BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo is joining a growing list of regions with tech hub designations, opening up the region to exclusive opportunities for federal funding and job creation.
Senator Chuck Schumer made the announcement Monday that Buffalo, Syracuse, and Rochester are all receiving the tech hub designations, creating a "semiconductor superhighway."
The "NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub" will allow the region to compete for federal funding to invest in workforce training, innovation, and manufacturing of semiconductor technology.
"I created this program with Upstate NY in mind, and now three of our own cities that helped build America, have not only won the exclusive federal Tech Hub designation for semiconductors, but also won a once in a generation opportunity to write a new chapter for Upstate NY building our nation's future," Senator Schumer said in a statement.
The Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse region beat hundreds of applications and was one of only 31 regions chosen for the Tech Hub designation.
The "NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub" will invest in research and development programs for the semiconductor industry, training the next generation of manufacturing workforce, and ensuring that underserved populations are eligible for the jobs created by this growing industry.
Congressman Brian Higgins said in a statement, "...this designation demonstrates the confidence in the infrastructure we have already built to support technology, innovation, and manufacturing and also recognizes the potential we already see in our growing workforce. It is yet another investment in a vibrant future for Western New York."
Senator Chuck Schumer is traveling to Buffalo on Monday to make the official announcement at Buffalo Manufacturing Works.