SCHUMER BRINGS COMMERCE SECRETARY GINA RAIMONDO TO MEET WITH IBM & OTHER ALBANY NANOTECH COMPLEX STAKEHOLDERS & DISCUSS CUTTING-EDGE SEMICONDUCTOR R&D HAPPENING IN ALBANY; SENATOR SAYS ALBANY IDEAL FOR FUTURE NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY CENTER THAT WOULD BRING 1,000+ JOBS TO CAPITAL REGION

07.22.21

Schumer-Led U.S. Innovation & Competition Act Includes $10.5B For Semiconductor R&D Programs At Commerce, Including Establishing National Semiconductor Technology Center 
Senator Says Albany Nanotech Complex Is Ideal For NSTC Between Cutting-Edge R&D By Companies Like IBM, Applied Materials, & Existing Partnerships and Infrastructure 
Schumer To Sec Raimondo: Albany Is The Future For Semiconductors!

Following more than a year of major advocacy to expand domestic semiconductor manufacturing, research and development (R&D), and jobs and make historic investments in overall federal R&D and innovation, which eventually culminated in Senate passage of the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act that will invest $52 billion in the domestic semiconductor industry, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer brought Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to Albany this week to meet with stakeholders about the Albany Nanotech Complex and witness the cutting-edge semiconductor research and development currently being conducted. The secretary met with representatives from NY CREATES (which oversees the Complex), IBM, Applied Materials, and the New York State Economic Development Council.

Schumer said that his U.S. Innovation and Competition Act included $10.5 billion for the Department of Commerce to carry out semiconductor research and development programs, including establishing a National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC). The senator explained that, “Given the major research and development facility already in place on the Complex and IBM’s prominence in semiconductor research and development – including their recent development of the world’s first chip with 2 nanometer technology at their Nanotech Complex facility – Albany is the ideal location for the new NSTC.”

“Albany is already a global leader in semiconductor research and development, powering the technology of tomorrow with revolutionary semiconductor tech that secures our national security and establishes U.S. prominence in microelectronics,” said Senator Schumer. “That is why I brought Secretary Gina Raimondo to Albany: to hear directly from local stakeholders about cutting-edge semiconductor research and development that will revolutionize the whole industry, being conducted right here in the Capital Region. Establishing the Albany Nanotech Complex as a National Semiconductor Technology Center would cement the Capital Region as the epicenter of global semiconductor R&D for years to come, bring billions of dollars in federal research and development to the area and add over 1,000 jobs to the Capital District.”

Schumer said, “Selecting the Nanotech Complex – which is the most advanced, publicly-owned semiconductor R&D facility in the U.S. and one of the most advanced sites in the world – as the NSTC would establish the region as the nation’s leading hub for next generation chip R&D.”

“We applaud Senator Schumer and Secretary Raimondo’s efforts to ensure the U.S. not only retains, but strengthens its position in the semiconductor industry in the increasingly competitive global economy,” said Paul Kelly, Chief Operating Officer for NY CREATES, who participated in the discussion. “The Albany Nanotech Complex is the most advanced R&D site and semiconductor ecosystem in the nation and it will continue to play a critical role in moving the industry and economy forward, which is good news for the Capital Region. Between industry partnerships with companies like IBM, Applied Materials and TEL, and SUNY’s strong foundation in academia and workforce development, the Albany Nanotech Complex is the perfect site for the NSTC and its success will generate significant economic opportunities for New York.”

“IBM commends Senator Schumer and Secretary Raimondo for their focus on reinvigorating America’s competitive edge in semiconductor innovation and manufacturing,” said Dr. Dario Gil, Senior Vice President and Director of IBM Research, who participated in the discussion. “The Albany Research Center is home to the most advanced collaborative semiconductor R&D ecosystem in the United States, and offers an ideal environment from which to build and scale the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC). As a proud member of this ecosystem, IBM is prepared to take a leadership role to make the NSTC a success.”

“We thank Senator Schumer, Secretary Raimondo and the Biden administration for their vision and commitment to significant new investments in advanced technologies and U.S.-based facilities like the Albany Nanotech Complex,” said SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras. “Their efforts are a matter of strategic global importance, and the State University of New York—the nation’s largest comprehensive system of higher education—in collaboration with industry and government partners, is ready to take the next steps to bring that vision to life. SUNY has established a world-class operation in Albany, where we’ve seen major R&D breakthroughs, academic achievement, and the development of a successful workforce development pipeline. The Albany Nanotech Complex has all the ingredients needed to significantly advance the nation’s semiconductor R&D, and SUNY alongside our research universities, private industry partners, and national network of higher education allies is ready to help bring the NSTC to fruition in New York.”

In total, the NSTC is estimated to create 1,000+ jobs in the Albany region and could bring $2 billion or more in federal funding for expanded R&D facilities and operations. The NSTC is expected to bring together public, private, and university partners to develop and prototype experimental semiconductor technologies with access to the most leading-edge equipment for R&D. In June, Schumer met with IBM’s CEO Arvind Krishna to reaffirm his commitment to passing the $52 billion in federal semiconductor incentives into law and fighting to secure the NSTC for Albany once the funding has passed into law. Schumer also announced in March a new partnership between IBM and Intel that will bring hundreds of jobs to the Albany region to conduct new semiconductor research in advanced semiconductor technology, further positioning the region as a preeminent global hub for semiconductor R&D.

