The NY SMART I-Corridor has made major strides in advancing the semiconductor ecosystem across the region. From the launch of our new website, policy wins in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), the rollout of Innovation Vouchers, and progress on Micron’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), this effort is advancing not just with speed, but with purpose. Together, these milestones reflect the strength of our coalition and how important this work is to our regional economy and national security.
The scale of opportunity in New York’s semiconductor industry is hard to overstate. Since 2020, more than $131 billion in investments have been announced in New York, and new fabrication plants are rising across the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse region. This area is quickly becoming a national hub for advanced manufacturing and innovation.
To help businesses navigate this growing ecosystem and find ways to get involved, the Center for Supply Chain Analytics in the University at Buffalo School of Management released the NY SMART I-Corridor Opportunity Guide. The resource highlights what makes New York’s semiconductor supply chain so competitive, including historic private sector investments, billions in state and federal funding, and a growing network of technical support and workforce programs.
Inside the Guide
The Opportunity New York offers a range of supports, including tax credits, grants, utility discounts, and expert technical assistance. Its research and development capacity is strong, with major investments like the $10 billion NY CREATES High-NA EUV center. Workforce training is also a focus, led by the $200 million ON-RAMP program, part of a larger $550 million commitment.
Buying Needs Semiconductor Manufacturers like Intel, GlobalFoundries, Micron, Onsemi, and Wolfspeed work with more than 169 suppliers across the globe and are increasingly seeking regional partners to localize and diversity their supply chains. IBM, ASML, Applied Materials, 3M, and Newmont are among the top suppliers, sourcing materials and components from more than 175 smaller companies. There is also rising demand for logistics, warehousing, equipment maintenance, and machining. The Guide details the specific products buyers are looking to source locally, and will be updated frequently as buyer needs are identified and cataloged.
Supplier Requirements The Guide takes a closer look at what it takes to work with leading fabs like Intel, Micron, TSMC, and Qualcomm, including certifications for quality, safety, sustainability, cybersecurity, and business continuity.
How to Get Involved
The Guide outlines how businesses can plug into New York’s growing supply chain with details on funding, workforce development, supplier readiness tools, and more. Whether you are already part of the industry or exploring ways to break in, the support is here.
Your Role in New York’s Semiconductor Future
The semiconductor industry in New York is transforming the region into a hub for innovation and advanced manufacturing. The NY SMART I-Corridor Opportunity Guide helps you understand this growing ecosystem and shows how your business can get involved. Whether you are a supplier, service provider, or emerging company, the guide offers resources to help you succeed in this fast-growing industry. Don’t miss your chance to be part of New York’s semiconductor future.
Ajay Balan, Senior Manager of Silicon Planning at Micron, delivering the keynote address
The University at Buffalo’s Bridging the Gap: Activating the Semiconductor Supply Chain Network conference connected leaders, manufacturers, and regional stakeholders for a two-day conversation on how to grow New York’s presence in the global semiconductor industry. Held July 15-16 at the UB Center for the Arts and Alfiero Center, the event offered a valuable combination of insights, networking, and strategy building around supply chain activation and industry readiness.
What Happened
Over the course of two days, participants connected with industry leaders from companies such as Micron, Moog, and Edwards Vacuum. Sessions explored the quality standards required for semiconductor suppliers, how to navigate federal and state purchasing processes, what it takes to finance a business expansion, and what it takes to successfully play a part in domestic chipmaking.
Hosted by UB’s Center for Supply Chain Analytics, in partnership with the NY SMART I-Corridor, the conference highlighted the region’s growing role in shaping America’s semiconductor future. “The United States is making a comeback in semiconductor production,” said Ajay Balan, Senior Manager of Silicon Planning at Micron Technology.
How Employers Benefited
In addition to the information shared, the Lightning Round Buyer Needs Talks, one-on-one supplier meetings, and targeted sessions on government contracting helped businesses better understand the landscape and upcoming opportunities. Presentations from Edwards Vacuum, Moog, and GDI offered direct insights into specific sourcing needs.
Edwards Vacuum is seeking materials like sheet metal, aluminum and iron castings, piping, and tubing.
Moog is looking for suppliers of precision machining and electronic components.
GDI emphasized their facility services, particularly contamination control in the clean rooms that are critical in semiconductor production which refer to cleanliness classifications critical in semiconductor manufacturing.
The key takeaway: the semiconductor supply chain is deeply interconnected and presents exciting opportunities for Buffalo Niagara businesses to get involved.
Looking Ahead
Bridging the Gap was more than a conference, as it marked a milestone in Upstate New York’s rise as a national semiconductor leader. The strategies shared, partnerships formed, and challenges addressed all reinforce that the NY SMART I-Corridor is not waiting for the future but actively building it.
Stay Connected To follow ongoing progress and opportunities across the Corridor, visit nysmarticorridor.com.
Q1 Progress Across Supply Chain, Commercialization, and Workforce Development
The NY SMART I-Corridor coalition met this month to discuss the meaningful progress across the region that will position the area as a leader in semiconductor innovation. The progress shared reflects both the strength of the Corridor’s cross-sector partnerships and the federal government’s commitment to semiconductor growth as a matter of national economic and security strategy.
Strengthening the semiconductor supply chain
Led by the University at Buffalo, the SCAN (Supply Chain Activation Network) Project is building a comprehensive picture of the regional semiconductor supply chain by identifying supplier capabilities and assessing gaps across operational and construction-related areas. This work supports the integration of regional firms, including small and mid-sized manufacturers, into the broader semiconductor ecosystem.
In July, UB will host Bridging the Gap: Activating the Supply Chain Network, a two-day convening designed to connect suppliers with semiconductor manufacturers, resource providers, and project leads. The event will feature expert-led sessions and matchmaking opportunities for companies seeking to engage directly in the growing semiconductor sector.
Long-term economic impact through innovation-led engagement
An Innovation Voucher Program is being developed and will provide funding for companies to access university infrastructure and technical support. Connecting startups, universities, labs and manufacturers with the tools, expertise, and capital needed to bring semiconductor-related products to market is important to the Commercialization and Collaboration Center (C3) project. The Innovation Voucher Program is another way the NY SMART I-Corridor is removing barriers for founders and institutions to work collaboratively.
Expanding workforce training capacity
Semiconductor learning continues to expand through curriculum development at Monroe Community College, student onboarding via ON-RAMP, and new transfer pathways that connect MCC students to RIT’s specialized programs.
In Syracuse, ON-RAMP has secured a permanent home in a long-vacant Sears building in downtown Syracuse to be redeveloped into a modern workforce training center. Building on the success of Buffalo’s Workforce Training Center, this marks a significant investment in the Corridor’s talent.
The NY SMART I-Corridor is advancing with discipline, urgency, and growing momentum. Here are two upcoming opportunities to engage:
Integrate in Upstate May 7–8 | Syracuse, NY Explore business and investment opportunities in America’s only designated and funded Semiconductor Tech Hub.
Bridging the Gap July 15–16 | Buffalo, NY Join suppliers, buyers, and ecosystem partners for an exclusive event focused on growing New York’s semiconductor supply chain.
Stay Connected To follow ongoing progress and opportunities across the Corridor, visit nysmarticorridor.com.
