New York Power Authority Approves Awards for Edwards, World Leader in Vacuum and Abatement Equipment in Semiconductor Industry, Spurring $212 Million in Capital Investments and Creating More Than 340 Jobs
Firm’s Expansion Brings Critical Component of Semiconductor Manufacturing Process to Upstate New York
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York Power Authority Board of Trustees approved economic development awards to Edwards—a British-based world leader in vacuum and abatement equipment in the semiconductor industry and part of the Atlas Copco Group—that will spur more than $212 million in capital investments, as the first phase of a $319 million overall project, and create 343 jobs. Governor Hochul first announced the firm’s decision to build a new facility at the Western New York Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park in Genesee County in November 2022.
“Upstate New York’s emergence as a global hub for advanced manufacturing is stimulating unprecedented, transformative investments that will deliver the jobs of tomorrow to New York’s talented workforce,” Governor Hochul said. “By providing these firms with the tools and support they need to thrive, New York is furthering its legacy of innovation and cementing itself as a leader in the semiconductor industry.”
New York Power Authority Acting President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “Securing key supply chain partners for New York’s growing semiconductor industry helps ensure that cutting-edge technologies will be developed right here in New York. NYPA hydropower plays a critical role in attracting leading manufacturers to our state and helps secure large-scale investments while creating well-paying jobs.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Attracting supply chain partners in the semiconductor industry is key building a stronger ecosystem in New York State and we are pleased to partner with NYPA and other state agencies to ensure that New York State is the top location for this industry and the many good jobs they will bring.”
John R. Koelmel, New York Power Authority Chairman, said, “The economic development awards approved at today’s meeting will advance the goals of New York’s ambitious Climate Act and strengthen the state’s position as a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing. The Niagara Power Project is linked to tens of thousands of Western New York jobs and is powering New York’s transition to a clean energy economy.”
At today’s meeting, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) board approved a 4.9-megawatt (MW) low-cost Niagara hydropower allocation to Edwards in support of the firm’s construction of a dry vacuum pump manufacturing facility at the Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) site. Additionally, the NYPA board approved 2.1 MW of High Load Factor power that NYPA will procure for Edwards on the energy market.
Low-cost Niagara hydropower is available for companies within a 30-mile radius of the Power Authority's Niagara Power Project or businesses in Chautauqua County. Niagara hydropower is linked to tens of thousands of existing jobs in the region.
Edwards is preparing to construct a 240,000 square-foot campus that will include manufacturing, warehouse, and administration at the STAMP location. Dry vacuum pumps are a critical component of the semiconductor manufacturing process, and the firm’s expansion would directly support semiconductor companies expanding operations in the United States.
Empire State Development (ESD) has offered up to $21 million in a combination of performance-based Excelsior Jobs Tax Credits, Investment Tax Credits and an additional $1 million to support Workforce Development and the training of a Diverse and Inclusive Workforce in exchange for 600 new full-time jobs at the location.
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said, “Today’s announcement is another key step to Edwards Vacuum making a major over $300 million investment in Upstate New York, powering Genesee County with 600 good-paying jobs. From Micron’s major investment in Central NY and Wolfspeed’s new fab in Marcy, to Onsemi soon beginning in the Hudson Valley and GlobalFoundries building a new fab in the Capital Region, and now Edward’s supercharging our semiconductor supply chain at Western New York’s STAMP site, my CHIPS and Science Act is delivering for Upstate in a big way and making New York a global hub for the chip industry. I was proud to push Edwards Vacuum to consider choosing STAMP to locate their new plant, and am glad they heeded my call, and that today’s announcement by the governor will bring us one step closer to realizing this investment.”
Representative Joe Morelle said, “Strengthening our semiconductor chip supply chain locally not only means more jobs, but also the revitalization of our manufacturing industry. I appreciate Governor Hochul’s dedication to ensuring a robust regional economy by making targeted investments in local innovation.”
State Senator George Borrello said, “Next to our educated, motivated Western New York workforce, low-cost, renewable, hydroelectric power is one of the greatest resources we have to attract new business and industry. This low-cost power allocation for Edwards Vacuum will spark $212 million in capital investment in the Genesee County STAMP project and help create more than 300 jobs. Strengthening our semiconductor industry will also strengthen our manufacturing industry, leading to more job growth. Thank you to the New York State Power Authority Board of Trustees and Gov. Hochul for making this investment in the Western New York Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park in Genesee County and in the future of all New York.”
Assemblymember Stephen Hawley said, “Advancing the semiconductor industry is vital to the expansion of technology throughout New York state. The creation of this new facility and 343 jobs will allow many New York residents to focus on the future of technology, hopefully creating a hive of innovation in Western New York. Our region welcomes the new facility at Western New York Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park.”
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.
New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan
New York State's nation-leading climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues fostering a green economy across all sectors and ensures that at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation’s most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is on a path to achieving a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economy-wide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York's unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $35 billion in 120 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $1.8 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $1.8 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 165,000 jobs in New York’s clean energy sector in 2021 and a 2,100 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York’s climate action with nearly 400 registered and 100 certified Climate Smart Communities, nearly 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State’s largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the state to help target air pollution and combat climate change.