Announcement Includes Awards From the $500 Million Green CHIPS Community Investment Fund

Effort Aims To Support Workforce Development, Transportation; Expand Housing Efforts in Central New York and Improve Child Care in the Region, Among Other Priorities

Community Investment Continues To Define Micron’s Commitment to Central New York and America’s Manufacturing Leadership

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that Micron has awarded nearly $35 million in community investments for Central New York as part of its broader agreement to establish the largest semiconductor manufacturing facility in the United States in New York. Additionally, the state is providing $8.5 million for initiatives and programs that will strengthen housing, workforce development, job training and creation, and economic growth within the region in preparation for the Micron project. These awards represent the first grants awarded from the historic $500 million Green CHIPS Community Investment Fund. Forged by Governor Hochul as a core component of Micron’s participation in the Green CHIPS program, this fund ensures that the region’s growth translates directly into housing, workforce development, and job training for all Central New Yorkers. The announcement sets the stage for Micron Technology’s CNY Community Week, running from March 27 to April 3.

“Micron's investment in Central New York is a game changer and will bring tremendous growth to the region and the state,” Governor Hochul said. “I created the Green CHIPS program to guarantee that the surrounding communities will benefit from these large scale advanced manufacturing projects. Today's announcement represents concrete evidence that our partnership with Micron and our local stakeholders will ensure that New Yorkers get the greatest benefit from this once in a lifetime, extraordinary opportunity.”

Micron’s investments include a $30 million contribution to the recently announced $150 million Housing CNY Fund and another $5.55 million that will finance six Community Investment Fund programs including:*-

• $2,200,000 for a pilot program with the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (Centro) to create a new public bus route from Syracuse to Clay, increasing access to job opportunities and reducing traffic impacts in the area
• $1,100,000 to Onondaga Community College to fund the Pre-College Semiconductor Summer Program for high school students
• $1,000,000 to SUNY Oswego to support STEM educators, providing professional development and STEM resources that are industry-connected and aligned to evolving STEM pathways
• $750,000 to Jefferson Community College to scale Mechatronics curriculum, providing pathways for Fort Drum veterans and military-connected learners to semiconductor careers
• $300,000 to OCM BOCES to scale its trades pre-apprenticeship programs and increase the construction workforce
• $200,000 to PEACE, Inc. to expand the Early Child Care Pathways Program to deliver childcare workforce support and expansion

Empire State Development will additionally provide another $8.5 million to support:

• Oswego County BOCES (CiTi BOCES) — $100,000: To upgrade its CDL training program with Commercial Driver’s License driving simulation equipment and practical training trailers at its main campus in Mexico, NY. The project will enhance CiTi’s CDL A and B training programs, currently the only CDL training offered in Oswego County, by integrating simulation-based instruction into the curriculum. The simulator will provide students from Oswego and surrounding counties with safe, hands-on practice in varied driving scenarios, improving skill development, shortening training time, and expanding program access.
• The Teamsters Local 317 Training Fund — $300,000: Which will help to acquire a new semi-truck and training equipment to expand the existing training program. This investment will enable the organization to increase class sizes from 10 to 30 trainees, with the goal of certifying 100 to 125 new drivers annually. The project will provide hands-on, real-world training at the Teamsters’ current facility, accelerating the CDL licensure process and enhancing job readiness.
• OCM BOCES — $2 million: Which will invest in reconfiguring and expanding its offering by renovating and upgrading infrastructure at their campuses and purchasing new training machinery and equipment. The investment will allow expansion into high-demand programs such as welding, construction trades and auto tech, while maintaining other programs such as computer tech, lab tech, cosmetology, new visions medical and video gaming to a separate leased location.
• Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 81 — $5.48 million: Which will expand training capacity to bolster and prepare the plumbers and steamfitters workforce for the construction of the massive Micron semiconductor facility in Clay, NY. With this project, the JATC will bolster its training facilities in Syracuse, Oswego, Ithaca, and Gouverneur to equip new and existing members with orbital welding proficiency and expand its apprenticeship class sizes.
• Refugee and Immigrant Self-Empowerment, Inc. or (RISE) — $600,000: Which provides services and resources to refugee and immigrant communities in Onondaga County, will purchase and renovate a building in Syracuse that will house the organization’s administrative offices and provide classrooms and community spaces for its workforce development programming. This project aligns with the CNY region’s priority of providing resources and access for workforce development.

ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The Micron Megafab project is transformational for Central New York and its surrounding communities, creating an impact throughout New York State. Thanks to our continued efforts to bolster the semiconductor industry, coupled with the Green CHIPS program and the federal CHIPS and Science Act, New York remains poised to see unparalleled growth in this dynamic ecosystem. Governor Hochul remains committed to growing this vital industry in New York, while ensuring that it happens collaboratively with local residents and partners.”

Read the full press release here.