Micron Announces New Investments in Central New York Community

New funding delivered through Green CHIPS Community Investment Fund total $35.5 Million

Micron Technology announced $35.5 million in new community investments targeted toward addressing housing, transportation, childcare, workforce development, education and other needs across Central New York, building on regional momentum as the company makes progress on its historic $100 billion megafab project in Clay.  

The wide-ranging series of investments — made through the Green CHIPS Community Investment Fund (CIF), a partnership between Empire State Development and Micron — are intended for areas of significant need as the Central New York community prepares for continued growth of the high-tech and manufacturing industries in the years ahead. Micron’s commitments complement the previously announced $30 million in funding by New York State for the Housing Central New York Fund along with an additional $8.5 million in investments also announced today. 

“As we mark Micron’s inaugural Community Week in Central New York, these investments reflect our focus on building lasting opportunity alongside our historic $100 billion mega-fab semiconductor project that is creating 50,000 jobs,” said April Arnzen, EVP and Chief People Officer at Micron. “Housing, transportation, workforce development, education and childcare are essential to economic growth. Working with Governor Hochul and local partners, Micron is helping to ensure that the growth benefits everyone in the region.”

“Micron's investment in Central New York is a game changer and will bring tremendous growth to the region and the state," Governor Kathy Hochul said. "I created the Green CHIPS program to guarantee that the surrounding communities will benefit from these large-scale advanced manufacturing projects and 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."

"Today’s announcement marks a pivotal step forward as our community moves from preparing for Micron’s historic investment to realizing its impact in real time,” said Robert Simpson, Chief Executive Officer of CenterState CEO.” The opportunity driven by Micron is no longer far off; it is here now, and these investments represent an important initial down payment on the work outlined in the Community Priorities Document. CenterState is proud to have helped lead the engagement effort that shaped that document, which was grounded in listening to residents, organizations and stakeholders to define what matters most for our region’s future. The projects identified through the Community Engagement Committee process, and supported by these investments, will help ensure the benefits of this growth are shared broadly across our community for generations to come. We are grateful to Micron and Empire State Development for their partnership and commitment to delivering lasting, inclusive impact.” 

New workforce and community investments announced today include:

• $30,000,000 for the Housing Central New York (HCNY) fund to support housing expansion in the region.
• $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, accreditation, 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 to Fort Drum veterans and their families to semiconductor careers 
• $300,000 to OCM BOCES to scale its trades and pre-apprenticeship programs that will strengthen the talent pipeline into skilled trade apprenticeships
• $200,000 to PEACE, Inc. to expand the Early Child Care Pathways Program, increasing access, quality programming, and childcare workforce readiness

Today’s announcements were made at an event also formally launching Micron’s Community Week, which will run March 30 to April 3 and will feature hands-on STEM programming for students and families, info sessions related to construction and trades career pathways, a tech talk spotlighting Micron at the intersection of AI, community volunteering and STEM Fest at the MOST and other community-oriented gatherings. A full schedule events is available at most.org/micron-week.