New York is offering up to $25 million to establish a semiconductor design center in New York City, Long Island or parts of the Hudson Valley. The state says the center would connect downstate technology talent and investors with chip research and manufacturing operations across upstate New York.
Empire State Development opened a competitive request for applications for nonprofit organizations, academic or research institutions and partnerships led by an eligible nonprofit fiscal agent. Initial concept papers are due by 2 p.m. Oct. 26.
The proposed facility may be located in New York City, Nassau or Suffolk counties, or the Hudson Valley counties of Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Dutchess and Putnam.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said the center would expand New York's semiconductor strategy beyond manufacturing by supporting the companies that create digital blueprints for advanced chips. The state expects the center to incubate startups, train chip designers and connect emerging firms with the broader semiconductor supply chain.
Semiconductor companies have committed more than $124 billion to new manufacturing and innovation projects in upstate New York since 2022, according to the governor's office. Those investments include research and fabrication assets that the proposed downstate center is intended to complement.
State officials said the downstate region offers universities, technology workers, startup companies, venture capital and operations run by large technology firms. Empire State Development President Hope Knight said linking those resources with upstate research and manufacturing could strengthen the industry from design through production.
Global semiconductor revenue is projected to reach $1 trillion by the end of 2026, the state said. Private-sector commitments in chip design are expected to total $500 billion during the next decade.
The funding delivers on a proposal included in Hochul's 2026 State of the State agenda. Application materials and eligibility requirements are available through Empire State Development.
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