PRESIDENT'S LETTER WCNY

Central New York is rapidly becoming a leader in high-tech manufacturing.

Following the announcement that Micron Technology—one of the world's largest semiconductor companies—is investing in a manufacturing campus here in Central New York, President Joe Biden said, “The region is poised to lead the world in advanced manufacturing.”

Our area has clean water, low-cost housing, outdoor recreation, and space on which to build the chip fabrication “clean rooms” and related facilities. Micron intends to create thousands of jobs, adding to those established by JMA Wireless’ 5G infrastructure and Wolfspeed’s silicon carbide fabrication. These will complement jobs at other companies who are planning to move here and contribute to the evolving supply chains.

Despite the tremendous promise, there remains an undeniable question: Where will the workforce come from?

"We want to hire locally," Micron's Senior Vice President for Frontend Manufacturing said in a recent conversation with WCNY.

WCNY is ready to assist. We’ve been selected as one of ten public media stations to receive the American Graduate: Jobs Explained grant. The station will collaborate with manufacturers and local schools to create a series of TikTok features and related activities/events to educate middle and high school students about the opportunities ahead and the skills needed to achieve them.

Most importantly, Micron recently signed a far-reaching community investment contract to build out the workforce development infrastructure needed to “cultivate the next generation of talent” in the advanced manufacturing industry. Given that WCNY has enjoyed longstanding partnerships with leading workforce development, economic advancement, and civic and cultural organizations, as well as private sector companies, across our region, we are pleased to help prepare our youth for these new careers.

Using the technology and storytelling skills that you generously support, WCNY is excited to play a role in this historic opportunity—and to engage a new audience in the process.

Sincerely,