Sen. Cooney and Upstate Senators Pen Letter to U.S. Dep. of Commerce in Support of NY Smart I-Corridor Proposal

September 14, 2023

(ROCHESTER, NY) - Today, Senator Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester) and senate colleagues representing the NYS Thruway corridor, announced a letter sent to the U.S. Department of Commerce in support of New York Semiconductor Manufacturing and Research Technology Innovation Corridor (NY SMART I-Corridor)’s application to Phase 1 of the Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) Program.

The Tech Hubs Program, enacted as part of the federal CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, is an economic development initiative designed to drive regional technology- and innovation-centric growth by strengthening a region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize, and deploy critical technologies. Phase I of the program will award approximately $15 million in strategy development grants to accelerate the development of future Tech Hubs across the US. The Tech Hubs designation will be a widely recognized indicator of a region’s potential for rapid technology-led economic growth.

New York’s proposal would create a corridor of development between Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse.

Senator Cooney has been a consistent voice in leveraging our region’s resources and history of innovation to play a leading role in domestic technological development. He was the prime bill sponsor of the NY Green CHIPS Act, which was instrumental for New York to secure the largest private investment in its history from Micron.

It is time for the next chapter of our region’s rich history of innovation and development,” said Senator Cooney. “The NY SMART-I Corridor sets not only our region, but surrounding Upstate communities on a path to become a national and global leader in technology development. Each of our respective regions boasts world-class universities, plentiful natural resources, and proven workforce development programs. I am proud to stand with my Senate colleagues in support of this initiative, and urge the federal government to recognize the history and potential of our regions by including us in Phase I of the Tech Hubs Program.”

"The Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse region boasts formidable semiconductor and advanced manufacturing assets, exceptional talent, and scientific expertise that rival any in the nation, all within a convenient two-and-a-half-hour drive.,”said Bob Duffy, President and CEO, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce. “The NY SMART I-Corridor offers a unique opportunity to bolster collaboration among these three metropolitan areas, creating a focal point for advancing industry-shaping semiconductor technology, bolstering national security, and revitalizing the Upstate New York economy. We extend our gratitude to Senator Cooney, Senator Schumer, Congressman Morelle, Governor Hochul, and our dedicated partners throughout the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse region for their unwavering support in championing our Tech Hub application."

“Greater Rochester Enterprise, the lead business attraction and retention organization for the Greater Rochester, NY region, emphatically supports the NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub consortium's application as a strategic approach to cement this region's position as a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing,” said Matt Hurlbutt, President & CEO, Greater Rochester Enterprise. “The community is attracting investments from Edwards, Corning, AMD, and Optimax due to the talent, university-led R&D assets, and a unique concentration of advanced manufacturing, sensing, optics, photonics, and imaging expertise available to support their growth. The Tech Hub designation will further accelerate Greater Rochester Enterprise's track record for attracting new businesses and cultivating the expansion of existing businesses that strengthen the region's robust semiconductor supply chain ecosystem.”