Abstract
New York State and Capital Region policymakers’ long-range objective for their public investments in nanotechnology was to attract private investment in nanotechnology manufacturing, which would offset the employment effects of the decline of traditional manufacturing in the region. A large, sustained, well-informed, and well-executed team effort by state and regional leaders succeeded in persuading one of the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturers to establish a manufacturing presence in Saratoga County.
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Notes
- 1.
“The ultimate goal of UAlbany’s [SUNY Albany’s] plan [to build a 300mm pilot line] is to woo a full-scale chip manufacturing facility to the region.” See “UAlbany Center Hopes for High Tech Boost,” Albany, The Times Union (November 18, 1997). In supporting state funding for this initiative, Senate Majority Leader Bruno “said the prize of a manufacturing plant would be lucrative to the area.” See “State Pays to Go High Tech,” Albany, The Times Union (December 2, 1997). In 2002, New York Senator Hillary Clinton said that “All too often in upstate New York we do the research, we get the patent and then the jobs go somewhere else. That’s something we cannot permit to continue. We need to translate those applications into jobs.” See “Sen. Clinton Wants Research to Result in Jobs for the Region,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (November 21, 2002).
- 2.
Katherine Derbyshire, “Building a Fab—It’s All About Tradeoffs,” Semiconductor Magazine (June 2002).
- 3.
Edward V. Schneier, John Brian Murtaugh, and Antionette Pole, New York Politics: A Tale of Two States (Armonk and London: M.E. Sharpe, 2010), p. 24.
- 4.
Edward V. Schneier, John Brian Murtaugh, and Antionette Pole, New York Politics: A Tale of Two States (Armonk and London: M.E. Sharpe, 2010), p. 24.
- 5.
Edward V. Schneier, John Brian Murtaugh, and Antionette Pole, New York Politics: A Tale of Two States (Armonk and London: M.E. Sharpe, 2010), p. 44.
- 6.
“Work Together, or it Won’t Work,” Albany, The Times Union (February 28, 2003). Semiconductor fabs in Taiwan and China are commonly located in special administrative zones where a single authority is responsible for regulatory approvals.
- 7.
“Cross Subsidy in NY,” IEEE Power and Energy Magazine (January/February 2007).
- 8.
“Tech Valley Vision Pays Off Big—Chip Maker AMD Hopes Rivals Will Also Build Plants in Region,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (June 24, 2006).
- 9.
National Research Council, Charles W. Wessner (ed.), Best Practices In State and Regional Innovation Initiatives: Competing in the 21st Century (Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2013), p. 152.
- 10.
“Looking Forward—Center for Economic Growth Moving Ahead on New Initiatives,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (April 23, 2000).
- 11.
Albany Mayor Erastus Corning advocated a regional approach in the 1930s when he was serving as a state senator, without success. Governor Rockefeller created the Hudson Valley Commission in the 1960s without success. In the 1990s, the Rockefeller Institute tried and failed to establish a regional plan for the Capital Region in the 1990s. “Real Regionalism Needs to be Restored,” Albany, The Times Union (January 10, 2012).
- 12.
“Gala to Honor Center for Economic Growth,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (October 10, 1998).
- 13.
CEG President Kevin O’Connor in “Business Development Group Maps Future,” Albany, The Times Union (December 4, 1997).
- 14.
F. Michael Tucker, “The Rise of Tech Valley,” Economic Development Journal (Fall 2008), p. 34.
- 15.
“CEG to Continue Chip Fab Effort,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (June 5, 2002).
- 16.
“Task Force to Report on Efforts to Lure Chip Fab,” Albany, The Times Union (September 13, 2000).
- 17.
Interview with Brian McMahon, executive director, New York State Economic Development Council (October 28, 2015).
- 18.
Joe Dalton, SEDC co-founder, “The SEDC Burns the Midnight Oil to Create Job Growth in the County,” Albany, The Times Union (September 15, 1998).
- 19.
“Bruno: 2 Chip Plants in Play—Senate Majority Leader Advances Prospects for Bigger AMD Project in Region; Slams Silver Talk,” Albany, The Times Union (June 21, 2006).
- 20.
