Schumer announces $6.1 billion funding for Micron Technology chip plants in New York and Idaho

The Biden administration has made a historic agreement with Micron Technology, providing $6.1 billion in government support to build advanced memory computer chips in New York and Idaho. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer played a key role in securing the deal, personally convincing Micron to construct four chip factories near Syracuse.

Schumer emphasized the significance of this agreement, stating that it would be the largest memory chip plant in America and a major boost to the manufacturing sector. The investment is expected to create 9,000 direct jobs and 40,000 construction jobs in upstate New York over the next two decades. Micron also plans to build a $15 billion memory chip plant in Boise, Idaho.

The funding for this project comes from the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, which aims to support the domestic semiconductor industry and reduce the risk of chip shortages impacting the U.S. economy and national security. The Biden administration has set a goal for 20% of the world’s advanced chips to be produced in the United States, with restrictions on chip exports to China.

President Joe Biden highlighted the importance of computer chips in various industries, criticizing his predecessor, Donald Trump, for not taking aggressive steps to boost the sector and address China’s access to chips. Trump, on the other hand, claimed to have stood up to China with tariffs to support U.S. factory jobs. Biden plans to expand tariffs on steel and aluminum to further address trade issues with China.