NY SMART I-Corridor Welcomes Visit From U.S. Economic Development Administration Leaders

CenterState CEO and its Tech Hub partners from Buffalo and Rochester hosted U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) leaders, including Acting Assistant Secretary Cristina Killingsworth, as part of the EDA's national tour of federally designated Tech Hubs in October. As one of 12 federally designated and funded EDA Tech Hubs, the NY SMART I-Corridor is a key driver of semiconductor innovation and supply chain growth for the region and nation.

The Tech Hubs program provides key, targeted investments that will help the region transition its existing assets into a world-class center for semiconductor research, development and manufacturing.

The group toured different sites across the NY SMART I-Corridor where Tech Hubs funded projects are making progress and advancing regional goals, including:

Monroe Community College (MCC) is the home of the STEP-UP program, focused on training the next generation of microelectronics technicians and building a skilled workforce to meet the growing demands of the semiconductor and optics industries.

Optimax, an optics and solutions manufacturer in Ontario, New York, highlights how the SCAN project is strengthening regional manufacturing capabilities and ensuring that local companies are prepared to meet the expanding demand for advanced technology components.

AIM Photonics' Test, Assembly and Packaging (TAP facility) was an opportunity to discuss how decades of investment led by Empire State Development have propelled the region to global leadership in semiconductor research, manufacturing, and commercialization.

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)’s Nanofabrication Lab showed how projects like C3 are making intellectual capital, facilities, and resources more accessible to businesses of all sizes, accelerating innovation and commercialization.

The group wrapped up the day with a roundtable discussion, bringing together leaders from industry, academia, and government. The conversation centered on building a resilient and equitable NY SMART I-Corridor in Upstate NY, which is poised to be a key driver of the region and nation’s future.

A special thanks to Acting Assistant Secretary Killingsworth and her team at the U.S. EDA for the visit. Learn more about the NY SMART I-Corridor projects being funded through the Tech Hubs program.