Voices: Senator Schumer delivers $2M to Support & Prepare CNY Ahead of Micron Project
Central New York has a generational opportunity to become a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing and supply chain development. Preparing for Micron’s investment, attracting its supply chain and supporting existing businesses requires both significant partnerships and investments. With that in mind, I am excited to share that, thanks to the tireless efforts of U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, CenterState CEO will receive a $2 million of federal funding via the recently passed federal appropriations legislation, to help the region advance this critical work. Within the next decade, when Micron has just two of its four fabs up and operating, one in four American-made chips will be produced within 350 miles of the Upstate Semiconductor Corridor. No other area of the country will account for a greater share of domestic production. We are particularly grateful to Senator Schumer for his leadership on the CHIPS and Science Act, which set the vision and opportunity for this transformative opportunity into action. Furthermore, we are proud to be recognized, through this investment, for our ability to lead the nation in this critical sector. This is a clear validation of the strategy we set forth to advance our region’s core capabilities and existing assets to meet future demand. It will enhance our ability to compete on a global stage and provide us resources to help existing Central New York businesses gain access to the growing semiconductor market so that they are rewarded for their long-term loyalty to this region. It further doubles down on our recent Tech Hubs designation and reinforces the importance of Central New York’s growing advanced manufacturing industry to our national security. CenterState CEO will use this funding to prepare local businesses, with a focus on minority, women, and/ or veteran owned, to access procurement and other business opportunities related to Micron’s planned $100 billion investment. This will empower these local businesses to add new jobs, make new capital investments, and generate new business. We will also work with local partners to promote procurement opportunities to regional businesses and identity specific procurement opportunities that local businesses may be suited to fulfill, ranging from construction trades and high-tech manufacturing to industrial laundry services, catering and more. The funding will also support efforts to attract and provide soft landing services to Micron’s supply chain companies that are looking to locate in this region, helping them connect with local and state incentives, coordinate with local workforce development collaboratives, and identify and target real estate in areas that are accessible to underserved workers and need economic revitalization. The moment we are in requires us to move faster and take on more than ever before. Therefore, we are keenly focused on attracting more resources to support our community’s capacity to rise to the moment. This investment and other federal programs like Tech Hubs, ongoing support from our state and local partners, and an increasing engagement from corporate sponsors and philanthropic partners are all part of our strategy to ensure Central New York is properly resourced to maximize this opportunity. Together, we will continue to execute a strategy that is going to reshape our economic landscape and our nation’s economic competitiveness, while vaulting Upstate New York into an entirely new tier of criticality to our country’s future. Thank you to our members and partners who have supported our vision to create a region where business thrives, and all people prosper, and to Senator Schumer for his leadership, vision and belief in our ability to lead in this critical moment. Robert M. Simpson President & CEO
