The Syracuse Science, Technology, Arts and Math (STEAM) High School officially opened its doors in downtown Syracuse, marking Central New York’s first regional technical high school. The opening was celebrated by Governor Kathy Hochul, who highlighted the state’s $71 million commitment to the project and emphasized ongoing efforts to prepare students for careers in technology manufacturing.
“The STEAM school is a model for school districts across the country on how to ensure that industries have workers ready for good paying jobs of the future,” Governor Hochul said. “Not only are we creating opportunities for the next generation of New Yorkers to stay in New York and fill the jobs of the future, we are building a global chip-making hub right here in the Empire State.”
The new high school occupies the rehabilitated Central Tech building and offers a curriculum focused on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Students will have access to internships, mentoring programs, job shadowing opportunities, and college-level courses through partnerships with industry leaders and higher education institutions.
Funding for the project includes $71 million from New York State. Micron has committed $10 million toward the school and other STEM-related K-12 initiatives as part of its Community Investment Framework with Empire State Development (ESD), while Amazon has pledged $1.75 million.
In addition to supporting the new high school, Governor Hochul announced a joint $4 million investment from New York State and Micron aimed at developing a tech-talent pipeline. This funding supports the creation of the New York Advanced Technology Framework—a pilot program designed to help middle schools and high schools develop curricula in semiconductors and advanced manufacturing through collaboration among educators statewide.
Micron’s recent announcement of up to $100 billion over 20 years for a semiconductor megafab campus in Central New York is expected to create nearly 50,000 jobs. The state has responded with investments such as a $15 million cleanroom simulation lab at Onondaga Community College and support for child care initiatives benefiting Micron employees.
Workforce development remains central to these efforts. The FY 2025 Budget established ON-RAMP (One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships), allocating $200 million for four workforce development centers—including one overseen by CenterState CEO in Syracuse—to provide training related to advanced manufacturing. Other investments include $45 million for GO SEMI (Governor’s Office of Semiconductor Expansion, Management, and Integration) and $44 million for updates at SUNY Poly focused on semiconductor workforce development.
“DASNY President and CEO Robert J. Rodriguez said, ‘This project demonstrates New York’s commitment to creating pathways from the classroom to career for our young people. At DASNY, we finance and build educational facilities across the state, and we know that when you invest in world-class learning environments, you’re investing in generational change. The Syracuse STEAM School will serve as a model for how public-private partnerships can prepare students for the high-tech jobs of tomorrow while revitalizing entire neighborhoods. Governor Hochul’s vision of connecting education to economic opportunity is exactly what New York needs to remain competitive and ensure our students have bright futures right here at home.’”
“State Senator Rachel May said, ‘The Syracuse Regional STEAM school will be a transformative opportunity for students across the region, providing a direct pathway to a career after graduation. I’m proud to have led the effort in Albany to secure funding for this one-of-a-kind school in Central New York. Thank you to Governor Hochul, Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and my colleagues in the Senate Majority for believing in this project and for your dedication to quality education.’”
“State Senator Christopher Ryan said, ‘The opening of Central New York’s first regional STEAM School marks a major investment in our children and in the future of our community. From my time as an Onondaga County Legislator to now as State Senator, I’ve been proud to support this project because it directly connects education to opportunity. By equipping students with the skills and experiences they need in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math, we’re preparing the next generation for the jobs that will drive our region forward. This school is proof of what we can accomplish when we invest in education, innovation,and equity.I thank Governor Hochul , cityand county leaders,my fellow state officials,the Syracuse City School District Boardof Education,andthe many community partnersfor makingthisa reality.’”
“Assemblymember Al Stirpe said,’NewYorkState cannot becomea hubfor advancedmanufacturing withouta highly skilledworkforce topelthe industryforward.That’s whytoday’sopeningofourregion’sfirsttechnicalhighschoolissuchamilestone:notjustforthepromiseofMicron,butforallthefutureopportunitiesforeconomicdevelopmentthatMicronbringswithittoCentralNewYork.IamproudthatthisfundingfromNewYorkStatewillhelppreparestudentstojoinarapidlygrowing,higher-techindustryandreacht heircare ergoalsintheprocess.'”
“Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said,’TodaymarksanexcitingdayastheoldCentralTechbecomesthenewcountywideSTEAMschoolandthelatesttoolinourworkforcedevelopmenttoolbox!Myadministration,inpartnershipwiththeCountyLegislatureandCityofSyracusewereproudtoleadtheefforttomaketodaypossible—ascompanieslikeTTM ,Saab,JMAWirelesscontinuetogrowandexpandalongwiththelarg estinvestmentinthehistoryofourcountrywithMicron,thisSTEAMschoolwillbeacriticalworkforcepipeline.IwanttothankalloftheprivatesectorpartnerswhoinvestedinthishistoricprojectincludingAmazonandMicron.Ialsowanttothankourfacilitiesteamandallthecontractorswhoworkedtirelesslytomaketodayhappen!'”
“Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said,’Eightyearsago,weestablishedavisiontomakeSyracuseagrowingcitythatembracesdiversityandcreatesopportunityforall.There’snogreaterexampleofourprogressthantheopeningoftheSTEAMSchoolattheoldCentralTech.ItwasthecornerstoneoftheSyracuseSurge ,ourstrategyforinclusivegrowthintheNewEconomy.JusthavingplansforsuchapremierschoolinSyracusespurredunprecedentedinvestmentinourcommunityoverthepastseveralyears.Havingitopenwillinspirem oreandwillalsoimprovethelivesofchildrenandfamiliesinSyracuseandCentralNewYorklongintothefuture.I’mgratefultoGovernorHochulandthemembersofourStateDelegationforsupportingourdreamandt oCountyExecutiveMcMahon,theCountyLegislature,theSyracuseCommonCouncil,theSyracuseCitySchoolDistrict ,BOCESandallofourpartnerswhomadeourSTEAMSchoolmoonshotareality.'”
“Syracuse City School District Superintendent Anthony Davis said,’TheopeningofournewSTEAMHighSchoolisaproudandhistoricmomentfortheSyracuseCitySchoolDistrict.Thisschoolrepresentsmoreopportunitiesforourstudentstoexplorescience ,technology ,engineering,thearts,andmathematics innovativewaysthatpreparethemforthefuture.It’salsoasymbolofwhatcanhappenwhenourcommunitycomestogethertoinvestinouryoungpeople.Iamexcitedtoseethecreativity ,leadership,andachievementthatwillgrowwithinthesewalls.'”
“Micron Executive Vice President ,Chief People Officer,and Micron Foundation President April Arnzen said,’AtMicron,weareproudtosupportinitiativesthatempowercuriousmindstopursuerewardingcareersandcontributetothegrowthofourindustry.TheSTEAMschoolisapowerfulexampleofwhat’ spossible.Together,weseektoinspirethenextgenerationofinnovatorsandensurethatstudentsinCentralNewYorkareequippedtothriveinAmerica’ssemiconductorworkforceoftomorrow.'”
“AFT President Randi Weingarten said,’Careerandtechnicaleducationiswherepassionmeetspurpose—andtheoutcomeismorepathwaysandmoreopportunitiesforstudents.SyracuseSTEAMwillbeanationalmodelofteachersworkingwiththeirschooldistricts ,industryandgovernmentcounterpartstorealizetheAmericanDream.Itisanchoredinoursharedvisionofrealsolutionsforkidsandcommunitiesthatpreparekidsforcollege ,career,civicparticipationandlife.Thisschoolwillnotonlyhelpstudentsthrive,itplantstheseedsofamanufacturingrenaissanceacrossNewYorkState.Iwassogladtobeatthegroundbreaking,andIamproudtoseetheschoolopenitsdoorstoday.'”
“NYSUT President Melinda Pearson said,’NYSUTisproudtosupporttheSyracuseSTEAMHighSchool.Handsonlearninglikethisinspiresstudents ,buildsskillsforthej obsoftomorrow,andstrengthensourcommunities.WithsupportfromMicronandregionalemployers,thisschoolwillopendoorsofopportunity ,preparestudentsforhigh-demandcareers,andkeeptalentrighthereinNewYork.'”
Governor Hochul has made expansion of semiconductor manufacturing central within her administration’s budgets since taking office—securing additional capital investment into NY CREATES’ Albany Nanotech Complex totaling $1 billion out of an anticipated public-private partnership worth about $10 billion overall; once completed it will house North America’s first publicly owned High NA EUV Lithography Center.
Other initiatives include an extra $100 million allocated under FAST NY (Focused Attraction of Shovel-Ready Tracts), which since December 2022 has awarded more than $175 million toward preparing sites across Upstate regions—attracting companies such as Edwards Vacuum or Siemens Mobility—and recent enhancements like tax credits targeting large-scale semiconductor R&D projects.
Semiconductors play an important role nationally: they are key components behind modern electronics; their production supports hundreds of thousands directly employed workers plus over 1.8 million additional U.S.-based jobs; they rank among top American exports; productivity gains attributed largely stem from this sector; their applications span agriculture through industrial production.
Currently there are 156 semiconductor or supply chain firms employing more than 34,000 people statewide—with continued growth driven by major investments from companies including Micron Technology Inc., GlobalFoundries or AMD.
