Wolfspeed formally opens silicon-carbide fabrication facility in Marcy

MARCY, N.Y. — Officials on Monday cut the ribbon on the grand opening of the Wolfspeed 200mm silicon-carbide fabrication facility at the Marcy Nanocenter, located on the SUNY Polytechnic Institute campus in Marcy in Oneida County.

Wolfspeed, a silicon-carbide technology and manufacturing firm based in North Carolina, has committed to creating more than 600 new jobs at the Marcy facility within the first eight years of operation. In addition, the company will provide internships and research positions for students attending SUNY, helping to advance a manufacturing-oriented workforce-development initiative across the SUNY system.

“By cutting the ribbon on this new chip fabrication facility, we are making good on the promise of being the most business-friendly and worker-friendly state in the nation, while cementing New York as the national hub for semiconductor production,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said a news release. “Employers in cutting-edge industries like Wolfspeed will power the future of New York by bringing good paying jobs and educational opportunities to communities like this one, right here in Marcy.”

The opening of Wolfspeed’s Mohawk Valley fabrication facility comes at a crucial time when there is a global shortage of semiconductors or “chips, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the governor’s office said. Wolfspeed has committed to establishing a silicon-carbide corridor on the U.S. east coast, anchored by the Mohawk Valley fab and its headquarters and materials operations in North Carolina.

“Our strategic expansion to the Mohawk Valley is the next chapter in Wolfspeed’s exciting story. The need for silicon carbide is tremendous as we look toward a technological future primed for energy efficiency and sustainability. We are very fortunate to have landed in the Mohawk Valley Region — a place that is rich in talent, drive, and promise for the future,” Gregg Lowe, Wolfspeed CEO, said.

The Mohawk Valley fab will dramatically increase capacity for Wolfspeed’s business and support the semiconductor industry transition from silicon to silicon carbide. Silicon carbide will be important for electric vehicles, renewable energy and energy storage, and the advancement of industrial applications, company and state officials say.

The project is a prime example of how New York can help semiconductor companies of all sizes, and in particular manufacturers, by serving as a major hub and headquarters of the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC), per the governor’s office. While construction was underway in Marcy, Wolfspeed was able to partner with NY CREATES to run its wafer processes and qualify tools at the Albany Nanotech Complex before moving the tools and equipment into the recently completed Marcy facility, which reduces the time from fab completion to chip production.

Focusing on the Mohawk Valley community, Wolfspeed forged a partnership with SUNY Poly that will expand educational science, technology, engineering, and mathematics opportunities for students. This includes a $2 million scholarship program over 10 years and the creation of two endowed faculty chairs through a $1.5 million fund over five years, which began in August 2020.

Empire State Development (ESD) has provided up to $500 million in performance-based, capital grants for a portion of the costs of construction, fitting out the new Marcy facility and acquiring and installing equipment, as well as $1 million in Excelsior Jobs Tax Credits. SUNY has also committed to match up to $5 million in semiconductor-related research funding from Wolfspeed for the SUNY system, per the release.