Governor Hochul Announces Next Round of $500 Million Green Chips Community Investment Fund Now Open

Governor Kathy Hochul announced today that proposals are being accepted for the next round of the historic public-private Green CHIPS Community Investment Fund (CIF). The fund represents a $500 million partnership between Empire State Development (ESD) and Micron Technology, Inc. designed to maximize the regional impact of Micron's investment in Central New York while expanding access to opportunities created by the project. Forged by Governor Hochul as a core component of Micron's participation in the Green CHIPS program, this fund ensures that the region's growth translates directly into housing, workforce development, and job training for all Central New Yorkers.

"The collaborative Green CHIPS Community Investment Fund is working to guarantee that all New Yorkers will benefit as the result of Micron's game changing investment," Governor Hochul said. "Opening up the next round of this transformative initiative will further cement our valued partnership with Micron and local stakeholders, creating extraordinary opportunities in Central New York."

All entities seeking Green CHIPS Community Investment Fund grant funding must submit an initial Letter of Intent through the Consolidated Funding Application portal. Initial proposals will be received and reviewed on an ongoing basis by funding partners. Letter of Intent submissions will be reviewed by ESD and Micron and those that align with program goals will be invited to submit a full application. Additionally, Empire State Development, in partnership with Micron, will hold a workshop to educate potential applicants about the Community Investment Fund application process on Wednesday, October 7. Register and learn more about future sessions here.

The Fund was established to maximize the benefits of Micron's $100 billion investment in New York State, which represents a generational opportunity for Central New York. Micron's presence will create 50,000 jobs, including 9,000 new, high-paying Micron jobs and thousands of high-skilled construction jobs. When complete, the complex will include clean room space at approximately 2.4 million square feet, the size of nearly 40 football fields.

In April 2023, the Micron Community Engagement Committee (CEC) was formed to identify community priorities and create a framework for directing investments in areas such as workforce, education, community assets, and housing. The CEC, with input from more than 12,000 central New Yorkers, developed the Community Priorities Document - a living document which serves as a guiding strategy to ensure widespread benefits from the Community Investment Fund.

To date, Micron has committed more than $50 million to New York schools, teachers, childcare providers, nonprofits, veterans and other community organizations. Early community investments include Onondaga Community College's Micron Cleanroom Simulation Lab, the Syracuse STEAM School, Syracuse University's D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families Semiconductor Hub, the YMCA of Central New York's early childhood programs, the MOST and other STEM programming across the region.

In March 2026, Governor Hochul announced that Micron had awarded more than $35 million in community investments for Central New York as construction began on what will be the largest semiconductor manufacturing facility in the United States. This includes a $30 million contribution to the recently announced $150 million Housing CNY Fund. Additionally, the state is providing $8.5 million for initiatives and programs that will strengthen housing, workforce development, job training and creation, and economic growth within the region in preparation for the Micron project.

Micron Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer and President of the Micron Foundation, April Arnzen said: "We are proud to be part of the transformative growth in New York, and the Green CHIPS Community Investment Fund is a key part of that

commitment, representing Micron's priorities in workforce development, education, housing, childcare and transportation. In partnership with Governor Hochul, these initiatives will help build lasting opportunity and prosperity for generations of Central New Yorkers. By listening directly to community members, the proposals will help identify the locations where grant funding will deliver the greatest impact. We are committed to sharing the benefits of Micron's historic growth in Central New York broadly throughout the community."

Micron Community Engagement Committee Co-Chairs Melanie Littlejohn and Tim Penix said, "This fund was built on the voices of more than 12,000 Central New Yorkers who told us what their families and neighborhoods need to share in this historic moment. Opening this next round continues a commitment made to our community: that Micron's investment would be matched by investment in the people who live here. We encourage organizations to submit a Letter of Intent and join us at the October 7 workshop."

The $100 billion investment by Micron is the largest private investment in New York's history and will be the largest semiconductor facility in the United States. By the end of the decade, one in four U.S. made chips will be produced within 350 miles of Upstate New York - no other region in the country will manufacture a greater share.

Micron's presence in Central New York represents transformative growth in Upstate New York including:

• The creation of 9,000 new, good paying jobs at all levels of education on site
• Up to 50,000 new permanent jobs in the region over the next 30 years and thousands of construction jobs over the next 20 years to build the campus
• An additional $9.5 billion in regional economic output annually starting in 2027, ramping up to more than $16 billion annually by 2041
• An additional $3.3 billion in annual disposable income for Central New Yorkers by 2035, averaging $5.4 billion annually in 30 years
• Nearly $20 billion in revenue for state and local governments to improve schools and other public services
• Micron's project is expected to attract upwards of 84,000 people to New York - the vast majority of them (76,000+) to the Central New York Region. To handle this growth, planned investments include long-term infrastructure investments to support regional growth, including expanded water, wastewater, gas, electric and transportation systems
• Dedicated community investments, including the Community Investment Fund and the flagship $200 million ON-RAMP workforce development program on Syracuse's South Side, are expanding access to workforce training and career pathways, helping connect all Central New Yorkers to opportunities created by Micron's historic investment.

