Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
Schumer Lands A Whopping $825 Million Initial Federal Investment And Establishes Albany NanoTech As Fed Headquarters For Semiconductor Research; A Once In A Generation Recognition Making The Capital Region A Chip R&D Center For The Entire World
Schumer Created NSTC Program — With Albany As His North Star — And Worked Relentlessly To Secure This Prestigious Investment, Bringing Good-Paying Jobs, New Companies, And Innovation With Most Advanced Machinery In World To Upstate NY
Schumer: A Historic Moment. Uncle Sam Just Picked Upstate NY & The Capital Region As THE Place To Develop The Future Of America’s Chip Industry
After years of relentless advocacy, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer today announced Albany NanoTech has been selected as America’s first location for the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) supported by an up to $825 million federal investment from Schumer’s bipartisan CHIPS & Science Law.
The NSTC is a critical part of Schumer’s and the Biden-Harris Administration’s mission of re-establishing America’s leadership in the semiconductor industry and will bring together industry leaders, researchers from the nation’s top universities, innovators, and entrepreneurs to help give them access to the most advanced chip making machinery in the world and drive the next frontier of innovation.
“This is the dawn of a new day for Upstate NY and a turning point in U.S. leadership in semiconductor research. I am proud to announce America’s first major National Semiconductor Technology Center facility will be right here in Albany. This will help ensure advancements in semiconductors that will shape the next century are stamped ‘Made in America’ and not developed and made in places like China,” said Senator Schumer. “Today, Uncle Sam is saying that Albany NanoTech is THE place for developing the next frontier of America’s technological future. I wrote the NSTC in my CHIPS & Science Law with Albany NanoTech as my inspiration, and now that dream is becoming a reality. Today we help usher in America’s next era of chip research and manufacturing, with Upstate NY leading the way.”
The Department of Commerce and Natcast, the operator of the NSTC, will invest an initial up to $825 million to further build out equipment at Albany NanoTech, to conduct cutting-edge extreme ultraviolet (EUV) research and development (R&D), and to establish an NSTC presence with offices and support services in Albany. Today’s announcement not only makes Albany NanoTech the CHIPS for America R&D flagship facility but also the headquarters for national EUV research as the country’s NSTC EUV Accelerator. EUV technology is essential to the semiconductor industry and some of the most advanced machinery in the world, in which light is used to print patterns and make chips on wafers. EUV lithography is what has allowed the breakthroughs to make this technology nanoscopic and allows for the chips that power everything from smartphones, computers, and vehicles to artificial intelligence. Albany NanoTech will soon be one of the only two public facilities in the world with the most advanced EUV technology, a High NA Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography tool, and will be the only publicly-owned High NA EUV Center in North America.
Schumer continued, “The NSTC is a historic and new effort by the federal government to fuel the quest to make breakthroughs in chips that engineers today cannot even fathom, just as Albany NanoTech had produced before, including most recently with the development of the world’s first 2 nanometer chip. This $825 million initial federal investment will further equip Albany NanoTech and fund EUV research projects that are central to the global chip industry, ensuring the U.S. leads the world in semiconductor innovation and manufacturing, with the Capital Region and Upstate NY central to that effort.”
Schumer explained that the state-of-the-art new EUV facility at Albany NanoTech and today’s designation and federal investment will help the United States establish dominance in advanced semiconductor research and development. The NSTC EUV Accelerator will help address gaps in American knowledge about semiconductors and provide information to stakeholders including universities, small businesses and entrepreneurs, large manufacturers, and government agencies by providing NSTC members with access to EUV technology to facilitate research and commercialization.
The NSTC EUV Accelerator at Albany NanoTech will be a place for leaders in the semiconductor industry to conduct research and collaborate, including bringing industry leaders like Micron, IBM, GlobalFoundries, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, ASML, and more to the table to partner on next-generation R&D. Being designated the EUV accelerator will also open up opportunities for Albany NanoTech and Upstate NY to attract further federal investment and help attract more companies from around the world to Albany to conduct research, all with the potential of creating more good-paying jobs and making Upstate NY a global leader in semiconductors. The U.S. Department of Commerce and Natcast intend for the NSTC EUV Center at Albany NanoTech to be operational by 2025.