“Economic Agency Seized an Opportunity,” Albany, The Times Union (May 9, 2004). SEDC was negotiating to buy a 280-acre research site in Luther Forest from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority in 1984, but the deal collapsed when routing testing revealed groundwater contamination from prior rocket fuel testing on the site. “State Plans to Sell Malta Research Site,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (December 30, 1998).
- 21.
“Luther Forest Planned Development Stands Out from Suburban Sprawl,” Albany, The Times Union (July 14, 1986).
- 22.
“New York’s Big Subsidies Bolster Upstate’s Winning Bid for AMD’s $3.2 Billion 300-MM Fab,” Site Selection (June 10, 2006).
- 23.
“Building Plan Imperiled, Toxic Cleanup a Luther Forest Kink,” Albany, The Times Union (May 24, 1986); “Malta Residents Fear Poison from Rocket Site,” Albany, The Times Union (October 9, 1991).
- 24.
“From Missiles to Microchips,” Albany, Business Review (February 3, 2003). In 1999, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency completed a five-year review of the Malta Rocket Fuel Area, concluding that soil remediation requirements had been satisfied. Drinking water and groundwater sampling continued thereafter. Luther Forest Technology Campus GEIS : Statement of Findings (Draft adopted by Stillwater Town Board, June 14, 2004), p. 23.
- 25.
“Nano Tech Valley: Saratoga County, Capital Region Economy Evolved as Experts Looked to Tech,” Troy, The Record (June 23, 2013).
- 26.
John S. Munsey, “Project Case Study: High Tech Land Development,” Civil & Structural Engineer (May 2006).
- 27.
Interview with Jack Kelley, Cohoes, New York (October 28, 2015).
- 28.
Chip Fab ’98 was led by Empire State Development and the Governor’s Office of Regulatory Reform. It engaged local and regional economic development agencies. “State Hunting for Chip-Fabricating Sites,” Albany, The Times Union (December 11, 1997).
- 29.
RPI’s George Low had employed pre-permitting as a tool for attracting tenants to the RPI Technology Park in the 1980s. Interview with Skidmore Professor Catherine Hill , Saratoga Springs, New York (September 16, 2015).
- 30.
“State Hunting for Chip-Fabricating Sites,” Albany, The Times Union (December 11, 1997). Robert King, Director of the Governor’s Office of Regulatory Reform, said that when permitting was completed, “officials could approach companies like IBM and Intel, show them a list of pre-approved sites … and explain that they could break ground in 30 to 60 days.” See “State is seeking Pre-Approved Sites for New Factories,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (February 1, 1998).
- 31.
“Luring Plants is Costly, Experts Say,” Albany, The Times Union (December 23, 1997).
- 32.
“State Site Tour Visits Aurelius,” Syracuse, The Post-Standard (February 5, 1998).
- 33.
“State is Seeking Pre-Approved Sites for New Factories,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (February 1, 1998).
- 34.
“8 Sites Proposed for New York Computer Chip Plant,” Albany, The Times Union (January 15, 1998); “State is Seeking Pre-Approved Sites for New Factories,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (February 1, 1998); “State Site Tour Visits Aurelius,” Syracuse, The Post-Standard (February 5, 1998).
- 35.
“Chip Plants Require Work,” Albany, The Times Union (March 1, 1998).
- 36.
“Nano Tech Valley: Saratoga County, Capital Region Economy Evolved as Experts Looked to Tech,” Troy, The Record (June 23, 2013).
- 37.
One site, Orchard Park in Erie County, was selected by IDC after local officials had already decided not to proceed with bidding the site. Another, the Airport Industrial Park in Niagara Falls, became “inactive” amidst disputes over who controlled the land and was responsible for pre-permitting. One site in the Capital Region, in the town of Bethlehem, was reportedly “not very active” because the relevant land and access roads were not controlled by a single owner. Another potential site, Merritt Park in East Fishkill, “had already been developed with a 700,000 square-foot warehouse for the Gap retail chain.” See “North Greenbush Isn’t the Only Site Having Trouble,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (October 24, 1999).
- 38.
“North Greenbush Chip Fab Permit Review on Track—Site Expected to be Shovel Ready by June,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (March 16, 1999). Rensselaer County budgeted $250,000 to help prepare the site, and RTP’s owner, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, offered 200 acres of land. Ibid.