Semiconductors are the foundation of the modern world, powering technologies and innovation that drive U.S. economic growth, national security and global competitiveness. They make everything from AI to everyday devices possible, serving the smartphone, automotive, data center, industrial and aerospace and defense sectors. The industry directly employs more than 300,000 people in the U.S. and supports more than 1.8 million additional domestic jobs. Semiconductors are a top five U.S. export, and the industry is the number one contributor to labor productivity, supporting improvements to the effectiveness and efficiency of virtually every economic sector - from farming to manufacturing.

New York is home to a robust semiconductor industry of 156 semiconductor and supply chain companies that employ more than 34,000 New Yorkers. Under Governor Hochul's leadership, the industry is continuing to expand with major investments from semiconductor businesses and supply chain companies like Micron, GlobalFoundries, AMD, Edwards Vacuum, Menlo Micro and TTM Technologies to expand their presence in New York.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Thanks to Governor Hochul's Green CHIPS Community Investment Fund, the Micron project is already generating dividends in Central New York. Our continued efforts to encourage, support and drive growth in the domestic semiconductor industry, and that the economic benefits extend regionally to more New Yorkers."

Senator Charles Schumer said, "This new round of $500 million in community investments is further proof that Micron's transformational $100+ billion project is full steam ahead in Central New York. With Micron's first concrete pour earlier this summer, this new investment will ensure communities are ready for the thousands of good-paying jobs this project will create. I encourage local Central New York organizations to apply for the next round of Green CHIPS awards. Governor Hochul has always been an excellent partner in bringing Micron and other new investments to Upstate New York, and I look forward to continuing to work with her to deliver even more federal investments needed to create more jobs and support the success of all communities."

Representative John W. Mannion said, "Green CHIPS helped bring Micron to Central New York, and I was proud to be the prime cosponsor in the State Senate and work with Governor Hochul to pass it into law. We included the $500 million Community Investment Fund to make sure Micron's investment benefits communities across the region through housing, workforce training, and other locally driven projects. I encourage local organizations to apply for these funds and to please contact my office if they need help with the process."

State Senator Rachel May said, "Making funding available through the Green Chips Community Investment Fund is a smart way to attract more tech companies to Central New York and build on Micron's $100 billion investment. This will create more jobs and strengthen the local economy in towns and villages across the region. Thank you to Governor Hochul for her leadership and for helping us realize the full potential of this once-in-a-generation opportunity"

State Senator Chris Ryan said, "Micron's investment is bringing tremendous economic opportunity to Central New York, and the Green CHIPS Community Investment Fund is an important part of making sure that opportunity reaches people in every corner of our community. Investments in housing, workforce development, education and childcare will help our region grow while giving Central New Yorkers the tools they need to benefit from the jobs and opportunities being created. I look forward to seeing the next round of projects strengthen our communities and prepare us for continued growth in the near future."

Assemblymember Pamela Hunter said, "Micron's investment presents an extraordinary opportunity, but we must ensure that growth benefits the people who already call Central New York home. The Green CHIPS Community Investment Fund will help address critical needs like housing, childcare, and workforce development. I thank Governor Hochul for her continued commitment to ensuring our region grows responsibly and our communities share in that success."

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said, "Onondaga County has been proud to lead the effort to bring Micron to Central New York, and today's announcement reflects just how far our partnership has come. The Green CHIPS Community Investment Fund is exactly the kind of collaborative, forward looking tool that ensures this once in a generation investment benefits every corner of our community. We're grateful for the strong support of our federal and state partners, and we look forward to continuing this work together as we build new opportunities, strengthen our workforce, and secure long-term prosperity for the people of Central New York."

City of Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens said, "The next round of the Green CHIPS Community Investment Fund marks another major step in ensuring Micron's historic investment delivers meaningful, lasting benefits for the people of Syracuse and Central New York. By supporting locally driven projects in housing, workforce development, and other community assets, we are strengthening the foundation for inclusive growth across the region. I thank Governor Hochul for continuing this fund, which empowers Central New Yorkers not just to take part in the opportunities ahead, but to help shape them."

CenterState CEO Chief Executive Officer Rob Simpson said, "Micron's investment presents Central New York with a generational opportunity, and the Green CHIPS Community Investment Fund is a key part of making sure its benefits reach every corner of our community. The Fund allows us to invest in the critical systems a growing region depends on, from housing and childcare to the nonprofit partners who serve our neighbors every day. Those priorities were set by more than 12,000 local voices during the Community Priorities Document (CPD) engagement process, and CenterState CEO is proud to have helped lead that work. We are grateful to Gov. Hochul, Empire State Development and Micron for their commitment to whole-community prosperity, and we look forward to continuing to support these investments across our region."

For more information about Micron, visit: https://www.micron.com/.

For more information about the Micron Community Engagement Process, visit:https://esd.ny.gov/micron-community-investment-commitments.

About Empire State Development

Empire State Development is New York's chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state's 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state's world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.