The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Hochul announces money to spur CNY growth
Governor Kathy Hochul announced details of key proposals from her Fiscal Year 2024 Executive Budget to grow jobs and boost the economy in Central New York. In line with the 2023 State of the State, the budget includes a major investment to increase housing supply and expand economic opportunity and innovation in the region.
That includes $36 million for Onondaga Community College, $11 million for local workforce and economic development initiatives, $10 million for the New 15th Ward public housing project and $26 million for the State Fair and local parks.
Hochul also announced $45 million for GO SEMI: Governor’s Office of Semiconductor Expansion, Management and Integration, which will provide administrative and operational support to Micron during its historic $100 billion investment for a new megafab in Central New York and lead a broader effort to develop New York’s semiconductor industry.
“These investments are building on our momentum to make Syracuse and Central New York more prosperous, more affordable, and more livable,” Hochul said in a news release. “With new, deeper commitments to housing, education, and economic development, our budget will build on Micron’s investment to create opportunity for even more New Yorkers, and I look forward to working with local leaders to make this vision for Central New York a reality.”
Several of the budget proposals Hochul announced are in line with the Economic Innovation Plan announced in the 2023 State of the State to grow jobs and businesses by expanding economic opportunity and innovation across New York State through targeted investments, business support and other programming aimed at highgrowth industries.
“As Micron gets ready to build a nation-leading semiconductor factory in Central New York and hire thousands of employees, it’s critical that we prepare the area with affordable and quality housing while also providing the company with the necessary tools to guarantee it’s a good neighbor to residents in the region,” State Senator Rachel May said. “Thank you to Governor Hochul for including funding in this year’s budget to address these issues, ensuring Micron’s development is successful.”
The Governor’s budget also includes several initiatives to invest in higher education and improve local attractions across the state. For Central New York, the plan includes:
-$10 million for the New 15th Ward public housing project in Syracuse, which will support construction of the first three phases of the multi-year-12 phase project.
-$5 million to help the Syracuse Economic Development Corporation create a revolving loan fund to help small- to mid-size city businesses fill critical gaps in the need for qualified contractors for housing construction and rehabilitation as well as for lead hazard reduction in homes.
-$5 million for the Flexible Finance Program to support economic development in the City of Syracuse.
-$1 million to expand the successful Syracuse Build Pathways to Apprenticeship program to support building trades apprenticeships in Syracuse and expand Vehicles to Work program.
-$1 million to create the Syracuse Surge High-tech Careers Bridge Program, which will help connect Syracuse residents with semiconductor careers, ESOL programs and skills training for advanced manufacturing careers.
-$36 million for Onondaga Community College, including:
-$15 million to expand the School of Health.
-$5 million to support construction of a 5,000 square foot, ISO class 5 and 6 clean room for training students in the semiconductor and microelectronics industries.
-$3 million for an open warehouse space for use in applied engineering, technical and workforce education.
-$2.5 million for an energy retrofit of Coyne Hall.
-$10.25 million for various improvements across the campus.
-$14 million to support State fairground maintenance and needed infrastructure upgrades.
-$7 million to construct two brand new comfort stations at campgrounds and make circulations improvements at Selkirk Shores State Park.
-$5 million for improvements at Green Lakes State Park.
“With Governor Hochul’s strong partnership, Syracuse is entering a period of growth not seen in nearly a century,” Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said. “We appreciate funding in Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget announced today for housing, small business development and job readiness. With investments in these areas, we can expand our efforts to ensure growth in Syracuse and Central New York is sustainable and creates opportunities for all.”