Governor Hochul Makes Transformative Investments in Central New York To Prepare Students for Jobs in Growing Technology Manufacturing – Urban CNY

Breaks Ground on $74 Million Syracuse STEAM High School to Prepare Students and Region for Growing Technology Manufacturing Industry in Anticipation of Micron’s $100 Billion Investment 

Central New York’s First Regional Technical High School Made Possible by Significant State Funding

New York State and Micron Commit $4 Million to Support the New York Advanced Technology Framework for School Districts Across the State

VIDEO of the event is available on YouTube here AUDIO of the event is available here.

Governor Kathy Hochul on December 7th broke ground on the Syracuse Science, Technology, Arts and Math High School – Central New York’s first regional technical high school, which will open in 2025 thanks to a $71 million state commitment. Governor Hochul was joined by Micron Technology, Inc., the United Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers, New York State United Teachers and local officials. The Governor also announced that New York State and Micron will invest $4 million in the New York Advanced Technology Framework to help school districts in New York build their own curriculum in semi-conductors and high-tech manufacturing. Today’s announcements highlight the continued collaboration between New York State, businesses, and labor leaders to ensure Central New York is prepared to welcome the region’s growing technology manufacturing industry. 

“Through the investments we’re making in Central New York, we’re expanding educational opportunities for students while ensuring the region is ready to welcome the jobs and opportunity coming through Micron’s transformative project,” Governor Hochul said. “By investing in high-tech education and advanced manufacturing, we can ensure the next generation of New Yorkers is prepared to fill the jobs of the future. We’re committed to building a global chip-making hub right here in New York.”

The Syracuse STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) school will be Central New York’s first regional technical high school in the newly rehabilitated Central Tech school building in Downtown Syracuse. The school will offer a rigorous STEAM-focused curriculum paired with a range of industry and higher education partnerships providing opportunities for internships, mentoring, job shadowing, and college-level coursework. The high school will help prepare students in Central New York for jobs in the region’s growing high-tech manufacturing industry. The state has committed over $71 million to this project, along with Micron’s $10 million commitment to the school and other STEM-related K-12 programs as a part of the company’s Community Investment Framework with Empire State Development (ESD) and Amazon’s $1.75 million commitment.

As a part of the Governor’s efforts to build a world-class education system and ensure students are prepared to fill the jobs of the future, Governor Hochul also announced a $4 million investment from New York State and Micron to create a tech-talent pipeline and get students on the path to high-tech jobs and careers. Educators and industry experts have created the New York Advanced Technology Framework to help middle schools and high schools develop their own curriculum in semi-conductors and high-tech manufacturing. This pilot program allows school districts to offer cutting edge career based learning with curriculum they develop with the collaboration of the other New York educators.

Artists Renderings of The Syracuse STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) school

“Click” on Image to Enlarge.

Investing in Central New York 

The December 7th announcement build on significant investments in advanced manufacturing in Central New York. October marked the one-year anniversary of Micron’s historic investment of up to $100 billion over the next 20-plus years to build a megafab campus in Central New York and create nearly 50,000 New York jobs. Since the announcement, Governor Hochul has worked closely with local, state and federal partners to prepare for Micron’s arrival and make continued investments in the community.  

• In October 2023, Governor Hochul unveiled plans for the $15 million, 5,000 square-foot Micron Cleanroom Simulation Lab at Onondaga Community College, which will help to train students in Central New York for jobs at Micron. 
• Governor Hochul has continued to work with Micron to provide access to reliable and affordable child care for Micron employees, including future on-site child care options on Micron’s Clay campus.  
  • Micron has made significant investments that will benefit Central New York families, including $500,000 to the YMCA of Central New York to help expand access to high-quality child care and early learning for underserved communities in the region.  
  • Micron also announced funding for the Early Childhood Career Pathways Program, administered by Childcare Solutions and PEACE Inc., to expand family home child care centers. 
• Governor Hochul established the Micron Community Engagement Committee to guide the investment strategy for the $500 million Community Investment Fund. The committee has met with hundreds of residents and continues to listen and learn about how Micron’s presence can help the region. 

Supporting High-Tech Manufacturing 

Governor Hochul continues to invest in workforce development and education programs to prepare New Yorkers for high-tech manufacturing jobs and establish the state as a semiconductor hub. 

