But the match can be from cash or in-kind services such as a contract to a professor or equipment at its depreciated value. CATs are cooperative research centers formed by partnerships among univer sities, private industry and government. Founding members of Binghamton's center included IBM Federal Systems, the former GE Aerospace System and Uni versal Instruments. These members provide us financial support, but if the state believes CATs are so valuable that industry will pay for it all, it's mis taken. Large companies won't do that.
Economic development is the prime reason for the CATs to exist.
The economic impact is best illustrated by comments from IEEC clients, who have been quick to join the effort to reverse the governor's recommendation. Molly Lane, the liaison between the IEEC and small businesses, said she fears the funding cuts in funding will shut the door on several projects. These companies are doing everything they can to be competitive and we do all of the things they can't afford to do on their own. John Fillo, associate dean for research of the Watson School, is worried as well. According to Kroger, loss of state funding will affect the number of graduate research assistants the IEEC can support.