Schumer added, “Having the federal headquarters for EUV research that is critical to the most advanced chip development in the world will benefit every corner of NY. It will supercharge the historic investments and thousands of new, good-paying jobs the chip industry has proposed across the state, spurred by my CHIPS & Science Law. The NSTC will help complete my vision of Upstate NY’s I-90 corridor becoming America’s Semiconductor Superhighway. From our Tech Hub in Western NY and Rochester to Micron’s massive $100+ billion planned investment near Syracuse and Wolfspeed’s investment in the Mohawk Valley, to now the National Semiconductor Technology Center here in Albany.”
The NSTC, first authorized by Schumer in 2020 and then funded by the CHIPS & Science Law, which Schumer crafted and led to passage, will bridge the gap between research and industry to bolster semiconductor research and development for the U.S. and its allies. Today, practically none of the most advanced chips – which are critical to national security and growing industries like artificial intelligence – are manufactured in the United States. The research conducted through the NSTC will help ensure the U.S. remains on the cutting-edge globally in chip R&D and bring this manufacturing back to the United States, boosting local economies by creating good-paying jobs and strengthening the country’s national security.
The EUV Center at Albany NanoTech is the first of three planned major NSTC facilities. The U.S. Department of Commerce has not yet made announcements about the NSTC’s Administrative and Design Facility and Prototyping and NAPMP Advanced Packaging Piloting Facility. Together, these three major hubs will lead the NSTC’s core functions and help fulfill the CHIPS & Science Law’s vision of developing more American-made technology and boosting America as a global semiconductor leader. The new NSTC EUV Center at Albany NanoTech will also open the doors to millions of dollars in additional awards and research opportunities with the federal government, as well as help bring in additional industry partners to leverage the state-of-the-art facilities to develop and manufacture advanced chips.
Schumer said, “In the past two years, the federal government has made unprecedented investments in Upstate NY because of my CHIPS & Science Law. They listened when I said this community is the most qualified in the nation to bring this industry back from overseas, the most ready to build America’s future, and the NSTC is the crown jewel that will complete this vision as the centerpiece of research in the most cutting-edge chip development.”
“From day one of my administration, I pledged that New York State would lead the charge to bring back advanced manufacturing and R&D to the U.S., creating good jobs and opportunity in the process,” Governor Hochul said. “Thanks to the winning combination of federal CHIPS funding and New York’s determination and ingenuity, the Albany NanoTech Complex will be home to the CHIPS for America EUV Accelerator, an NSTC Facility, and fuel America’s advanced manufacturing renaissance. I thank the Biden-Harris Administration, the Department of Commerce, Natcast, and our federal delegation for their partnership as we continue to work together to advance U.S. semiconductor leadership, safeguard our national security and create a brighter future for all.”
“Building up America’s domestic semiconductor industry is critical to create good-paying jobs, protect our supply chains, and strengthen our national security, and I’m proud to see New York leading this effort,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Upstate New York is already a hub for cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing, research, and development, and the designation of NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex as the location of the CHIPS for America EUV Accelerator will help us maintain our status as a global leader in such a vital industry. I fought hard to pass the CHIPS and Science Act, and I’m proud to see this historic legislation bring scientific innovation and economic development to the Capital Region.”
“Today is a monumental moment for our region, for job creation, for cutting-edge research, and for our 21st century precision economy,” Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) said. “In the years since Congress passed the CHIPS and Science Act, I have been relentlessly advocating alongside the many stakeholders who call NY CREATES home to leverage the shovel-ready infrastructure and advanced R&D capabilities right here at the Albany NanoTech Complex. Our region has long been poised to take the reins to steer America’s semiconductor revitalization and, thanks to the pioneering work and sound investment of New York leadership, local chip manufacturers, researchers, educational institutions, and other stakeholders, that reality is upon us. I’m thrilled to celebrate this groundbreaking announcement and remain as determined as ever to secure strong federal action that delivers for American workers, consumers, and communities.”
