way. It is also expanding access to virtual training workshops, aiming to significantly increase the number of technicians trained annually. 

The first two online courses are set to launch from the COM-Lab in late 2025, with additional offerings planned for 2026. 

Bipartisan Support 

Legislative leaders at both the state and federal levels have voiced strong bipartisan support for the optics and photonics industry, citing its strategic importance for both economic growth and national defense. 

U.S. Congressman Joseph Morelle (D-25), spoke of the region’s legacy of innovation in business and its potential to continue to build on that legacy with its capabilities in optics and photonics.  

“Rochester is so well positioned,” he said.  

Added state Sen. Pam Helming (R-54), “We need collaboration to foster innovation.” 

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