- 39.
The board concluded that semiconductor fabrication was “heavy industry,” not consistent with RTP’s zoning, and that the board would not rezone the property. “RPI Cools Luring Chip Fab Plant—Second Thoughts Come as Schumer Presses Effects,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (November 30, 1999).
- 40.
Representatives of environmental organizations argued that chip fabs use toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process and consume an average of 3 million gallons of water a day. “Groups Raise Questions About Microchip Plants’ Toxins,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (April 21, 1999); “Proposed Chip Making Plant Carries Air Emissions Risk,” Albany, The Times Union (July 21, 1999).
- 41.
“North Greenbush Isn’t The Only Site Having Trouble,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (October 29, 1999).
- 42.
Kelly Lovell, President, Center for Economic Growth, in “Task Force Heads West in Order to Lure Chip Fab Plant,” Schenectady , The Daily Gazette (October 29, 2000).
- 43.
Interview with former Stillwater Town Supervisor Greg Connors (January 7, 2016). State Senate District 43 includes Saratoga Springs, Stillwater, Ballston Spa, Troy, and Rensselaer.
- 44.
“Economic Agency Seized an Opportunity,” Albany, The Times Union (May 9, 2004).
- 45.
“State Plans to Sell Malta Research Site,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (December 30, 1998).
- 46.
“Saratoga County Pushes Tech Park,” Albany, The Times Union (May 30, 2002). The 1,350-acre potential project site was privately owned by the Wright Malta Corporation and the Luther Forest Corporation. At the time the site was primarily a managed second-growth forest joined together by logging roads. After World War II, the portion owned by Wright Malta Corporation was a U.S. Army top secret testing facility for rocket technology. Luther Forest Technology Campus GEIS : Statement of Findings, Draft adopted by Stillwater Town Board (June 4, 2004), p. 3.
- 47.
NYSERDA’s parcel had never been previously zoned given its government ownership, which exempted it from local zoning. “Malta Zones Research Site Industrial” (December 28, 1999).
- 48.
“Luther Forest Site Supported for Empire Zone Program,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (November 1, 2000).
- 49.
“Pataki Announces Saratoga Technology Energy Park,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (August 21, 2001).
- 50.
“Economic Agency Seized an Opportunity,” Albany, The Times Union (May 9, 2004).
- 51.
“Malta Leaders’ Junket Questioned—Town Officials Went to Arizona to See Chip Manufacturing Plant,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (February 4, 2004).
- 52.
“Economic Agency Seized Opportunity,” Albany, The Times Union (May 9, 2004).
- 53.
“Economic Agency Seized Opportunity,” Albany, The Times Union (May 9, 2004).
- 54.
“High-Tech Business Campus Proposed in Malta,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (May 30, 2002).
- 55.
“Saratoga County Pushes Tech Park,” Albany, The Times Union (May 30, 2002).
- 56.
The Town of Malta’s zoning regulations provide that PDDs are intended to provide a means for development of entirely new residential commercial or industrial areas “in which certain economies of scale or creative architectural or planning concepts may be used by the developer without departing from the spiritual intent of this [zoning] chapter….” Town of Malta Regulations, Chapter 167, Article VII, § 167–26.
- 57.
“In a Forest, Two Roads Diverge,” Albany, The Times Union (May 9, 2004).
- 58.
Luther Forest Technology Campus GEIS: Statement of Findings, Draft adopted by Stillwater Town Board (June 4, 2004), p. 46.
- 59.
“Campus Poses Transport Challenge,” Albany, The Times Union (May 10, 2004).
- 60.
“Praise, Cash for Luther Forest,” Albany, The Times Union (July 7, 2005).
- 61.
“New Group Backs Chip Fab Plant—Luther Forest Project Object of Advocacy as Both Sides of Issue,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (April 13, 2004).
- 62.
“Malta Project Concerns Residents—Many Critical of Nano Technology Campus,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (July 25, 2002); “Technology Campus Met With Opposition,” Albany, The Times Union (June 28, 2002).
- 63.
“Computer Chip Plant Eyed for Tech Park,” Albany, The Times Union (June 4, 2002).
- 64.
