KEY INITIATIVES

In October 2023, the NY SMART I-Corridor was designated as a hub, along with 30 other bids nationally, and became eligible to apply for a share of $10 billion in authorized Phase 2 funding. For nearly three years, OneROC served as a lead convener of the NY SMART I-Corridor bid, advancing an unprecedented and historic joint strategy among the three large upstate metros.

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In total, the consortium spans more than 100 member institutions, including economic development organizations and chambers, universities, community colleges, industry partners, workforce development, labor, philanthropy, equity-focused organizations and government. OneROC’s President and CEO will serve as the hub’s first Regional Innovation Officer, overseeing coordination of the federal investments and regional governance.

 

Leveraging the generational demand that will be created by Micron Technology’s $100 billion investment in Central New York—and an unparalleled array of assets in microelectronics, optics, photonics, imaging and advanced manufacturing—the I-Corridor strategy focuses on building a world-class regional semiconductor ecosystem over the next decade.

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“With this Tech Hubs Designation highlighting the region as one of only a few in the country primed to be the next Silicon Valley in critical technology ... America’s semiconductor manufacturing industry truly couldn’t be in better hands,” U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer said.

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More than $40 million in new federal funding, alongside a more than $200 million workforce commitment from New York State, will enable targeted and rapid investments in talent production, supply chain buildout and university-led lab-to-market innovations to meet the moment.

 

By 2030, the I-Corridor will be in the middle of the densest network of semiconductor chip manufacturing in the nation, with 25% of American-made chips manufactured within 350 miles—the largest such concentration in the country. The Tech Hub strategy aligns the region and makes critical investments that will position Upstate New York to fully realize the next decade’s growth opportunity.