NY CREATES’ President Dave Anderson said, “With a legacy spanning more than 20 years of technological achievements, NY CREATES and our industry partners have been central to establishing and growing New York’s — and the nation’s — semiconductor R&D ecosystem. This is an historic moment for New York and the semiconductor industry, and we look forward to working closely with Natcast to leverage our resources, capabilities, and know-how to bring this innovative vision to fruition. We are thrilled that the NSTC at NY CREATES will become an even greater beacon of opportunity and collaboration for our partners as we transform today’s ideas into tomorrow’s technologies. Together, we can shape the future and in doing so, bolster America’s economic and national security while cementing our position as a global leader. We are grateful to Governor Hochul, whose unwavering commitment to the industry has positioned NY CREATES to host the NSTC EUV Center, and to Majority Leader Schumer, who not only helped author and lead to passage the CHIPS & Science Act but also made the case for Albany NanoTech’s leadership of the NSTC, all of which makes today’s investment possible.”
“Nearly 20 years ago, ASML shipped one of the world’s first EUV lithography demo tools to Albany, NY. The important role that New York has played in the industrialization of this critical technology is reflected in today’s announcement that the NSTC EUV Accelerator will be based at the Albany NanoTech Complex. The first chips made using High NA, ASML’s most advanced EUV tool, will power the technology of the future: robotics, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, and beyond. As we work with partners across the industry to push technology to new limits, we applaud Senator Schumer and Governor Hochul’s clear commitment to semiconductor innovation in the U.S.,” said Christophe Fouquet, President and CEO of ASML.
“GF applauds the decision to base the NSTC EUV Accelerator in Albany, NY. Building on years of R&D, semiconductor leadership and ecosystem partnerships, this center will stimulate innovation and work to develop the talent our industry needs to continue to grow and succeed. Congratulations to NYCREATES and thank you to Senator Schumer and Governor Hochul for their enduring leadership and commitment to strengthening both the U.S. and NY semiconductor industry,” said Dr. Thomas Caulfield, president and CEO of GlobalFoundries.
“We are thrilled that New York State has been selected as the home of our nation’s first NSTC EUV Center. For over 20 years, IBM and our public-private partners at NY CREATES’s Albany NanoTech Complex have produced many of the technical breakthroughs that have propelled the semiconductor industry forward. Thanks to Sec. Raimondo, Gov. Hochul, Sen. Schumer, and many others, the new Center in Albany will support the United States’ mission to lead global chip innovation,” said Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO of IBM.
“The compelling factors for Micron in choosing New York as home to our megafab are the rich ecosystem in support of research and development, synergistic university partnerships, an exceptional talent pipeline, and strong public support, which fosters an environment to grow semiconductor R&D in the U.S. Micron is pleased to see that the U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded the NY CREATES Albany NanoTech Center the designation of being named the NSTC’s EUV Accelerator. Thanks to the leadership of Majority Leader Schumer and Governor Hochul, we will be able to scale our memory technology leadership and advance next-generation semiconductor R&D,” said Scott DeBoer, Micron’s Executive Vice President, Chief Technology and Products Officer.
“The announcement of the National Semiconductor Technology Center here in New York State is a monumental step forward, not only for Wolfspeed but for the entire U.S. semiconductor industry. This Center will become a cornerstone of innovation, helping drive the research, development, and workforce training critical to meeting the world’s surging demand for advanced semiconductor technology. Thanks to Senator Schumer’s visionary leadership, New York State is now positioned at the forefront of this vital industry, advancing our nation’s technological independence and reinforcing its global leadership,” said Gregg Lowe, CEO of Wolfspeed.
THIS HAS BEEN A YEARS-LONG EFFORT BY SCHUMER TO LAND THE NSTC IN THE CAPITAL REGION
Schumer has worked for years to highlight Albany NanoTech and the Capital Region’s ability to lead the country’s semiconductor research and development efforts. In December 2020, after Schumer worked with key stakeholders across the semiconductor industry, including key partners at Albany NanoTech like IBM to develop the federal CHIPS programs, including the NSTC, he successfully authorized these programs in law as part of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act.
