NY SMART I-Corridor Advisory Board Kicks Off
OneROC Heads Regional Effort to Propel Upstate Semiconductor Leadership
NY SMART I-Corridor Advisory Board Members & Staff
The NY SMART I-Corridor Advisory Board convened its inaugural meeting on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, marking a significant step forward for one of 18 federally designated and funded Tech Hubs in the nation. This initiative unites Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and the surrounding region to advance the regional semiconductor industry by focusing on supply chain optimization, commercialization, workforce development, and broader accessibility.
The virtual meeting included representatives from higher education, major employers, public sector leaders, and project leads. The Advisory Board is charged with fostering collaboration across the NY SMART I-Corridor, monitoring progress, and positioning the region as a national leader in semiconductor innovation.
Leadership from the three cities includes Joseph Stefko, President and CEO of OneROC and Regional Innovation Officer for the Tech Hub, Buffalo Niagara Partnership President and CEO Dottie Gallagher, and CenterState CEO President and CEO Robert Simpson. Academic partners include the University at Buffalo, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Rochester, Syracuse University, and Cornell University. Industry leaders such as Moog, Corning, and Micron are also a part of the initiative.
Congressman Joe Morelle
Federal updates from Congressman Joseph Morelle and a representative from Senator Charles Schumer’s office underscored the national significance of the Tech Hub, including its role in enhancing economic competitiveness and national security. Representatives from Empire State Development’s GO SEMI and NYSTAR programs reiterated New York State’s commitment to advancing innovation and growth in this critical sector.
Milind Sohoni, Dr. Ananth Iyer, and Jennifer Flagg, University at Buffalo
The meeting included progress updates on three cornerstone initiatives. The SCAN project, led by the University at Buffalo, focuses on integrating regional businesses into the semiconductor supply chain through mapping, technical assistance, and targeted funding for process improvements, with an emphasis on supporting smaller companies and MWBEs. The STEP UP workforce development program, led by Monroe Community College, is creating a pipeline of talent by aligning training initiatives with industry demands, engaging underrepresented groups, and piloting new workforce training models. The C3 commercialization initiative, led by Syracuse University, is fostering collaboration between businesses and universities, implementing innovation vouchers, standardizing intellectual property frameworks, and launching internship opportunities to bridge research and industry needs.
Dr. DeAnna Burt-Nanna, Monroe Community College
The Advisory Board reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring broad accessibility, with the Equity Workgroup playing a critical role in guiding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts across the component projects. Supported by expertise from America Achieves, the workgroup aims to create inclusive opportunities for stakeholders across the NY SMART I-Corridor.
Duncan Brown, Syracuse University
With these initiatives gaining momentum, the NY SMART I-Corridor is poised to elevate the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse region as a unified powerhouse in the global semiconductor industry, fueling economic growth throughout Upstate New York.
The next meeting of the NY SMART I-Corridor Advisory Board will be held in July.