“Where to Put Tech Park,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (July 27, 2002).
- 65.
“New Group Backs Chip Fab Plant—Luther Forest Project Object of Advocacy on Both Sides of Issue,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (April 13, 2004).
- 66.
“Past Lessons Shape Tech Proposal,” Albany, The Times Union (May 31, 2002); “Tech Park Study is Nearing Completion,” Albany, The Times Union (November 5, 2002). A Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) is a tool provided under SEQRA to identify and assess potential impacts of development issues with potential effects on the environment and land use in a defined geographical area. Detail is limited to a planning or conceptual level because no specific site plans associated with an actual development exist. The purpose of a GEIS is to identify early in the process potential effects and necessary mitigation measures. Luther Forest Technology Campus GEIS: Statement of Findings, Draft adopted by Stillwater Town Board (June 14, 2004), p. 1.
- 67.
“Malta Northway Exit Seen for Tech Park—Impact Study Eyes 2003 Start for Luther Forest Project,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (December 13, 2002).
- 68.
Interview with Greg Connors, who served as Stillwater town supervisor when the PDD was drafted (January 7, 2016).
- 69.
“SEDC Looks to Lure High-Tech Investment,” Albany, The Times Union (December 20, 2002).
- 70.
“Malta Tech Park Plan Advances—Board Ready for Comments on Environmental Study,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (January 17, 2003).
- 71.
“Board’s Vote Upsets Tech Park Opponents—Malta Officials Say Environmental Review Sufficient,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (October 17, 2003).
- 72.
“In a Forest, Two Roads Diverge,” Albany, The Times Union (May 9, 2004).
- 73.
“Malta Brining its High Tech Future Into Focus,” Albany, The Times Union (January 20, 2004).
- 74.
The Saratoga County Planning Board had recommended in November 2003 that the Malta and Stillwater town boards approve the Luther Forest projects. However, it attached 59 conditions to its approval, some of which the Malta Town Board regarded as “inappropriate.” Peterson concluded that for the town to override the planning board’s conditions required a supermajority vote. “Supermajority Need for Chip Fab Vote,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (February 11, 2004).
- 75.
“Luther Forest Proposal Dealt Setback,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (March 17, 2004).
- 76.
“Malta and Stillwater Town Boards Approve PDD for Luther Forest Technology Campus,” New York Real Estate Journal (June 3, 2008).
- 77.
“Rules Open Path for Chip Makers,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (May 19, 2004).
- 78.
“Boos and Bravos,” Glenn Falls, The Post-Star (May 24, 2004).
- 79.
Interview with former Stillwater Town Supervisor Greg Connors (January 7, 2016).
- 80.
Town of Stillwater Code, Art. XI § 211–162A(i)(a).
- 81.
“Developer Pays $4.8M for Luther Forest Land,” Albany, The Times Union (August 7, 2004).
- 82.
“State to Help Fund Technology Site,” Albany, The Times Union (January 28, 2005). “Details [of the state aid package] are being worked out with Gov. George Pataki and state Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno.” Ibid.
- 83.
“Chip Plant Hopes for Region Remain High,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (July 27, 2005).
- 84.
“1B Lure Forms for Chip Fab Site,” Albany, The Times Union (June 2, 2006).
- 85.
Luther Forest Technology Campus GEIS: Statement of Findings, Draft adopted by Stillwater Town Board (June 14, 2004), p. 8. Under the plan water would be pumped out of the river and treated at a plant in Moreau and piped 27 miles to Malta to support the technology campus.
- 86.
The county estimated that for the project to be economically feasible, it needed to sell 6 million gallons of water per day. However, the county had only been able to gather commitments of 1.8 million gallons from towns adjacent to the proposed new lines. “Tech Campus May be Key to Water Plan—Saratoga Public Works Chief Still Opposed to River Project,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (January 16, 2004).
- 87.
“Funding Boosts New Water System,” Albany, The Times Union (July 15, 2004).
- 88.
“County Loan to Fund Water System—$15 Million Earmarked to Guarantee Supply for Computer Chip Plant,” Albany, The Times Union (May 18, 2006).
- 89.
