New York, SUNY To Host Development of Next Generation Computer Chip Technology

Agreement Will Create 6,900 Jobs for New York State, 1,550 for SUNY

New York State To Invest $400 Million in UAlbany College for Nanoscale and Science Engineering

Albany – State University of New York Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher today joined New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo for an announcement that New York has entered into investment agreements worth $4.4 billion with five leading international companies to create the next generation of computer chip technology. Investments, to be made over the next five years, will result in the creation and retention of approximately 6,900 jobs, including 1,550 additional high-technology positions at several SUNY sites.

New high tech job distribution will include 450 jobs at the SUNYIT campus in Utica, 800 at UAlbany’s College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) complex in Albany, and 300 at the CNSE Smart System Technology & Commercialization Center in Canandaigua. The remaining 950 high-tech jobs will be located at IBM in Yorktown Heights and East Fishkill.

Chancellor Zimpher said, "I am extremely proud that SUNY is playing such a critical role as part of the extraordinary agreement reached today by Governor Cuomo. This partnership will draw on SUNY's capacity to grow 21st century jobs and train a highly skilled, globally competitive workforce to fill those jobs. I want to commend Governor Cuomo for having the vision to include public higher education in the revitalization of New York's economy."

To support the project, New York State will invest $400 million in the SUNY College for Nanoscale and Science Engineering (CNSE) in Albany, including $100 million for energy efficiency and low cost energy allowances. The state investment in CNSE will be directed entirely to the campus. All tools and equipment acquired through the investment will be owned by CSNE.

SUNY Board Chairman Carl T. Hayden said, “I commend Governor Cuomo for his leadership as New York and SUNY continue to work together to bring jobs to our great state and to keep New York at the forefront of research and innovation as well as workforce and economic development.”  

Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of CNSE, said, "Led by the extraordinary leadership and pioneering vision of Governor Andrew Cuomo, and with the steadfast support and continuing guidance of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, today's announcement is proof positive that New York is firmly established as the global headquarters for the 21st century nanotechnology-driven economy. Harnessing the power of this unique public-private partnership, this investment promises to usher in a new era of high-paying jobs, exceptional educational opportunities, and unparalleled economic growth for all New Yorkers."

SUNYIT President Bjong Wolf Yeigh said, "Thanks to Governor Cuomo’s vision and support of SUNY, SUNYIT and CNSE are realizing Chancellor Zimpher’s vision for public higher education in New York. This announcement demonstrates how investment in SUNY and academic-industry partnerships are a critical economic development engine for all of New York. I congratulate the Governor and the Chancellor for their leadership."

"The University at Albany commends the unwavering leadership and vision of Governor Andrew Cuomo, SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, and Dr. Alain Kaloyeros, as well as our good friends in the State Assembly and State Senate, in partnership with CNSE's extraordinary corporate partners, all of whom played an invaluable role in making today's unprecedented announcement a reality," said University at Albany President George Philip. "An initiative such as this clearly illustrates the strength and power of SUNY to serve as an engine for new discovery, innovation and economic growth as we work together to rebuild the Empire State."

The five companies involved are Intel, IBM, GLOBALFOUNDRIES, TSMC and Samsung. New York State secured the investments in competition with countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

"This unprecedented private investment in New York's economy will create thousands of jobs and make the state the epicenter for the next generation of computer chip technology," Governor Cuomo said. "IBM, which is celebrating 100 years in New York, Intel, which is making its most significant investment in New York, as well as TSMC, Global Foundries and Samsung now recognize that the state is on its way to becoming a premier location for jobs, which is why these companies are making this major investment.”

The agreements mark an historic level of private investment in the nanotechnology sector in New York. Research and development facilities will be located in Albany, Canandaigua, Utica, East Fishkill and Yorktown Heights. In addition, Intel separately agreed to establish its 450mm East Coast Headquarters to support the overall project management in Albany.

The investment in the state is made up of two projects. The first project, which will be led by IBM and its partners, will focus on making the next two generations of computer chips. These new chips will power advanced systems of all sizes, including, among other things computers and national security applications. This new commitment by IBM brings its total investment in chip technology in New York to more than $10 billion in the last decade.

The second project, which is a joint effort by Intel, IBM, TSMC, Global Foundries and Samsung, will focus on transforming existing 300mm technology into the new 450mm technology. The new technology will produce more than twice the number of chips processed on today's 300 mm wafers thus lowering costs to deliver future generations of technology with greater value and lower environmental impact.

This investment will have other beneficial economic impacts in New York. The project will include a private "Made in NY" initiative to support the potential purchase of $400 million in certain tools and equipment from companies around New York State to create, attract, and retain manufacturers and suppliers across the state.

In addition, the companies will support a $15 million fund to increase the role of minority and women owned businesses. These technology developments may facilitate the possibility of building a 450mm plant in New York State. These plants are projected to cost in excess of $10 billion each.

Semiconductors are central to modern devices from computers and cell phones to automobiles and airplanes and the industry is the cornerstone of the "innovation economy." Semiconductors are the nation's largest export industry and generate billions of dollars in revenue.

New York State's investments in the semiconductor industry began in 1988 with the establishment of the advanced semiconductor program at UAlbany, under the SUNY Graduate Research Initiative created by Governor Mario Cuomo and was cemented in 1993 with the establishment of the Center for Advanced Technology at UAlbany by Governor Mario Cuomo, which later became the basis for the College of Nanoscale Engineering.

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating more than 467,000 students in more than 7,500 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses with nearly 3 million alumni around the globe. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu 

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