news

WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Paul D. Tonko today led the full New York delegation in a letter to Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo calling for the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) and National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP)—created under the CHIPS for America Act—to be established in New York State.

This letter speaks to the goals outlined in President Biden’s State of the Union address calling for increased manufacturing capabilities to shore up domestic supply chains, create good jobs, and spur the nation’s 21^st century economy.

“New York is uniquely positioned to alleviate the short-term chip shortage that is crimping economic growth, while simultaneously propelling long-term American semiconductor innovation,” the members wrote. “The $52 billion in emergency appropriations to fund the CHIPS for America Act will give the Department of Commerce a sorely needed set of tools to build a more resilient semiconductor supply chain. We believe a critical component will include establishing an NSTC and NAPMP that leverages the proven semiconductor innovation ecosystem of New York to boost the supply of chips and broaden access to research and development capabilities to maximize economic impact.”

The letter highlights the dozens of semiconductor manufacturers established in New York that—with the support of federal investments—could supercharge the nation’s chip manufacturing industry.

Tonko has been a longtime leader in Congress pushing for investment in chip manufacturing in New York and beyond. Last month, he voted in the House to pass the America COMPETES Act, legislation that would empower the Department of Energy to boost research and development of microelectronics, as well as provide funding for the CHIPS for America Act, which Tonko successfully pressed leadership to advance.

Read the full letter HERE or below:

March 3, 2022 

The Honorable Gina Raimondo 
Secretary of Commerce 
U.S. Department of Commerce 
1401 Constitution Ave, NW 
Washington, DC 20230 

Dear Secretary Raimondo,  

As Congress works to fully fund the CHIPS for America Act, we write to express our strong support for leveraging shovel-ready infrastructure and advanced R&D capabilities in New York State in considering sites for the establishment of the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) and National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP). New York is uniquely positioned to alleviate the short-term chip shortage that is crimping economic growth, while simultaneously propelling long-term American semiconductor innovation.  

New York State has been a pioneer in computing design, development, and manufacturing for nearly 80 years. Today, our state is home to the world’s most advanced microelectronic breakthroughs, including the world’s first two nanometer chip. Such leading-edge advances are underpinned by the most comprehensive higher education system in the country – the State University of New York system – and a vast network of public and private institutions that can ensure that we are ready to get to work the moment the CHIPS for America Act is fully funded.  

Today, New York has more than 85 semiconductor sites, which employ 34,000 New Yorkers with an annual wage impact of over $3.5 billion. In total, our public and private colleges and universities graduate 43,000 students with STEM degrees each year. That figure is expected to grow state- and nationwide, where the national semiconductor ecosystem accounts for over 250,000 direct and nearly 1.6 million indirect jobs, according to industry estimates. Our workforce, researchers, colleges, universities, and private enterprises are itching to get to work. Our ability to do so – quickly and collaboratively – is more important than ever.  

In addition to hosting the most advanced publicly-owned 300mm semiconductor R&D facility in the United States – the Albany NanoTech Complex – New York has multiple shovel-ready sites for new manufacturing with developed infrastructure and plentiful power, water, and wastewater capacity. Existing infrastructure – paired with a deep bench of know-how – means that New York can become the lynchpin for national efforts to coordinate NSTC and NAPMP activities aimed at alleviating the chips shortage and propelling sustainable R&D.  

The $52 billion in emergency appropriations to fund the CHIPS for America Act will give the Department of Commerce a sorely needed set of tools to build a more resilient semiconductor supply chain. We believe a critical component will include establishing an NSTC and NAPMP that leverages the proven semiconductor innovation ecosystem of New York to boost the supply of chips and broaden access to research and development capabilities to maximize economic impact.  

Please know that you have our steadfast support, and we urge you to consider choosing New York as the home of the NSTC and NAPMP. Thank you for your full and fair consideration of this request, consistent with applicable agency guidelines. 

###