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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