9/19/2012 8:28:52 AM

Times Union: Nanotech makes U.S. job-creation special

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ALBANY — With job creation a major issue in this year's elections, a CNN special this weekend will examine how companies and governments are coming up with ways to grow jobs domestically. The program includes a look at the nanotechnology initiative that has added thousands of jobs in the Capital Region.

"Global Lessons: Putting America to Work" will debut at 8 p.m. Sunday on CNN, and will air on CNN International at 9 p.m. Oct. 6.

In the program, CNN's and Time's Fareed Zakaria visits Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea and Dubai, as well as Albany, Chicago and Charlotte, N.C.

In the United States, a brief look at a failed initiative with Solyndra Corp. segues into the success of New York's investment in its state university system, particularly the University at Albany.

"They had seen the CBS segment (highlighting Albany Nanotech) and were following the story," said Alain Kaloyeros, senior vice president and chief executive officer of UAlbany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering. "I think the President's visit catalyzed their interest."

President Barack Obama visited the campus earlier this year and told reporters that "I want what's happening in Albany to happen in the rest of the country."

The $1 billion in public funds that were invested leveraged another $13 billion in private funds from 300 companies. And while no public money went to those companies, they've created a workforce that statewide earns $1.4 billion annually, the program reports.

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