Silver And Capital District Assembly Members Announce Passage Of Bill Securing SEMATECH's Future In New York State

Speaker's Conversations With Officials Of World-Renown Computer Chip Consortium Results In 450 Additional Jobs To Tech Valley Area

Speaker Silver welcomes International SEMATECH’s decision to move its headquarters to New York State from Austin, Texas at a Capitol news conference. Silver was joined by Governor Eliot Spitzer and representatives of the Assembly’s Capital District delegation, SEMATECH and the Center of Excellence in Nanoelectronics and Nanotechnology at the University at Albany.

In announcing the measure's passage, which aims to provide a major boost to New York State as a globally recognized leader in high-tech research and commercialization, Silver commended Assembly members Jack McEneny, Majority Leader Ron Canestrari, Paul Tonko, Robert Reilly and Timothy Gordon for their leadership in supporting the International SEMATECH project and the development of Tech Valley as an emerging center for nanotechnology.

The bill (A.8359) would provide $300 million in funding for five years to support International SEMATECH, the research and development unit of SEMATECH, a consortium of the world's major microchip manufacturers. The company, which has a partnership with the University at Albany Nano College, will provide a five-year, $410 million financial commitment to expand its Capital District operations with new research initiatives. The project will increase the company's New York workforce by 450 jobs over three years and make available $25 million in research funds for other colleges and universities in the state.

"All our conversations with the International SEMATECH officials have been about the benefits of New York State, and I'm pleased that they made the smart decision to grow in our state. They realized that the Capital District has the right stuff, a place where they can be successful in the highly competitive global market of micro-computer chip manufacturing. Under the skillful vision of Albany NanoTechnology's Dr. Alain Kaloyeros, the Assembly's more than 12-year commitment and investment in a high-technology agenda has led to the development of Tech Valley and today's announcement. SEMATECH's decision recognizes the vibrant and cutting-edge synergy that has evolved in the Capital District region. This dynamic public/private research and manufacturing partnership has propelled this area to become the world-class, high-tech center the Assembly knew that it could be more than a decade ago," said Silver.

"International SEMATECH's decision to build on the investment they made in 2002 when they first came to the Albany area is a victory for the state's taxpayers. They're the ones who supported the funding of these new technology ventures and urged the state to take a new direction in economic development. Now we can reap the benefits of their patience and look forward to the job opportunities that will come to our area," said McEneny.

"It's always good news when high-paying jobs, requiring skilled employees comes to town. I look forward to the entrepreneurial spirit and the international notoriety Tech Valley will gain in the research and development world of computer manufacturing as a result of International SEMATECH's expansion here," said Canestrari.

"With the presence of the world's leader in bridging strategic R&D to manufacturing for the nanoelectronics industry now in our backyard, I am confident that this will spur the further development of high-tech manufacturing plants in the Capital District and the Mohawk Valley," said Tonko.

Silver answers questions from reporters about his discussions with officials of International SEMATECH that led to the company, one of the world’s leading microchip manufacturers, deciding to relocate its headquarters to New York State. Silver was joined by (From Left) Governor Eliot Spitzer, International SEMATECH CEO Michael Polcari, Albany Nano Technology’s Dr. Alain Kaloyeros, Majority Leader Ron Canestrari and Assembly members Jack McEneny, Paul Tonko, Bob Reilly and Timothy Gordon.

"This is another example of companies from across the nation and world that are recognizing the exceptional work-force graduating from our local universities. With today's announcement New York is again truly the Empire State. With the expansion of International SEMATECH, we have planted the seeds so that more of our young people will find employment opportunities right here in the Capital District," said Gordon.

Silver noted that the economic impact of the International SEMATECH expansion will be felt well beyond the Albany area, affecting more than 500 partner, supplier and contractor companies from the Capital Region, Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes, New York City, Long Island, Niagara Frontier, Central Leatherstocking Region, The Catskills, and Adirondacks. In addition, the 4,500 jobs that are related to these types of high-tech companies that will either be retained or created because of International SEMATECH will pay an average annual wage of $81,000.

Under the speaker's leadership, the Assembly high-technology investment includes support of nanotechnology research and development at the University of Albany that has continued for more than a decade:

1997-Assembly invests in Center of Environmental Science Technology and Management building (CESTM).

1998-Assembly makes $5 million funding commitment to establish National Focus Center in Interconnects to attract semiconductor industry headquartered at CESTM Building.

2004-Assembly economic development funds provide a $2 million investment in the Center for Construction Trades Training, a partnership with M+WZander (global leader in cleanroom design and construction), CNSE, Watervliet Arsenal Partnership and local trade unions. The program retrained 400 trade workers in new skills specific to cleanroom safety, protocol and manufacturing.

2005-Assembly supports $600 million in funding for the International Venture for Nanolithography (INVENT) project, which includes $100 million for research and development in leading-edge computer chip development.

2006-$30 million in Assembly funding is invested in Vistec Lithography, the first global high-tech company to move their entire operation to Albany. Vistec Lithography's arrival establishes the Capital District area and New York State as a leader in nanotechnology. This initiative provides new investment capital, additional jobs and further education of a high-tech workforce.