Capital Region cementing itself as semiconductor leader

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – The nation’s first semiconductor research facility is coming to the City of Albany. Officials said it will further cement the Capital Region as a leader in the industry for decades to come.

Governor Kathy Hochul and other state and local leaders were in the state capital on Thursday to celebrate, what they called, the historic moment.

The very first national semiconductor technology center will be based at NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex. 

The facility will do everything from research to the development of semiconductor prototypes, before they’re shipped off to manufacturers worldwide. And possibly even farther upstate to GlobalFoundries in Malta.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who pushed to make the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act a reality, said they’ve already made progress on manufacturing semiconductors, with GlobalFoundries set to expand its operation.

“But now we’ll be number one in research as well. What a powerful one-two punch,” said Schumer.

The federal government has invested $825 million in the facility, which will house some of the industry's most advanced technology that's being used to make semiconductor chips more powerful and sustainable. 

"For decades, we've had the heartbreaking experience of watching parents at the airport, waving bye to their kids, because they couldn't find a job in upstate New York. It broke your heart, the kids wanted to live here, they know what a beautiful life it is here, but there were no good paying jobs for them. Now the opposite is coming," said Schumer.

Hochul said the investments that have already been made regionally made Albany the top choice when competing for the new facility.

“They saw the potential for the next generation of workers, the innovators, the talent that companies are going to want. They’re right here already, so this should be a very proud day for the residents of this region,” said Hochul.

“This is a continuation of our investment since beginning of my administration in this technology innovation corridor, all the way from Buffalo to here in Albany, that’s creating more jobs and opportunities and really putting us at the center of the national conversation on semiconductors, artificial intelligence and the future of innovation in our nation,” said Hochul.

She said they will continue to invest in the region to cultivate local talent and create a pipeline of skilled workers. 

“SUNY Albany is going to see an influx of people wanting to study these careers and be part of this extraordinary experience. It’s not happening anywhere in the nation so this is something that residents of this region should be enormously proud of,” said Hochul. 

She described what residents of Albany can expect. “They’ll see more people moving here, they’ll see receipts coming in from sales tax, more people buying houses, more people stimulating the local economy.”

Officials believe upstate New York will become the next Silicon Valley because there’s potential for growth.

“There’s a national focus now on this part of our state, the Capital Region. More scientists, researchers, innovators, young entrepreneurs will be all gravitating to this part of our state because of this opportunity to be part of nation leading, cutting edge research developing the next generation of semiconductor chips,” said Hochul.

They anticipate the capital region will play a pivotal role in the semiconductor industry and residents can expect more growth in the future. 

Natcast, and other member companies that will be working on the project, plan to have their personnel on-site. But as they expand beyond that, they’ll look for additional space in the area, according to President of NY CREATES Dave Anderson.

He said he’s already talked to Mayor Kathy Sheehan about the potential for expansion and the possibility of reutilizing the College of Saint Rose campus.

“We don’t have any definitive plans, but we’re keeping our eyes on it,” said Anderson.

They said increasing domestic research and manufacturing of semiconductor chips makes the nation less reliant on China and beefs up national security.