Governor Hochul Announces Details of Plan to Grow Jobs and Boost Economy in Central New York as Part of FY 24 Executive Budget

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced details of key proposals from her Fiscal Year 2024 Executive Budget to grow jobs and boost the economy in Central New York. In line with the 2023 State of the State, the budget includes a major investment to increase housing supply and expand economic opportunity and innovation in the region. That includes $36 million for Onondaga Community College, $11 million for local workforce and economic development initiatives, $10 million for the New 15th Ward public housing project and $26 million for the State Fair and local parks. Governor Hochul also announced $45 million for GO SEMI: Governor's Office of Semiconductor Expansion, Management and Integration, which will provide administrative and operational support to Micron during its historic $100 billion investment for a new megafab in Central New York and lead a broader effort to develop New York's semiconductor industry.

"These investments are building on our momentum to make Syracuse and Central New York more prosperous, more affordable, and more livable," Governor Hochul said. "With new, deeper commitments to housing, education, and economic development, our budget will build on Micron's investment to create opportunity for even more New Yorkers, and I look forward to working with local leaders to make this vision for Central New York a reality."

Several of the budget proposals Governor Hochul announced today are in line with the Economic Innovation Plan announced in the 2023 State of the State to grow jobs and businesses by expanding economic opportunity and innovation across New York State through targeted investments, business support and other programming aimed at high-growth industries. The Governor's budget also includes several initiatives to invest in higher education and improve local attractions across the state. For Central New York, the plan includes:

• $10 million for the New 15th Ward public housing project in Syracuse, which will support construction of the first three phases of the multi-year-12 phase project.
• $5 million to help the Syracuse Economic Development Corporation create a revolving loan fund to help small- to mid-size city businesses fill critical gaps in the need for qualified contractors for housing construction and rehabilitation as well as for lead hazard reduction in homes.
• $5 million for the Flexible Finance Program to support economic development in the City of Syracuse.
• $1 million to expand the successful Syracuse Build Pathways to Apprenticeship program to support building trades apprenticeships in Syracuse and expand Vehicles to Work program.
• $1 million to create the Syracuse Surge High-Tech Careers Bridge Program, which will help connect Syracuse residents with semiconductor careers, eSOL programs and skills training for advanced manufacturing careers.
• $36 million for Onondaga Community College, including:
  • $15 million to expand the School of Health.
  • $5 million to support construction of a 5,000 square foot, ISO class 5 and 6 clean room for training students in the semiconductor and microelectronics industries.
  • $3 million for an open warehouse space for use in applied engineering, technical and workforce education.
  • $2.5 million for an energy retrofit of Coyne Hall.
  • $10.25 million for various improvements across the campus.
• $14 million to support State fairground maintenance and needed infrastructure upgrades.
• $7 million to construct two brand new comfort stations at campgrounds and make circulations improvements at Selkirk Shores State Park.
• $5 million for improvements at Green Lakes State Park.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "New York has made many strategic investments to attract the semiconductor industry and these investments, coupled with the State's Green CHIPS program and the federal CHIPS and Science Act will allow for unparalleled growth, especially in Central New York, as we build up the semiconductor industry ecosystem. I applaud Governor Hochul's commitment to growing this vital industry in New York State."

Micron's Executive Vice President of Global Operations Manish Bhatia said, "We are proud of the groundwork being laid by the Micron team, together with local community and government partners, to advance this project. The semiconductor industry is creating opportunities that are beginning to transform this region. We're confident that Micron made a great choice to lay down roots right here in Central New York."

State Senator John W. Mannion said, "Building on the progress of the Green Chips legislation, I look forward to continuing to collaborate with the governor to make the right investments in the human and physical infrastructure the 50th Senate District needs to maximize the $100B Micron semiconductor manufacturing project. We need major state resources to bring training programs to scale while supporting the workforce pipeline from our K-12 schools, community colleges, and four-year universities. I am committed to working with the governor and my colleagues in the legislature to include vital state funding in the enacted budget for advanced manufacturing in Central New York and the tens of thousands of jobs it will bring to the state."

State Senator Rachel May said, "As Micron gets ready to build a nation-leading semiconductor factory in Central New York and hire thousands of employees, it's critical that we prepare the area with affordable and quality housing while also providing the company with the necessary tools to guarantee it's a good neighbor to residents in the region. Thank you to Governor Hochul for including funding in this year's budget to address these issues, ensuring Micron's development is successful."

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said, "With Governor Hochul's strong partnership, Syracuse is entering a period of growth not seen in nearly a century. We appreciate funding in Governor Hochul's Executive Budget announced today for housing, small business development and job readiness. With investments in these areas, we can expand our efforts to ensure growth in Syracuse and Central New York is sustainable and creates opportunities for all."

GO SEMI and New York's Growing Semiconductor Industry

Governor Hochul also announced $45 million for GO SEMI, announced as part of the 2023 State of the State address, on the heels of Micron's historic announcement that it will invest $100 billion to build the world's largest memory manufacturing facility in Clay, located in Onondaga County, New York. The investment is estimated to bring up to 50,000 jobs to the Central New York region and was made possible by the federal CHIPS and Science Act and New York's Green CHIPS legislation, which the Governor signed in 2022. The new office will be led by Empire State Development and staffed by experts from the Department of State, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the Department of Labor, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Conservation, NY CREATES, the New York Power Authority, the Office of Homes and Community Renewal and the State University of New York.

GO SEMI will lead and centralize efforts to implement the Micron project; develop and advance policies to attract the semiconductor industry and its supply chain; coordinate workforce development and community investments between local, state, federal, and private partners; lead efforts to create, attract and retain the highly skilled workforce needed; and support cohesive development focused on smart growth principles.

Shortly after the Micron announcement, Governor Hochul announced that Edwards Vacuum, a British-based world leader in vacuum and abatement equipment in the semiconductor industry, would build a new $319 million, U.S. dry pump manufacturing facility at Western New York Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) located in Genesee County, creating up to 600 jobs. The agreements with Micron and Edwards Vacuum will help to solidify New York's standing as a hub for advanced manufacturing and a home for 21st century jobs.