“Gov’t Allocates $2M for Northway Exit—Sweeney Pushes Effort to Build Tech Park in Malta,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (November 14, 2003). Round Lake with a population of about 1,000 began in the 1860s as a site for Methodist summer camp meetings. The tents that housed the original structures were gradually replaced by cottages, and in the 1880s, lectures based on the Chatauqua Institution were delivered there. In 1975, the Round Lake Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places. A village trustee once observed that “the whole village is an antique shop,” and another observed characterized it as a “village so rooted in the 19th Century a horse and buggy would fit right in.” See “Nothing Easy About Tech Campus,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (February 4, 2006).
- 90.
“Malta Won’t Require Tech Campus Developer to Fund All Traffic Projects,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (May 1, 2004).
- 91.
Round Lake Mayor Dixie Lee Sacks sought the bypass because “we have as much traffic as we can handle on our small streets. The development going on around us is phenomenal.” See “Campus Poses Transport Challenges,” Albany, The Times Union (May 10, 2004).
- 92.
Projects included the rebuilding and paving of Cold Springs Road, then a dirt road east of the campus running north-south and the construction of several intersections and/or roundabouts. “Luther Area to Get Road Funding—$10 Million Slated for Paving, New Intersections,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (December 20, 2005).
- 93.
“Panel to Consider Impact of Sewers—Saratoga County Committee Named to Study Effects of Technology Park,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (April 30, 2004).
- 94.
“Room is Promised at Sewer Plant—Industrial Wastewater Expected from Technology Campus,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (February 23, 2006).
- 95.
“2 NY Sites on Chip List: Clay and Aurelius Land Spots as State’s List of 13 Sites to be Promoted for Microchip Factories,” Syracuse, The Post-Standard (March 4, 1998).
- 96.
“North Greenbush Isn’t the Only Site Having Trouble,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (October 24, 1999).
- 97.
In Cayuga County, five years after designation of 220 acres as a Chip Fab ’98 site, the only business operating on the land was Oswego Beverage, a distributor of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and local authorities were pursuing a seed and fertilizer company as a possible occupant. “Cayuga County Chairman Plants Seed for Fertilizer Company,” Syracuse, The Post-Standard (January 14, 2003).
- 98.
“Nano Tech Valley: Saratoga County, Capital Region Economy Evolved as Experts Looked to Tech,” Troy, The Record (June 23, 2013).
- 99.
“$1B Lure for Chip Fab Site,” Albany, The Times Union (June 2, 2006).
- 100.
“Tech Valley Dreams Alive After AMD Decision,” Albany, The Times Union (May 31, 2006).
- 101.
“Tech Valley Dreams Alive After AMD Decision,” Albany, The Times Union (May 31, 2006).
- 102.
“Chip Plant Hopes for Region Remain High—Intel to Build $3 Billion Plant at Company’s Site in Arizona,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (July 27, 2005).
- 103.
“New York State’s Big Subsidies Bolster Upstate’s winning Bid for AMD’s $3.2-Billion 300-MM Fab,” Site Selection (July 10, 2006).
- 104.
“Chance to Land Chip-Fab Deal,” Albany, The Times Union (April 16, 2006).
- 105.
“Tech Valley Dreams Alive After AMD Decision,” Albany, The Times Union (May 31, 2006).
- 106.
“Buzz Helped Attract AMD—Saratoga Economic Development Corp. Chief Says Targeting Behind the Scenes People Was Key,” Albany, The Times Union (September 15, 2007).
- 107.
John S. Munsey, “Project Case Study: High Tech Land Development,” Civil & Structural Engineer (May 2006).
- 108.
Former AMD CEO Hector Ruiz recalls that “AMD was exceptional at making things. We had managed process control at our plant so tightly—more tightly than anyone had imagined was possible—that we were able to patent the process. The science behind it came from the oil industry and employed statistical models. We could control quality and cost better than even Intel. But no one outside the company seemed to know about our success on the factory floor…” Hector Ruiz, Slingshot: AMD’s Fight to Free an Industry from the Ruthless Grip of Intel (Austin, Texas: Greenleaf Book Group Press, 2013), p. 9.
- 109.
“Income Surges for AMD—But Threat of Price War With Intel Raises Concern,” San Jose Mercury News (July 21, 2006).
- 110.