• As part of the FY 2024 Budget, Governor Hochul secured a $45 million investment to create the Governor’s Office of Semiconductor Expansion, Management, and Integration (GO SEMI), a new state office to lead and centralize efforts to implement the Micron project and develop and advance policies to attract the semiconductor industry and supply chain. 
• Governor Hochul announced a $44 million State investment to support updates at SUNY Poly, which include creating a semiconductor processing lab for workforce development and establishing a robotics and advanced manufacturing research and education lab. 
• Governor Hochul has committed $350 million to preparing New York’s workforce for the jobs of the future, including the $150 million Office of Strategic Workforce Development within ESD, which works to better align workforce development efforts with the needs and priorities of today’s employers. 

“STEAM programs and strategic industry partnerships are the catalysts for propelling education towards innovation. By bridging the gap between academia and industry needs with programs like those that will be offered at the Syracuse STEAM High School, we can cultivate a workforce equipped with the skills necessary to drive economic growth and technological advancement. This project is an excellent example of increasing access to educational opportunities for all students and innovation across the P-20 continuum. In collaboration with our partners in education and Governor Hochul, we are paving the way for a future where education can more seamlessly intersect with economic prosperity.” According to State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon stated, “From day one my administration has recognized and prioritized investments that will help prepare our kids for the jobs of both today and tomorrow. In partnership with Mayor Walsh & New York State, we immediately got to work to create the first countywide STEAM school in New York State at Central Tech. Today marks the culmination of those efforts and I am excited for what the future holds.” McMahon continued, “This unprecedented commitment has also caught the attention of our friends in the private sector and I want to thank Amazon and Micron for their commitment to this important project and I look forward to seeing the classrooms of Central Tech produce the workforce talent of tomorrow!”

A long supporter of the initiative, Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, “Groundbreaking for the STEAM High School is more evidence of progress on the Syracuse Surge, our strategy for inclusive growth in the New Economy. Transforming the long vacant Central Tech High School into a state-of-the-art regional learning center will help break down long standing educational barriers between urban and suburban school districts and ensure our young people are better prepared to capitalize on the career opportunities of the future right here in their own hometown.  I thank Governor Hochul and our state legislative delegation for their steadfast support of this project. Their commitment to the Syracuse STEAM school will improve lives for generations to come.”

The school facility has been vacant for decades with many, over the years calling for its restoration. When the building was incorporated into a regional STEAM High School, funding was secured. According to Syracuse City School District Superintendent Anthony Davis, “Breaking ground on the Syracuse STEAM School is a massive step forward for our community, revitalizing the old Central Tech building and preparing our students to fill the high-tech jobs coming to our region. The future of Central New York starts with our young people, and I thank Governor Hochul for the state’s commitment to Syracuse and our schools.”

Amazon and Micron have been supportive of the plan talking about our region’s, “tech transformation”. Micron is investing in local education programs with funding, in anticipation of their future needs enabling them to hire from a prepared workforce. Nothing could be more important than exposing them to these programs while they’re young. This support from Micron is unprecedented in the Syracuse City School District. And Amazon investing in their Fulfillment Center, teaming up with OCC to provide training. It has become clear that something special is happening in our region.

Micron’s Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, and the President of the Micron Foundation, April Arnzen said, “It’s an honor to join government, education and industry partners at today’s groundbreaking. With the support of funding from the CHIPS and Science Act, Micron’s historic commitments to community and workforce development will create tens of thousands of jobs across New York. Building an education ecosystem that will prepare students from all backgrounds for success in high-tech jobs starts at schools like the Syracuse STEAM school, driven by a broad ecosystem of partners. Micron is proud to invest $10 million over 10 years in the Syracuse STEAM school and in other STEM-related K-12 programs in the Central New York region, and to partner with the State of New York on a $4 million investment to create a tech-talent pipeline powered by the New York Advanced Technology Framework.”

Senior Manager of Economic Development for Amazon Brad Griggs added, “Syracuse and Central New York are in the midst of a tech transformation that will sustain and grow the region for generations. We are proud to be a catalyst in helping the STEAM school come to fruition, and paving the way to bright futures and careers for Syracuse students.”  

Speaking on behalf of educators in the area, the teachers union NYSUT is supporting of the reopening of the Central Tech High School.  President Melinda Person said, “NYSUT is honored to unite with our partners at state, local and federal levels to create classrooms that prepare students for the careers of the future. From New York City to Syracuse, we’ve already seen exciting successes through experiential, hands-on learning programs that emphasize critical thinking, foster kids’ innate curiosity, and offer them clear pathways to fulfilling jobs. Our educators know that building these real-world skills early works, and their expertise is a vital part of this new framework that will strengthen our schools, families and communities across the state of New York.”