Schumer: Feds pick Rochester for big photonics center senator calls 'game-changer' for city

New York Sen. Charles Schumer says the Department of Defense has picked Rochester as the location for a sought-after manufacturing institute focused on the field of photonics.

Schumer says Wednesday he was given the news by two different sources ahead of the official announcement.

New York's congressional delegation has lobbied for placement of the center in Rochester since President Barack Obama's administration launched a competition for it last fall, committing more than $100 million toward development of a photonics "ecosystem."

Schumer calls the project a "game-changer" for Rochester, comparing it to the founding of Kodak in the city more than 100 years ago.

Rep. Louise Slaughter says she won't be celebrating until the official announcement is made. There's no official word yet on when that will be.