Syracuse, New York — U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that the NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub has been selected as one of only 12 Tech Hub Award recipients in the nation, bringing a significant $40 million in federal funding to upstate New York.
“This is a monumental win for the Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse region as the first major tech hub award in the nation,” Schumer said. “From the fields near Syracuse that will become Micron’s megafab, to cutting-edge labs in Rochester, to workers learning manufacturing techniques in Buffalo, this award will help connect our region to seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity and establish upstate New York as the semiconductor manufacturing epicenter of the United States.”
Schumer said the multi-regional consortium beat out nearly 400 applications in the first phase of the tech hub competition and was one of 31 proposals selected for federal tech hub designation to compete for the funds awarded.
The Tech Hub’s $40 million in funding will be dedicated to specific projects that Schumer hopes will address growth challenges the area may face over the next decade and ensure that growth reaches all members of the community.
“Meeting the growing workforce needs of businesses here now and those calling the region home in the near future requires government at all levels working together,” said Onondaga County Mayor Ryan McMahon. “Today, thanks to Senator Schumer’s tireless support, the New York Smart I-Corridor Tech Hub will receive tens of millions of dollars in funding so we can work to strengthen our workforce for the jobs of today and tomorrow.”
One of the primary focuses of the funding is commercialization: Led by Syracuse University, the project will coordinate the Tech Hub’s key commercialization assets and facilities across academia, government and industry to ensure startups, small businesses and minority-owned companies have access to resources critical to semiconductor-related innovation and entrepreneurship.
“This substantial new grant builds on the larger investments our university is making,” said Syracuse University President Kent Syverud. “This grant will help build critical high-tech infrastructure and facilities, attract top semiconductor manufacturing researchers and faculty to the region, and develop unique experiential learning and internship opportunities for our talented students.”
The NY SMART I-Corridor Consortium Tech Hub spans the Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse regions, drawing commitments from industry, academia, labor, nonprofits, government and other members of the private sector and engaging with more than 100 institutions.
