A recent episode of WCNY’s On the Money highlighted how Broome County is preparing its workforce, infrastructure and communities for new opportunities tied to the growth of New York’s semiconductor industry.
Micron’s historic investment in Central New York will create opportunities that extend far beyond its Syracuse-area campus. As semiconductor suppliers look for locations near the new facility, Broome County is preparing to compete for those investments, along with the jobs and economic growth that come with them.
During the segment, local leaders highlighted the combination of assets that position Broome County to support this growing industry, including its strategic location along Interstate 81, advanced electronics expertise, educational institutions and a legacy manufacturing workforce.
“Investments like that can’t happen in a bubble or in a vacuum. Micron is going to need a robust ecosystem around it to make it successful,” said Stacey Duncan, executive director of The Agency. “For us in the Southern Tier and in Broome County, it’s a tremendous opportunity to work quickly and intentionally to build out the proper sites and infrastructure.”
Preparing for that opportunity means investing in more than industrial space. Semiconductor manufacturers and suppliers will need workers with technical knowledge, hands-on experience and widely applicable skills such as problem-solving, communication, and adaptability.
The episode also featured Matt Sheehan of Broome-Tioga BOCES, who discussed how the organization is helping students and adult learners build those skills through programs in welding, electrical work, HVAC, advanced manufacturing and other high-demand fields. Industry-recognized certifications, including welding and workplace-safety credentials, can also give graduates a direct pathway into new career opportunities.
Not every semiconductor-related position will require a four-year degree. The industry needs engineers and researchers, but it also depends on assemblers, equipment technicians, maintenance professionals, and thousands of workers supporting operations in areas such as logistics, administration and human resources.
Broome County is also preparing the broader community for growth. The county is supporting new housing construction and investing in parks, cultural institutions and other quality-of-life assets that help companies attract and retain employees. At the same time, The Agency is advancing plans for the Broome Technology Park while positioning existing industrial properties, including the former IBM Huron Campus, to accommodate more immediate opportunities.
The Broome Technology Park recently reached a major milestone with the completion of its environmental review, providing greater predictability as the project moves toward future infrastructure development. The goal is to create adaptable, development-ready space for advanced manufacturers and semiconductor supply-chain companies looking to invest in New York.
In his conversation with On the Money, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, the ultimate measure of success is what these investments mean for local families.
“What I would like to have is a community where your kid can make a living here, no matter what they want to do,” Garnar said. “They don’t have to go somewhere else to get a job. They have every opportunity to have a great job, have a nice house and make a nice living right here in Broome County.”
As WCNY’s segment demonstrated, Broome County is laying the foundation to turn a statewide investment into lasting opportunity for the Southern Tier by preparing its workforce, sites, infrastructure and communities together.
