Biden-Harris Administration’s Tech Hubs Program Awards Approximately $40 Million to NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub in New York to Strengthen the Region’s Capacity as a Global Leader in End-to-End Semiconductor Manufacturing
Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, edamedia@eda.gov
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), has announced that it is slated to award approximately $40 million to NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub, a consortium led by CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity in New York, to implement four projects that will bolster the region’s ability to scale up the production and delivery of critical technologies that will enable U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing.
In October 2023, NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub was selected as one of 31 Designated Tech Hubs in regions across the country as part of Phase 1 of the new Tech Hubs Program, a flagship initiative aimed at advancing U.S. leadership in critical technologies and industries. The designation is a strong endorsement of the consortium’s regional plan to supercharge its respective critical technology ecosystem and become a global leader over the next decade.
“Every American deserves the opportunity to thrive, no matter where they live. Today’s announcement that the Department of Commerce is investing $504 million in Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs across the country will ensure that the benefits of the industries of the future – from artificial intelligence and clean energy, to biotechnology and more – are shared with communities that have been overlooked for far too long, including rural, Tribal, industrial, and disadvantaged communities,” said Vice President Kamala Harris. “These Tech Hubs will give regions across our nation the resources and opportunities necessary to lead in the economy of tomorrow while creating good-paying jobs for American workers.”
“President Biden has been clear that you shouldn’t have to move to one of a handful of cities to get a good-paying job in tech. Now, thanks to the Tech Hubs program, we’re making good on that sentiment by expanding America’s innovation ecosystem and creating economic opportunity in new technology sectors all over the country,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Thanks to President Biden’s commitment to his Investing in America agenda, the NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub and the other Tech Hub awardees will play a critical role in accelerating America’s leadership in the industries of the future, all while creating high quality, family-sustaining 21st century jobs in people’s backyards.”
As one of 12 Tech Hub Designees selected for implementation funding, NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub will leverage this award to support projects that are:
- Establishing a supply chain network that expands capacity of existing and potential suppliers through scaling manufacturing support;
- Closing critical gaps in upskilling, hiring, and retention of predominantly middle-skilled positions in semiconductor-specific roles through workforce development programs;
- Increasing access to regional semiconductor research and development assets, which will facilitate collaboration across research institutions and stimulate innovation in semiconductor manufacturing and commercialization of new technology;
- Integrating consortium-wide strategy support throughout all components of the Tech Hub to provide management of targeted stakeholder engagement, industry engagement, equity efforts, and stewardship of discretionary impact funding.
The final grant amount will be finalized in the coming months.
The New York Semiconductor Manufacturing and Research Technology Innovation Corridor (NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub) aims to enhance regional semiconductor manufacturing capabilities while ensuring economic opportunity for underserved communities. This Tech Hub will coordinate across the region’s significant semiconductor fabrication investments, adjacent supply chain assets, scientific capabilities coalitions, and partner coalitions to establish an entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem that provides career pathways and employment opportunities to the region’s historically underserved communities. The NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub seeks to shift the trajectory of Upstate New York via the formation of a globally leading semiconductor cluster which designs and delivers semiconductor solutions for the region, the nation, and the world. This effort leverages other recent investments to the region’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem, including an EDA Build Back Better Regional Challenge award from 2022. (Click here to learn more about the NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub)
“The Department of Commerce is laser focused on expanding economic opportunity to every corner of this country,” said Deputy Commerce Secretary Don Graves. “The Tech Hubs program is a commitment to American economic prosperity and success. These 12 awardees embody the innovation and creativity that can be found nationwide, boosting U.S. manufacturing and bolstering U.S. global competitiveness, bringing President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to the forefront.”
“The 31 Tech Hubs Designees exemplify place-based economic development strategies at their best: combining federal resources with regional assets, expertise, and coalitions to implement transformational opportunities,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “We’re excited to see this initial round of implementation funding supporting a surge of new jobs, new technologies, and new energy to bolster America’s competitiveness.”
“With this transformative federal grant, New York is taking another major leap toward building Chips Country in our state,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul. “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.”
“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 New York Senator Chuck 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!”
“With this new $40 million in federal funding, the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse corridor is taking another monumental step toward becoming a global leader in the semiconductor industry – a rapidly growing sector that is critical to our state’s economy and our national security. I’m proud to have fought to pass the CHIPS and Science Act to create this program, and for Tech Hub designation for the BRS Consortium. This landmark award will help attract and retain our nation’s brightest minds, support cutting-edge research, and bring good-paying jobs to Upstate New York to advance U.S. leadership in semiconductor research and manufacturing. I’m grateful that EDA recognizes these Upstate cities are well-suited to leverage their skilled workforces, world-class educational institutions, and demonstrated experience in advanced manufacturing, and I’ll keep fighting to ensure New York State remains a leader in this field,” said New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.
“The approval of the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse Corridor as a Tech Hub for semiconductor research and production is a major step toward revitalizing Western New York’s rich tradition of manufacturing innovation,” said Representative Nick Langworthy (NY-23). “This $40 million federal investment will create high-paying jobs, generate economic growth, and strengthen our national security by reducing reliance on foreign semiconductor manufacturing. With its skilled workforce and proximity to the Micron facility, our region is poised to lead the way in securing our nation's technological future.”
“This historic funding marks a downpayment on an unprecedented period of growth and transformation for our region,” said Representative Joe Morelle (NY-25). “I’m grateful to the Biden Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Raimondo, and the Economic Development Administration for selecting the NY SMART I-Corridor and recognizing the promise upstate New York holds to lead the nation in technological innovation. I look forward to our continued work together to strengthen the future of our economy for decades to come.”
“This game-changing funding will set Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse on a path towards leading our nation to supply chain independence,” said Representative Timothy Kennedy (NY-26). “Thanks to the investment from the EDA, our world-leading universities will have the resources needed to develop a strong workforce, bolster the region’s supply chains, and strengthen semiconductor manufacturing and other innovative industries. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to realize Western New York’s limitless potential for economic prosperity, enabling communities and people to thrive.”
The Tech Hubs Program was authorized by the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, a key part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which he signed into law in August 2022. The statute authorized $10 billion for the program over five years. To date, EDA has been appropriated $541 million for the program.
The United States is the global leader in research and development, and the Tech Hubs Program is designed to increase the capacity and pace with which Americans make, deliver, and deploy innovative technologies, creating new, growing companies and new, good jobs.
Read more about the Tech Hubs program at TechHubs.gov.
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.