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Source: Charles E. SCHUMER News Room | Press Releases 

NY CREATES ANNOUNCES DOUGLAS A. GROSE APPOINTED CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Contact: Jason Conwall | [email protected] | (518) 956-7373

The New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering and Science (NY CREATES) today announced the appointment of Dr. Douglas A. Grose, as Chair of the Board of Directors. Dr. Grose replaces Dr. Bahgat G. Sammakia, Distinguished Professor and Vice President for Research at Binghamton University, who held the position since its inception in December 2019.

Dr. Grose’s new role coincides with his retirement as President at NY CREATES, following a career spanning decades in semiconductors and advanced microelectronics. During this transition, the search for a president will begin immediately.

“While the decision to retire is a difficult one, I am proud of the work we’ve done to grow our organization and look forward to remaining involved during this exciting time for our industry,” said Douglas Grose, Ph.D. “During the past three years, NY CREATES has worked closely with our partners to successfully innovate and accelerate technologies and generate economic opportunities in New York, reaching a number of milestones, strengthening our R&D partnerships, and facilitating multiple economic development initiatives across the state. We are thankful to Bahgat for his leadership and guidance during the formation of NY CREATES, and he has continued to be an integral member of the team throughout his time as chair.”

“I’m grateful to have worked with an array of smart and innovative people around New York State during my time with NY CREATES,” said Bahgat Sammakia, Ph.D. “I remain committed to advancing research that has a transformational impact on society, and I look forward to supporting meaningful R&D initiatives in my capacity as Vice President for Research at Binghamton University.”

During Dr. Grose and Dr. Sammakia’s tenure as President and Chair, respectively, of NY CREATES, the organization was formally established and assumed management of the Albany Nanotech Complex, the most advanced, publicly-owned 300mm wafer R&D facility in the United States and one of the most advanced sites in the world. Under their leadership, the organization has achieved stability, grown its footprint within the semiconductor and emerging technologies industries, and established major new partnerships, including with IBM, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron (TEL), and Cree | Wolfspeed, which is building the world’s first 200mm silicon carbide power electronics chip facility in Marcy, NY.  In addition to the many R&D partnerships, NY CREATES also helped to drive several successful New York economic development initiatives, including Danfoss Silicon Power expanding to the Quad-C facility in Utica; Norsk Titanium establishing operations in Plattsburgh; NexGen Power Systems in Dewitt; Athenex to Dunkirk; and many other impactful programs.

Dr. Sammakia’s decision to step down from the board has no impact on his roles at Binghamton University.

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler said, “Doug Grose has brought leadership, integrity and a mastery of the semiconductor industry to NY CREATES and ESD is grateful for the productive partnership we have built growing high-tech manufacturing and R & D in New York State. Under Doug’s guidance, we have attracted and retained industry leaders such as Cree, TEL, Applied Materials, IBM and others to the state and we are very fortunate that Doug will be remaining in a leadership role on the NY CREATES Board.  Additionally, I would like to thank Dr. Bahgat Sammakia for his dedication and knowledge as the inaugural Board Chair of NY CREATES and I wish him well on his future endeavors.”

Larry Smith, President of Tokyo Electron US Holdings said, “All of us at TEL appreciate Doug’s many contributions to the semiconductor industry, especially his steady leadership which allowed the NY CREATES ecosystem to continue its pursuit of world-class technology development. We value the deep partnership between NY CREATES and TEL, and we look forward to working closely with Doug and his team in his new role as Chairman of the NY CREATES Board of Directors.”

Mukesh Khare, Vice President of Hybrid Cloud, IBM Research said, “On behalf of IBM, we thank Dr. Grose for his transformational leadership as president of NY CREATES, and congratulate him on becoming the next Chair of the Board of Directors. During his tenure, IBM and NY CREATES launched a multi-billion dollar AI hardware center in Albany, NY, which has become a hub for innovation in the U.S. and around the world. We look forward to continuing our partnership with him and NY CREATES to grow and accelerate the semiconductor ecosystem in Albany.” 

Dr. Om Nalamasu, SVP and CTO, Applied Materials, Inc. and President, Applied Ventures, LLC said, “We thank Doug for his many contributions to the semiconductor ecosystem and we especially appreciate his leadership in helping drive our partnership with NY CREATES and Empire State Development to establish Applied’s META Center in Upstate New York.  We look forward to working with Doug in his new role to further build on our collaboration with NY CREATES and New York State.”

Dr. Tod A. Laursen, SUNY Poly Acting President and Chair of the AIM Photonics Leadership Council said, “On behalf of SUNY Polytechnic Institute, as well as the American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics, I am thankful for the service of both Drs. Grose and Sammakia, who helped NY CREATES navigate fast-changing global circumstances while continuing to foster critical high-tech partnerships to support workforce and public-private research opportunities across New York State.”

Harvey Stenger, President of Binghamton University said, “Bahgat Sammakia’s leadership and work ethic have enabled him to contribute to many significant projects as a researcher and as an administrator during the past several years. I appreciate his efforts to bolster entrepreneurship across New York through his work with NY CREATES, and I know he’ll continue to make a difference as an educator, inventor and researcher.”

 

About NY CREATES

NY CREATES serves as New York’s bridge to the advanced electronics industry. As the primary resource for fostering public-private and academic partnerships in New York State, NY CREATES attracts and leads industry connected innovation and commercialization projects that secure significant investment, advance R&D in emerging technologies, and generate the jobs of tomorrow. NY CREATES runs some of the most advanced facilities in the world, boasts more than 2,700 industry experts and faculty, and manages public and private investments of more than $20 billion – placing it at the global epicenter of high-tech innovation and commercialization.

Learn more at www.ny-creates.org.

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