Schumer: $800M secured to bring nanotech chip research to Capital Region

More than $800 million in federal funding is now secured to help make the Capital Region a global epicenter of chip research.

Sen. Chuck Schumer announced Albany Nanotech has struck the final agreement to become the first flagship facility of the National Semiconductor Technology Center.

Schumer explained how Albany will be a headquarters for an Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography machine, which are essential to the industry.

“The entire global chip industry relies on this technology, and now the future of that technology will run through Albany,” said Schumer.

“The NSTC will now be how we will make breakthroughs that engineers today can’t even fathom,” said Schumer.

“This final contract ensures the most advanced federal research on microchips will be done right here in the Capital Region in Upstate New York at Albany Nanotech. And it’s going to help every region of upstate,”

Schumer said this agreement gives the United States a big advantage over China as this technology emerges.

“China is trying to catch up to us. Now with this National Semiconductor Tech Center, they won’t be able to,” he said. “Once you know the research, you can control where it goes.”

He also said the deal can’t be reversed by any changes in Washington.

“It secures the funding no matter the administration and says in writing that Upstate New York will be the home of NSTC,” said Schumer. “It will stay in Albany no matter who is the president.”