TL;DR
Western New York’s semiconductor ecosystem is growing rapidly. With major semiconductor fabrication facilities planned by Micron in Clay, New York, and Intel in New Albany, Ohio, Buffalo Niagara is strategically positioned near two transformative investments. This creates significant opportunities for manufacturers across the region to support an expanding domestic semiconductor supply chain.
Through Invest Buffalo Niagara and the NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub, businesses can access the resources, expertise and partnerships they need to enter, grow or expand their role within this high-growth industry.
Semiconductors are more than tiny computer chips. They are one of the foundations of today’s innovation economy, powering everything from vehicles and smartphones to medical devices and advanced manufacturing equipment.
Through the NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub, Western New York is playing an increasingly important role in strengthening the nation’s semiconductor ecosystem and creating new economic opportunities across the region.
Invest Buffalo Niagara (InBN) is proud to serve as a regional partner in the NY SMART I-Corridor. In addition to my role as a Business Development Manager at InBN, I serve as the organization’s Tech Hub Navigator, helping local companies understand and pursue opportunities within the semiconductor supply chain.
What is the NY SMART I-Corridor?
Funded through the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, the NY SMART I-Corridor is one of 12 federally funded Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs. It brings together businesses, universities, economic development organizations and community partners across Upstate New York to grow a globally competitive semiconductor ecosystem.
The initiative is designed to expand manufacturing capacity, strengthen domestic supply chains, build the industry’s workforce and accelerate the commercialization of new technologies.
With Micron planning a major semiconductor manufacturing campus in Clay, New York, and Intel developing facilities in New Albany, Ohio, Buffalo Niagara is well positioned to help companies take advantage of growing demand throughout the semiconductor supply chain.
The Tech Hub’s work is organized around three complementary initiatives:
Supply Chain Activation Network (SCAN)
SCAN supports businesses seeking to enter, expand or strengthen their role within the semiconductor supply chain. Invest Buffalo Niagara and Insyte Consulting serve as the initiative’s regional leads in Buffalo Niagara.
Through SCAN, companies can access coordinated assistance from economic development organizations and Manufacturing Extension Partnerships. This may include technical assistance, supply-chain readiness support and targeted funding to help businesses move from planning to implementation.
The goal is to help existing manufacturers expand their capabilities, prepare potential suppliers to serve the semiconductor industry and attract additional supply-chain companies to the region.
Semiconductor Talent and Employer Partnership Upstate New York (STEP UP)
STEP UP focuses on developing and expanding the talent pipeline needed to support the growing semiconductor ecosystem.
The employer-led initiative coordinates investments in training infrastructure, wraparound services and inclusive access to high-quality manufacturing careers. By aligning education and training programs with industry needs, STEP UP helps ensure that businesses have access to the skilled workforce they need to grow and compete.
Commercialization and Collaboration Center (C3)
C3 connects startups, researchers and manufacturers with the tools, expertise and capital needed to bring new semiconductor-related technologies to market.
The initiative includes partnerships with the University at Buffalo, Syracuse University, Cornell University, Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Rochester. Together, these institutions help connect companies with research expertise, specialized facilities and commercialization support, from proof of concept through scaled production.
Building a Complete Semiconductor Ecosystem
While each initiative serves a distinct purpose, their collective impact is what makes the Tech Hub model so powerful. Growing the semiconductor industry requires more than fabrication facilities. It requires a reliable supply chain, a skilled workforce and a strong pipeline of research and innovation.
Edwards Vacuum is one example of a company investing in the region’s growing semiconductor ecosystem. The company is developing a manufacturing facility at the Western New York Science, Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park, commonly known as STAMP, in Genesee County. There, Edwards will manufacture dry vacuum pumps used in semiconductor production, helping support major domestic fabrication facilities such as Micron’s planned campus in Clay.
Projects like Edwards Vacuum demonstrate the kinds of supply-chain opportunities the Tech Hub is designed to support.
Whether your company already serves the semiconductor industry or is exploring how its products, services or expertise could support this growing sector, the Invest Buffalo Niagara team and I are here to help.
We can connect your business with regional partners, technical resources and funding opportunities available through the NY SMART I-Corridor ecosystem.
To explore opportunities created by the Tech Hub in Western New York, contact me at [email protected] or visit the NY SMART I-Corridor website.
Written by Cassidy Malough, Business Development Manager and Tech Hub Navigator at Invest Buffalo Niagara. Learn more about advanced manufacturing in Buffalo Niagara.