Cuomo unveils Nano Utica, a $1.5B public-private investment

MARCY — Six global technology companies will invest $1.5 billion to create Nano Utica, the state’s second major hub of nanotechnology research and development.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo made the announcement Oct. 10 in Utica.

The State University of New York (SUNY) College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) and the SUNY Institute of Technology (SUNYIT) are spearheading the partnership that is expected to create more than 1,000 new high-tech jobs on the campus of SUNYIT in Marcy.

Advanced Nanotechnology Solutions Inc. (ANSI), Albany–based SEMATECH, Germany–based Atotech, along with SEMATECH and CNSE partner companies, which include Armonk, N.Y.–based IBM Corp., Fremont, Calif.–based Lam Research Corp. (NASDAQ: LRCX), and Tokyo Electron, Ltd., are leading the consortium that will create Nano Utica, the governor’s office said.

The CNSE-SUNYIT Computer Chip Commercialization Center will serve as the headquarters for the consortium. It will build on the research and development programs that ANSI, SEMATECH, and their private-industry partners at the SUNY CNSE campus in Albany are currently conducting, the governor’s office said.

Cuomo contends that the investment is “further cementing New York’s international recognition as the preeminent hub for 21st century nanotechnology innovation, education, and economic development,” according to the news release.

The computer-chip packaging consortium will work inside the complex now under construction on the SUNYIT campus, which is due to open in late 2014.

The companies’ commitment to locate at Nano Utica means crews will expand the $125 million facility to accommodate the new collaboration with cleanrooms, laboratories, hands-on education and workforce-training facilities, and integrated offices encompassing 253,000 square feet, according to the governor’s office.

The cleanroom will be the “first-of-its-kind” in the nation, a 56,000-square-foot cleanroom stacked on two levels, providing more than five times the space that had been originally planned, Cuomo’s office said.

To support the project, New York will invest $200 million over 10 years for the purchase of new equipment for the Nano Utica facility, the governor’s office said.

New York won’t provide any private companies state funding as part of the initiative, Cuomo’s office adds.

Employees will conduct research and development on computer-chip packaging and lithography development and commercialization at this facility, the governor’s office said.

These system-on-a-chip innovations will drive a host of new technologies and products in the consumer and business marketplace, including smart phones, tablets, and laptops; 3D systems for gaming; ultrafast and secure computer servers and information-technology systems; and sensor technology for emerging health care, clean energy, and environmental applications, the governor’s office said.

As part of the state’s work to promote innovation-driven economic development, the initiative will provide new momentum for development of the adjacent Marcy Nanocenter manufacturing site.

CNSE is working with Mohawk Valley EDGE, a local economic-development organization, to lead development of the site, which has the capacity to support construction of three, 450mm-sized, computer-chip fabrication facilities, the governor’s office said.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com