In addition to directly highlighting Albany NanoTech to President Biden, Schumer has brought top government officials to the Capital Region to promote Albany NanoTech as a major hub for the NSTC. In July 2021 prior to the passage of the CHIPS & Science Law, Schumer brought Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to Albany to show that Albany is a global leader in semiconductor research and development. Schumer brought Commerce Deputy Secretary Don Graves to tour Albany NanoTech’s facility in January 2022 and National Economic Council Director Lael Brainard toured the facility in February 2024 after Schumer’s invitation. In 2023, Schumer additionally brought Albany Nanotech head David Anderson as his personal guest to President Biden’s 2023 State of the Union to highlight the facility and leadership.
Schumer has also promoted Albany NanoTech while meeting with both semiconductor industry and international leaders. Schumer highlighted Albany NanoTech when pitching Micron to locate their massive $100+ billion megafab project in Upstate NY, which Micron said was a critical factor in their selection of Central NY. Schumer also secured a commitment for South Korea to partner with Albany Nanotech on research, pushed for increased collaboration on semiconductor R&D between Japan and the United States, pitched Albany NanoTech to major Japanese chip suppliers for further investment, and met with the leadership of Belgium’s imec on multiple occasions to discuss ways Albany NanoTech and imec can collaborate as the two global leading semiconductor public-private research institutions. Schumer said these international partnerships underscore the ability of Albany NanoTech’s unique and world-renowned assets to help forge deeper ties with allies and partners in building more resilient chip supply chains and encouraging R&D collaboration, a key national security priority of the CHIPS programs, including the NSTC.
Late last year, Schumer and Governor Hochul announced a new $10 billion public-private investment at Albany Nanotech which will help install a High NA EUV lithography machine, the most advanced semiconductor equipment ever made, designed, and manufactured by ASML, at its Albany NanoTech Complex. Schumer said this helps uniquely prepare them to quickly lead the NSTC as one of only two public research institutions in the world home to the new advanced EUV tool. In September 2023, Schumer announced NY CREATES, which leads Albany NanoTech, as one of the first to tap CHIPS funding with a $40 million award through the CHIPS DoD Microelectronics Commons Program to establish a new consortium, known as the Northeast Regional Defense Technology Hub. In September 2024, the consortium received an additional $30 million. Schumer also recently helped secure $4.7 million from the National Science Foundation for NY CREATES to provide workforce training associated with Albany NanoTech. These funds, made possible by a program boosted in the CHIPS & Science Law, will support the establishment of the Education Alliance for Semiconductor Experiential Learning (EASEL) program to help address the growing national demand for a skilled workforce in the semiconductor industry.
ACROSS NEW YORK THE CHIPS & SCIENCE LAW HAS DELIVERED HISTORIC INVESTMENT & IS CREATING THOUSANDS OF GOOD-PAYING JOBS
Thanks to Schumer’s CHIPS & Science Law, Upstate New York has seen a major revival in tech manufacturing. Micron has announced plans for a historic $100+ billion investment to build a cutting-edge memory megafab in Central New York with the support of an over $6 billion preliminary CHIPS agreement. GlobalFoundries plans to invest over $12 billion to expand and construct a second, new state-of-the-art computer chip factory in the Capital Region, with support from a $1.5 billion preliminary CHIPS agreement. Wolfspeed has opened a 200mm silicon carbide fabrication facility in the Mohawk Valley, one of the largest in the world, with a $750 million preliminary CHIPS agreement accelerating their ongoing expansion in the Mohawk Valley and boosting good-paying jobs expected to be created at the Marcy facility. TTM Technologies, a printed circuit board manufacturer, plans to invest up to $130 million to expand its facilities in Onondaga County, supported by federal investment to strengthen domestic supply chains, creating up to 400 good-paying jobs. Menlo Micro will invest $150 million to build their microchip switch manufacturing facility in Tompkins County, creating over 100 new good-paying jobs. In addition, Upstate New York is home to semiconductor supply chain companies like Corning Incorporated, which manufactures glass critical to the microchip industry at its Canton and Fairport, NY plants, and following Schumer’s advocacy, Edwards Vacuum has announced a $300+ million investment to build a dry pump manufacturing facility, made possible by a $18 million preliminary CHIPS agreement, creating 600 good-paying jobs to support the growing chip industry in Western New York. Earlier this year, Schumer also secured a major $40 million in federal funding for the federally-designated “NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub”, one of only 12 awardees nationally, to further position Upstate NY as a semiconductor center for the world.