For the second time in a year and a half, President Joe Biden visited Syracuse on Thursday to tout Micron's coming investment in the region, this time announcing a preliminary agreement between the Department of Commerce and Micron to provide up to $6.14 billion in direct funding to support both Micron’s new semiconductor plant in the town of Clay, as well as another fab in Boise, Idaho.
Biden's visit also coincides with the announcement that Syracuse has been named as one of four “Investing in America Work Hubs.” The others being Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Michigan. It comes after a first round of hubs were designated by the White House, including centers in Phoenix, Arizona, and Columbus, Ohio, that focus on semiconductor training.
The president spoke at the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology.
“Cities like Syracuse are writing the great American comeback story," Biden said, saying Thursday was "a big deal day."
Biden, running for re-election this year, said Micron's investment is the answer many similar manufacturing communities and regions have been hoping for after decades of seeing factories close and jobs move overseas.
That was a big highlight made by other New York officials on Thursday, like Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“This region for so long has dreamed of regaining the prominence and the glory of the yesteryears," Hochul said.
“The future has arrived starting here today. Welcome to the future," she added.
She said Micron's investment will change the psychology of the region. If such a big company is coming to Clay, it perhaps helps people realize their communities matter.
“We’re bringing back hope. President Biden, thank you for bringing hope back to upstate New York. It will forever be changed because of you," Hochul said.
A significant factor in Micron deciding to come the region was the CHIPS and Science Act that Congress passed in 2022, spearheaded by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
"I wrote and crafted the CHIPS and Science Act with Syracuse and Central New York as my north star," Schumer said, adding that “the bill delivers bigger for Central New York than I ever imagined.”
The CHIPS Act was a bipartisan piece of legislation and Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon's presence Thursday and involvement in the process to bring Micron to the region aims to paint the progress of bipartisanship.
"What a story we all have to share. A story about vision. A story about ambition. A story about community that's hungry and alive. A story about bold, bipartisan partnerships," McMahon, a Republican, said. "And from that framework, look at the results. The White Pine business park, the country's biggest megasite right here in Onondaga County."
Those local and state officials also paid homage to Syracuse police officer Michael Jensen and Onondaga County Sheriff Deputy Lt. Michael Hoosock, the two members of law enforcement who were killed in the line of duty last week. The president was set to meet with the families before departing Syracuse.
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