Securing Micron's Historic Community Investment

On Oct. 4, 2022, Micron Technology, Inc. announced Central New York’s White Pine site, in Clay, will be home to its semiconductor manufacturing facility. The project will result in an up to $100 billion investment by Micron over the next 20-plus years and the creation of 9,000 new high paying Micron jobs. This is the largest private investment ever made in New York’s history, and one of the largest industrial manufacturing investments in the history of the United States.

Business Attraction

CenterState CEO worked directly and tirelessly for more than a year and half, alongside lead partners Empire State Development and Onondaga County, to bring this project to Central New York. Its economic development team supported and hosted multiple site visits with company representatives. This effort included sharing our community’s history of self-led revitalization efforts, which aligned to Micron’s vision as a company.

Community Investment & Workforce Innovation

In addition to its historical capital investment and promise of jobs, Micron committed to a $500 million Community Investment Framework. CenterState CEO was part of negotiation efforts with Micron to ensure these commitments were included in this transformative deal. Micron will invest $250 million through this fund over the duration of the project, targeting investments in workforce development, education, community assets and organizations, and affordable housing. New York state will invest $100 million, and $150 million will come from local, other state and national partners.

This framework validates many CenterState CEO-led regional strategies and initiatives, as it requires the community to scale the effective and creative workforce development solutions it has collaboratively led for several years. For example, Micron will encourage construction contractors and subcontractors to use Syracuse Build as a first source model to identify candidates for hiring from disadvantaged populations. Syracuse Build is a mayoral initiative CenterState CEO helped develop, including bringing together resources and partners for the initiative.

Additionally, commitments related to housing and transportation reinforce CenterState CEO’s policy positions on smart growth and I-81. Micron’s commitment also focuses on how socially and economically disadvantaged individuals can benefit from this unprecedented opportunity, with a goal that 30% of Micron’s eligible construction spend and 20% of its ongoing eligible operating spend be awarded to companies owned by these communities.

Micron has also looked to CenterState CEO’s expertise in developing workforce programs and strategies that are crucial to ensuring the project’s investments reach across the community equitably.

Policy & Advocacy

CenterState CEO also worked with federal leaders to help ensure the CHIPS and Science Act was passed.

The Act aims to increase the nation’s global competitiveness in the semiconductor industry and stands to lead to the reshoring of American production of these devices, and ultimately the creation of thousands of jobs and greater economic prosperity – including right here in Central New York region.

CenterState CEO also advocated strongly at the state level for the passage of Green CHIPS, a critical part of attracting Micron to Central New York. It provided New York State’s leadership with key insights as it developed and passed this new legislation, which has the ability to position the region and state to attract even more transformative projects. Green CHIPS is an amendment to the Excelsior Tax Credit program that allows the state to offer up to $500 million a year in state tax credits to chip companies that build new factories in New York state with a focus on reducing carbon emissions and greenhouse gases.

The legislation reflects the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul, and efforts by Senators John Mannion and Jeremy Cooney, and Assemblyman Al Stirpe to ensure its passage. CenterState CEO is proud to have brought its strong advocacy voice to these elected leaders to bring Green CHIPS to fruition.

Strategic Leadership

Micron’s historic investment is the result of two decades of focused, collaborative efforts made by the leaders of this community to create a place that could support a project of this scale. It would not have happened without the work of local, county, state and federal partners who came together to land this monumental project, including U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, Governor Kathy Hochul, Empire State Development, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and other leaders worked to ensure that the necessary legislation, site conditions and community assets were in place to secure this project.

The scale of Micron’s investment puts Central New York at the forefront of semiconductor manufacturing and drives untold future projects, investments and innovation. CenterState CEO welcomes Micron as its newest partner. Through a collective focus on advancing this once-in-a-generation opportunity, Central New York will lead the way.

CenterState CEO continues to work with Micron to ensure its success here, and is actively engaged alongside other lead partners in preparing for its immediate and long term needs and impacts. It is focused on the development of equity-driven workforce strategies and partnerships, the identification and development of diverse supply chain and contractor pipelines, and the strategic attraction and placement of suppliers. Learn more about engaging in the Micron project.