ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer of New York 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 ahead of the official announcement.

New York's congressional delegation has lobbied for the center 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.

Photonics involves the use of light in lasers, telecommunications and other technology. Next-generation photonics is expected to improve Internet networks, medical technology and the radar and battlefield imaging used in national defense.