Syracuse University will play a key role in the development of what is being described as a “semiconductor superhighway.” The University is part of a consortium of industry, workforce training and economic development organizations, and other higher education institutions in Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo to compete for—and ultimately earn—designation as a Regional Tech Hub. The designation means the region will be eligible for new funding authorized under the federal government’s CHIPS and Science Act for research and development in the semiconductor industry and training the next generation workforce.
The creation of the NY SMART I-Corridor is expected to attract new companies to the “next frontier” of research and development in the region, says U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who advocated for the funding legislation, says the creation of the NY SMART I-Corridor will attract new companies to the “next frontier” of research and development in the region. Schumer says the region was one of only 31 selected from hundreds of applications from across the United States.
“This 3 region Tech Hub will hit the gas on New York’s booming chips industry by attracting new companies, training our workforce for tens of thousands of good-paying jobs, and bringing manufacturing in this critical industry back from overseas to right here in Upstate NY,” says Schumer in announcing the designation. “I pulled out all the stops to land this Tech Hub Designation for my great home state—making the case that bringing together these three cities and giving them the resources to combine forces would create an unstoppable engine that will rev the region’s industries to life and make Upstate New York a global center for semiconductors.”
“This designation represents another significant step forward for the Central New York community as partners from around the state and region work to propel our position as an economic and technology incubator,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “I am grateful to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and all our elected officials for their relentless efforts to strengthen, transform and advance the economic prosperity and vitality of our region. Syracuse University is proud to support this Tech Hub designation and looks forward to our continued collaboration with partners throughout the state and in Central New York.”
The CHIPS and Science Act included a $10 billion authorization for the Tech Hubs program. With the new designation, the NY SMART I-Corridor will now be able to compete for $50 to $75 million to be invested in a handful of designated hubs. The ultimate goal is to spur innovation focused on improving the quality and quantity of semiconductor manufacturing and amplify the region’s microelectronics and microchip supply chain ecosystem, including bringing new suppliers from overseas into the region and ensuring that underserved populations are connected to the thousands of good-paying jobs expected to be created.
“True innovation is never a solo endeavor. Along with Micron Technology’s historic investment in this region and the creation of the Northeast University Semiconductor Network, Syracuse University will play a pivotal role in fostering the talent, developing the skill sets, and inspiring the entrepreneurial spirit in the workforce of the future,” says J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation. “Collaborative initiatives like this one are essential to the short- and long-term prosperity, vitality and growth of the City of Syracuse and Central New York, and will most especially positively impact our region’s people and economy.”
“This is an exciting time for Syracuse University’s talented faculty scholars,” says Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Gretchen Ritter. “Our faculty stands ready to work with our partners and take on the challenges so critical to our nation and the next generation of pioneers in the semiconductor and related industries. The ability to tap into other great scientific minds, to align research and skills development for a common purpose, and to collectively bring necessary resources to a critical need is significantly magnified in a strategic partnership like the NY SMART I-Corridor consortium.”
“With many extraordinary partners, we are witnessing a remarkable change in mindset from competition to collaboration to solve our nation’s generational challenges in economic and national security,” says Duncan Brown, vice president for research. “As part of the NY SMART I-Corridor Syracuse University is working with universities across the region to pursue new opportunities for research and innovation for our students and industrial partners. Driven by Senator Schumer’s CHIPS and Science Act investments, Central and Western New York are more united in meeting these challenges than we have been in a generation. We look forward to collaborating with our regional partners to take the Tech Hub to the next level.”
