Earlier this month, the Syracuse Post-Standard published commentary by Empire State Development Chief Operating Officer and Executive Deputy Commissioner Kevin Younis, in which he recognizes the critical milestone achieved with public release of Micron’s draft environmental impact statement. Younis outlines the incredible opportunities the $100 billion project – the largest in state history – will deliver for New Yorkers, including 50,000 new jobs, $500 million in direct investment for Central New York, and positive transformation of Upstate’s economy for generations to come. Text of the commentary is available below and can be viewed online here.
Bellevue Avenue, where I grew up, has been on the nation’s “persistent poverty census tracts” for four-and-a-half decades. After generations of economic decline, Bellevue Avenue and neighborhoods across the region are on the precipice of massive economic growth.
Today, we are one step closer to over 50,000 new permanent jobs, tens of thousands of construction jobs, and a growth rate not seen in Central New York since the 1950s.
Over the past several years, Gov. Kathy Hochul has charged me with leading the state’s efforts in the semiconductor industry. I helped negotiate Micron Technology’s investment, and my colleagues and I are working tirelessly to support its execution and to ensure that its benefits are felt by all Central New Yorkers.
As a guy who grew up running the streets on the South Side, in the depths of the Rust Belt years, to be at the center of this incredible transformation has been the highest honor of my career.
Last week, Micron released their Draft Environmental Impact Statement, clearing a major milestone towards realizing their $100 billion investment in Central New York. This release is more than a box to check: It is a detailed demonstration of the incredible opportunities this project will deliver for Central New Yorkers and our communities.
This wouldn’t have been possible without Micron, the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency, and the U.S. Commerce Department, who jointly prepared this statement. Their report is the result of what is likely the most thorough analyses ever conducted for a project in state history. Its scale and scope fits with the transformative potential of Micron’s investment.
The impact of Micron’s investment is nearly impossible to overstate. This project will likely return the population of Onondaga County to its 1970s levels and add $5.4 billion in real disposable income for everyday New Yorkers annually.
This investment will reshape the economic trajectory of this region, and the state. Over the next two decades, tens of thousands of construction workers will build Micron’s 16 million square foot facility in Clay. When this complete, Micron’s megafab will be the largest chip making complex in the nation.
After decades of stagnation, the region’s population is expected to increase. Micron’s project is anticipated to attract upwards of 84,000 people to New York — the vast majority of them to Central New York.
Gov. Hochul has given us the tools to prepare the region for growth and position Central New Yorkers to take full advantage of this incredible opportunity.
In advance of the coming demand, the Governor’s housing policies will help increase the supply of affordable, high quality housing choices to meet this moment and grow equitably.
The governor is realizing incredible investments in education and healthcare including $450 million to upgrade and expand SUNY Upstate University Hospital’s emergency department and $74 million to establish the Syracuse STEAM School, the region’s first regional technical high school.
Alongside our local and federal partners, we are making long-term infrastructure investments to support regional growth, including expanded water, wastewater, gas, electric and transportation systems.
We’re also making ambitious investments to empower Central New Yorkers with the skills they need to take on these new jobs.
The former Sears building on South Salina Street will soon be home to a new state-of-the-art workforce development center – the flagship facility of the governor’s $200 million ON-RAMP program. And our Office of Strategic Workforce Development has invested nearly $15 million to support existing workforce programs throughout the region.
As part of our Green CHIPS incentives agreement, we’ve partnered with Micron to create a $500 million Community Investment Fund to amplify the benefits of this moment for those who need it most.
Green CHIPS also ensures that this project meets sustainability requirements that will make Micron’s New York facilities one of the most – if not the most – environmentally sustainable chip manufacturing facilities on earth.
This project positions Syracuse at the forefront of one of the world’s most important industries, while showing the country, and the world, that we can do this in a way that centers sustainability and community.
I always tell my colleagues: There is no place I’d rather be than right here, right now, working on this moment for upstate New York. In fact, at this point they’re probably sick of hearing it.
But as a career public servant who has dedicated his entire career to trying to provide opportunities for others, there is no greater opportunity than this one.
Whie we celebrate this critical milestone, there is much work ahead of us. On behalf of Gov. Hochul, I look forward to working with everyone who has a role to play in ensuring we realize the full potential of this incredible moment for Central New York. Right here, right now.
Kevin Younis is the chief operating officer and executive deputy commissioner of New York’s Empire State Development agency. He’s leading the state’s efforts to bring Micron Technology to Clay.
Contact:
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