Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse receive Tech Hub designation. What does that mean?
Billions in federal funding may be coming to upstate New York's three biggest cities — Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse — as their entry was selected as one of 31 regions across the U.S. to receive federal Tech Hub designation.
Officially known as the New York Semiconductor Manufacturing and Research Technology Innovation-Corridor Consortium, or NY SMART I-Corridor, the "semiconductor super-highway" along the New York State Thruway will help the region become a globally-recognized semiconductor manufacturing hub in the next decade, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer announced Monday inside NextCorps in downtown Rochester.
Binghamton University’s New Energy New York (NENY) project entry also made the list.
The project will use the funding to turn the Southern Tier into a nation-leading hub of battery manufacturing and development by assisting BU's efforts to bring battery startups and supply chain companies to the region and supporting local workforce training programs in the industry.
"This is a red-letter day for Rochester," Schumer said Monday. "Becoming an official Tech Hub doesn't go away. There's no greater national spotlight, no greater open for business sign to shine along the I-90 corridor to attract new companies from across America and across upstate New York than being designated a Tech Hub."
NEW: Two major projects in upstate New York were just designated as federal Tech Hubs by @POTUS!
The federal government is making it clear: New York is the place for the innovation, technology, and jobs of the future.— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) October 23, 2023
What does being a 'Tech Hub' mean for Upstate NY?
With this designation, the NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub proposal, along with 30 other regional proposals, will be able to compete for the next phase of the Tech Hubs Program, which will invest between $50 and $75 million in each of of five to 10 designated hubs.
The NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub will support tech giant Micron's $100 billion investment announced last year and will work to attract companies, support start-ups and train workers, as the U.S. tries to gain ground in an industry dominated by China, a vulnerability highlighted during the pandemic when chip shortages crippled some supply chains.
"This bill and what we are achieving because of it has a potential to revive America's technology manufacturing leadership," Micron president and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra said Monday. "The region's designation as a Tech Hub embraces the vision of why Micron chose upstate New York."
The five-year Tech Hubs program, earmarked by Congress in the CHIPS and Science bill, is backed by $500 million in allocations the first year.
Last year's spending bill included $500 million to jumpstart the competition from which Phase 2 awards will be made. The CHIPS & Science Bill included a $10 billion authorization for the Tech Hubs program. This means the designated Tech Hubs can compete for more investment based off future funding levels.
Upstate NY Tech Hub: Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse make cut in first round of high-dollar Tech Hub sweepstakes
"This is a huge win for our region," Congressman Joseph Morelle said. "This is an extraordinary moment. We're going to continue to build on the extraordinary strengths of Rochester and our partner cities and the future is unlimited."
New York State Team reporter Thomas C. Zambito contributed to this report.
Emily Barnes is the New York State Team consumer advocate reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Barnes at ebarnes@gannett.com or on Twitter @byemilybarnes.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse receive Tech Hub designation
