Micron Technology shares the latest on its historic CNY investment in third town hall
SYRACUSE, NY (WSYR-TV) – It wasn’t the first or second time Micron executives sat in front of a roomful of downtown New York neighbors to answer questions about their historic $100 billion investment. This time, they sat in the Henniger High School cafeteria to talk about the project and its impact on the city of Syracuse and the Syracuse City School District.
“We feel even better now than before with the decision we made because every time this community opens its arms, welcomes us and wants to work with us on all levels,”
Manish Bhatia, Executive Vice President of Global Operations, Micron Technology
Micron executives were joined Tuesday night by Onondaga County executive Ryan McMahon, Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and Syracuse Schools Superintendent Anthony Davis, along with many other local officials.
An update on the timeline of the 20+ year investment was given, with Micron executives saying that the design phase for the mega fabs has begun. They also shared their work in the environmental approval process with the state and federal government. Micron said construction of the first phase of the project is scheduled for late next year, with the first factory expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Onondaga County Executive McMahon says the county is finalizing a comprehensive statewide plan to be submitted to the Onondaga County Legislature in the coming weeks. He also said the county is continuing to make the White Pine Commerce Park ready for construction.
EMPOWERING A WORKFORCE:
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh emphasized the city’s commitment to strengthening the workforce Micron needs through the Syracuse Build Pathways to Apprenticeship Program.
“We’re taking city dwellers through these programs and into the jobs that will have opportunities for them through Micron and many others for the foreseeable future,”
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh (I)
Micron says the first workers hired will be construction workers, followed by technicians and engineers.
HOUSING, TRANSPORT, EDUCATION:
Mayor Walsh also shared the city’s plan to ramp up housing developments for the expected influx of workers, a priority in Gov. Hochul’s recently announced budget proposal that earmarks $10 million to help revitalize Syracuse’s Fifteenth District.
“The new Fifteenth Ward project has been in development for years, it will involve the replacement of 1000 units of existing public housing and will then create hundreds of more housing units at different income levels which we believe will help meet Micron’s demand to cover.” Mayor Walsh announced.
The development of fast bus service in partnership with Centro was also discussed during Tuesday night’s town hall meeting, with plans to create a direct route from the central Centro hub to the Clay facility.
Micron’s investment in local education was also a hot topic Tuesday night, particularly the city’s STEAM School under construction.
Micron Technology and the county will host another Town Hall on Wednesday, February 8th in Fayetteville in the Wellwood Middle School Auditorium. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.