Date: September 28, 2011

Contact: Rachael Tabelski, Communications Manager

Phone 585-343-4866 Ext 12

e-mail:rtabelski@gcedc.com

WNY STAMP will benefit from NY’s support of nanotechnology and wafer research

The Governor’s recent announcement of a $4.8 billion investment to support the next generation of nanotechnology is promising news to the Western New York and Finger Lakes Region.  This major investment will increase research, generate jobs and create market opportunities for the Western New York Science Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park (WNY STAMP) located in Alabama, NY. 

"The Governor’s announcement is energizing for the entire state," stated Steve Hyde, President and CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC).  "Genesee County has been working for the last five years to bring a mega site, similar to Luther Forest, to the Western New York/ Finger Lakes Region.  The WNY STAMP site has been developed with chip manufacturers in mind and is perfectly aligned to house and support manufacturers of the next generation wafers," stated Hyde.

The advanced research that will be supported is focused on the development of 450-millimeter wafers that will be researched and developed at the NanoCollege and its satellite facilities.  These wafers will contain twice as many chips as the 300-millimeter wafers that are currently produced.  The research will inevitably lead to new and advanced manufacturing needs for companies like Intel, IBM and Samsung who have committed funds towards the research effort.  Working with and keeping the manufacturing of the next generation wafers in New York is the most important aspect of this investment.  Luther Forest, along with WNY STAMP will provide a landing zone for these companies to begin manufacturing near the research centers perfecting the technology, and its applications. 

The WNY STAMP mega project is a regional initiative that is in a strong position to transform Western New York from Buffalo to the Finger Lakes.  The site contains over 1,300 acres of developable land located in the Town of Alabama, NY along New York State Highways 77 and 63, approximately 5 miles north of the I-90 New York State Thruway. The site is centrally located between Rochester and Buffalo and can pull workforce from a population of 2.1 million people within reasonable commute times.

WNY STAMP compares to Luther Forest in its potential to attract major semiconductor manufacturers, create a vast amount of high paying jobs, and transform the western half of New York State. The overall capacity of the STAMP site at full buildout will include construction and operation of approximately 6.1 million square feet of advanced technology manufacturing and ancillary facilities, and potentially create 9,330 jobs on-site.  Like Luther Forest, the first phase of buildout for WNY STAMP is estimated to encompass 1 million square feet and create 1,275 jobs on site.   

Another benefit of WNY STAMP’s potential to quickly attract a large semiconductor company is the site’s ability to access low-cost hydro power from the New York Power Authority, the proximity to dual 345Kv transmission lines that run along the northern border of the site, 115Kw National Grid transmission lines that crosscut the site, and the Empire Gas Pipeline runs adjacent to the site. 

 "With the state taking the lead and pursuing high growth nano-tech industries, sustainable manufacturing jobs will be created,  and the Governor continues to send a clear message; NY is open for business," stated Hyde. 

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