Committee releases document on priorities for $500 million fund that’s part of Micron’s deal with the state

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Central New York Community Engagement Committee (CEC) on Thursday released a document with ideas for using the $500 million Green CHIPS Community Investment Fund.

The fund is a requirement of the 2022 agreement between New York State and Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: MU). As a requirement of Micron’s participation in the state’s Green CHIPS incentive program, the company established a $500 million Green CHIPS Community Investment Fund in partnership with Empire State Development.

The group’s community-priorities document (CPD) represents a “community-driven and collaborative approach to guiding” the $500 million Green CHIPS Community Investment Fund, per a Thursday announcement from CenterState CEO.

The document represents more than 13 months of community-driven engagement across more than 300 community organizations. It includes input from more than 12,700 Central New Yorkers and is intended to serve as a “guiding strategy to amplify the benefits” of Micron and New York State’s investments in Central New York.

The CEC co-chairs, Melanie Littlejohn, president & CEO of the Central New York Community Foundation, and Tim Penix, VP of the Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center, released the following statement about the document.

“The Community Engagement Committee set out with a clear mission to ensure our region’s future benefits everyone, especially those historically left behind. Through extensive outreach and thousands of community members’ input, we’ve crafted the Community Priorities Document. This is a roadmap for equitable growth in the wake of Micron’s transformative investment. This document represents more than just a plan, it’s a testament to our community’s collective voice and a model for inclusive development. As we move forward, we’re committed to turning these priorities into tangible progress, creating opportunities that reach every corner of Central New York. Our work proves that when a community comes together, we can shape our destiny in ways that lift us all,” Littlejohn and Penix said in the CenterState CEO announcement.

Document highlights

The document identifies six priority areas, and they include education; workforce development; minority-, women-, veteran-owned business (MWVBE) and small business supports; housing; healthcare and family supports; and sustainable infrastructure.

It also identifies immediate priorities that require resources in the short term. They include K-12 education, workforce development, MWVBE and small business support, housing and childcare.

The CPD also provides “strategic vision for sustainable and inclusive growth” stemming from Micron’s investment in the region over the next twenty-plus years. The CEC intends to continue engaging local stakeholders to “revisit and update the document as needed” to ensure that it continues to “reflect the changing dynamics and needs of the community.”

In addition, the priorities, principles, and core considerations detailed in the document will be used to help guide the $500 million Green CHIPS Community Investment Fund towards the communities’ most pressing needs and aspirations.