What an amazing day for #GreaterROC and our entire region. Today, U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Economic Development Administration announced that the Rochester-Buffalo-Syracuse corridor's NY SMART I-Corridor was among the first in the nation to receive implementation funding to bring our tech hub vision to life.
This journey began almost three years ago, when we set out to build a new, coordinated vision -- one focused on advancing semiconductor production and supply chain -- to leverage the opportunity created by the fact that over the next decade one in four US-made semiconductor chips will be produced within 350 miles of our region. No other place in the country will account for a greater share of domestic production.
The targeted investments this funding enables -- in workforce, innovation, and advanced manufacturing -- position our region to lead the way in end-to-end semiconductor manufacturing. And in so doing, expand economic opportunity for all.
Today's announcement validates the power of working collaboratively. The power of partnership. When we work together, WE WIN.
I'm indebted to the 100 organizations that came together to bring this vision to life -- and in the process, created a groundbreaking new framework for regional collaboration. First among them are my leadership colleagues Robert M. Simpson, Dottie Gallagher, and Ben Sio from CenterState CEO and Buffalo Niagara Partnership.
I'm especially grateful to Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, whose vision created this opportunity and whose relentless push made our bid the most compelling anywhere in the country. Also, to Rep. Joseph Morelle, whose fierce and consistent advocacy ensured our bid rose to the top.
To our partners in state government: Gov. Kathy Hochul and the team at Empire State Development, whose strategic guidance has been instrumental.
To President Biden, Secretary Raimondo and her team, U.S. Economic Development Administration, and the entire CHIPS program office: We are enormously grateful for the confidence you've placed in our bid and our ability to advance both national security and economic growth. And we are ready to deliver.
Over the past year, we've gone from 400 initial applicants ... to 31 finalists ... and now have risen to the top. It is affirmation that this place MATTERS. Don't let anyone tell you we can't do big things in this region, or that we can't compete with any place in the world. We're already doing it, it's happening all around us, and this announcement validates what we've known all along: Our region is poised to lead the way for generations to come.
As the *only* funded tech hub in semiconductors, the federal government has made a significant bet on our region. It's the latest proof point that we're flipping the script, meeting the moment, and creating transformational opportunity.
I am so proud to call this place home. I couldn't be more energized about our shared future. And I am excited to get to work.