EDITORIAL "It's right there, in the bank." That's how Sen. Chuck Schumer assured his Central and West-ern New York constituencies that the funds promised to Micron Technology's chip-making plant will not be clawed away by an incoming presidential administration.
Inexplicably, President-elect Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson have been hostile toward federal support for the technology sector and workforce, and it's a relief that Schumer has safeguarded $6.1 billion in funding from the CHIPS and Science Act that could easily evaporate. Schumer and the rest of the New York delegation should continue in this protective role.
There is other federal funding that could be in jeopardy. Micron – a leading producer of memory and data storage chips used in personal computers, smartphones, data centers, cars and other electronic products – is planning a 7.2 million-square-foot semiconductor facility in Clay, a suburb of Syracuse, representing an investment that may reach $100 billion.
That includes creating up to 9,000 jobs at the plant and many times that number around the state. It also features $500 million in community and workforce training. As reported by The News' Matt Glynn, Micron is considered a driving force for bringing more chip-related industries to upstate New York.
It earned Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse the federal designation of tech hub, one of about 20 around the country, which has already brought $40 million in federal funding this year. The state is provi.