Blog

The Buffalo Niagara Partnership hosted the NY SMART I-Corridor Opportunity Exchange, bringing together manufacturers, business leaders, educators and economic development partners to explore how Upstate New York is becoming a national hub for semiconductor manufacturing and advanced technology.

The event on Dec. 8 highlighted transformative projects that are reshaping the region:

• Micron Technology shared updates on its Clay mega fab, a once-in-a-generation investment creating thousands of jobs and generating significant supplier opportunities for regional businesses.
• Edwards Vacuum discussed its state-of-the-art Genesee County facility, emphasizing the local sourcing of components and manufacturing capacity, which creates immediate pathways for suppliers in Western New York.
• APEX Accelerators provided guidance for businesses looking to navigate government contracting, helping them become “supplier-ready” for projects connected to the semiconductor supply chain.

Attendees also learned how the NY SMART I-Corridor is equipping companies to participate in high-value manufacturing opportunities in three key focus areas:

• Supply chain support that helps businesses integrate into the semiconductor ecosystem and access critical materials, suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• World-class research and development assets at institutions such as the University at Buffalo, Rochester Institute of Technology and Cornell University that enable companies to innovate, test and scale advanced technologies.
• Workforce development programs that train technicians, assemblers and engineers to meet the growing demand for skilled talent in semiconductor and advanced manufacturing industries.

Presentations from NY SMART I-Corridor project leads helped businesses understand exactly how to plug into this ecosystem, from early-stage supplier opportunities to long-term R&D collaborations.

“This event was about building connections that will drive long-term economic transformation,” said Grant Loomis, President and COO of the BNP. “By helping local businesses understand where they fit, and providing access to resources and partnerships, we are ensuring Upstate New York can fully seize this historic opportunity in semiconductor manufacturing.”

The NY SMART I-Corridor is projected to create 9,000+ new jobs, generate $5.2 billion in annual investment and add $18 billion in regional GDP over the next decade. Events such as the Opportunity Exchange help businesses understand where they fit and how to engage in the regional semiconductor ecosystem.

For more information on the NY SMART I-Corridor and upcoming events, visit nysmarticorridor.com.

Thank you to title sponsor NBT Bank and supporting sponsor Erie County Industrial Development Agency (ECIDA), as well as our presenters and partners who joined us at BNP @ the cobblestone for the Opportunity Exchange.

Your next read:

• In The Buffalo News: Edwards Vacuum, Micron fuel NY’s semiconductor ambitions for 'tech hub'