The U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded a phase two Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hub) grant of $40 million to the New York Semiconductor Manufacturing and Research Technology Innovation Corridor (NY SMART-I Corridor) consortium. The consortium comprises the Western NY, Finger Lakes, and Central NY regions and is convened by the Buffalo-Niagara Partnership, ROC2025, and CenterState CEO respectively.
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer Schumer said this prestigious and highly competitive federal investment will supercharge Upstate NY to build out its workforce training initiatives, strengthen existing manufacturing and innovation, and help attract new supply chains from the billions in private and federal semiconductor investment the Senator has helped bring to the region, helping ensure this industry that is critical to our nation’s future, and that once was being lost to overseas, now is not just made in America, but made in Upstate NY.
“This is a monumental victory for the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse region as the first major Tech Hub award in the nation, bringing a whopping $40 million from my CHIPS & Science Law. With this major investment, the feds are shining a national spotlight, and confirming what I have long known, that America’s semiconductor future runs through the heart of Upstate NY along the I-90 corridor.,” said Senator Schumer. “From the fields near Syracuse that will become Micron’s massive mega-fab to the cutting-edge research labs in Rochester and workers learning these manufacturing skills in Buffalo, this award helps connect the region to seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity and establish Upstate NY as the heart of America’s semiconductor industry. I created the Tech Hubs competition with Upstate NY in mind, and pulled out all the stops to win this award –first proposing this program in my Endless Frontier Act, then passing it into law as part of my CHIPS & Science Act, making the case to bring the region together, advocating at the highest levels and delivering the transformational investment to make today possible. It’s never been more clear: the heart of America’s semiconductor industry runs along the I-90 corridor in Upstate NY!”
The $40 million in Tech Hubs funding will go towards specific component projects that aim to solve the growth challenges the region would otherwise face over the coming decade and ensure that growth is translated to all members of our communities. Specifically, the component project efforts will be led by Monroe Community College, the University at Buffalo (UB), and Syracuse University, all of which will be coordinating across the region to bolster workforce training initiatives, help elevate local supply chain companies, create a collaborative ecosystem for semiconductor R&D commercialization. According to the proposal, by the end of the decade, 25% of all chips produced in the United States will be manufactured within 350 miles of this Tech Hub, – with no other region in the nation accounting for a greater share of microchip production.
“With this transformative federal grant, New York is taking another major leap toward building Chips Country in our state,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “This award will help to bring the next generation of semiconductor research, manufacturing, and workforce training upstate and unlock even more funding – on top of our other state investments – to attract chipmaking businesses and jobs. From Micron’s historic investment to our first-in-the-nation chips research center in Albany, New York is all in on semiconductors and I thank the Biden administration, Majority Leader Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, and Congressman Morelle for ensuring we remain competitive in the global race for chips business.”
“With this additional investment into the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse corridor and its designation as a Regional Technology and Innovation Hub, our region will be at the forefront of innovative advancements benefiting our nation, and the world,” said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. “This funding will onshore critical parts of our nation’s supply chain, bringing jobs to our communities and promoting technological advancement. I am eager to see the positive impact this funding will have on our community.”
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