“$3.2B AMD Plant Big Lift to Region—State Package Key to Luther Forest Success,” Albany, The Times Union (June 24, 2006).
- 111.
Bruno said “either you fold up and walk away, or you deliver a message to the world that New York state is going to step up. And that’s exactly what we did.” See “Bruno: AMD Bid at $1.3B,” Albany, The Times Union (April 29, 2008).
- 112.
“The U.S. $4B Project that Got Away from Singapore,” The Business Times (March 27, 2009).
- 113.
“$3.2B AMD Plant Big Lift to Region—State Package Key to Luther Forest Success,” Albany, The Times Union (June 24, 2006). Publicly funded infrastructure projects included $53 million to expand Saratoga County sewer capacity, $67 million for construction of a water line to serve the Luther Forest site, $22.4 million to build the Round Lake bypass, and $16 million to build transmission lines and a power substation to supply electricity to the fab. “Quest for Chip Factory Hits Paydirt,” Albany, The Times Union (July 25, 2009).
- 114.
“Saratoga County Chosen for Multimillion Dollar Microchip Plant,” Troy, The Record (June 24, 2006).
- 115.
“Saratoga County Chosen for Multimillion Dollar Microchip Plant,” Troy, The Record (June 24, 2006).
- 116.
Empire Zone credits were extended for new employees, capital investment and property taxes paid. “Empire Zones Filled With Unknowns—No One Knows How Much They Cost the State or How Many Jobs They Create,” Syracuse, The Post-Standard (November 23, 2003).
- 117.
“Officials Glad for Empire Zones’ End,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (September 6, 2009).
- 118.
“Paterson Seeks End of Empire Zones,” Albany, The Times Union (January 7, 2010).
- 119.
“Cuomo Balks at Cash for Second Plant,” Albany, The Times Union (June 30, 2011).
- 120.
“GLOBAL FOUNDRIES—2010 Gold Shovel Project of the Year,” Area Development (July 2010).
- 121.
John S. Munsey, “Project Case Study: High Tech Land Development,” Civil and Structural Engineering (May 2006).
- 122.
“Tech Valley Vision Pays Off Big—Chip Maker AMD Hopes Rivals Will Also Build Plants in Region,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (June 24, 2006).
- 123.
In a prepared statement the company said in June 2006 that “the location of potential manufacturing operations near joint research and development facilities in New York [will] support faster time to market with more aggressive process technologies.” See “Chip Fab seen as First Step on a Path,” Albany, The Times Union (June 25, 2006).
- 124.
“IBM Lands Semiconductor Deal Worth Millions,” Albany, The Times Union (January 9, 2003).
- 125.
“Straining” or “stretching” silicon accelerates the flow of electrons through transistors, which improves performance and decreases power consumption. Stress levels are determined by shining light on silicon and measuring changes on the wavelengths of the light. AMD chose CNSE as the site for this research because of its expertise and equipment. AMD’s director of external research said that “this type of research hinges on having the right facility, and Albany NanoTech has that critical combination of infrastructure and expertise. By joining with Albany NanoTech, we’ve found a cost-effective way to stay on the cutting edge in this area of nanoscale research.” “Shedding Light on a Miniscule Problem,” Albany, The Times Union (November 10, 2004); “Advanced Micro Devices to Conduct Research at Albany Nano Tech,” Albany Business Review (November 9, 2004).
- 126.
“More Chips in the Tech Jackpot,” Albany, The Times Union (July 19, 2005).
- 127.
“Spinoff Businesses Likely to Follow,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (June 21, 2006).
- 128.
“RPI’s Supercomputer Suits AMD,” Albany, The Times Union (September 19, 2007); “After AMD, Other Firms Are Interested,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (June 27, 2006).
- 129.
“RPI’s Supercomputer Among the World’s Strongest,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (September 8, 2007).
- 130.
“RPI Supercomputer Suits AMD,” Albany, The Times Union (September 19, 2007).
- 131.
“AMD, Intel Race to the Bottom,” Forbes (June 28, 2006).
- 132.
“AMD’s Q4 Retreats Under Competition—ATI By Adds Debt, Intel’s New Chip ‘Inflicting Pain,’” San Jose Mercury News (January 4, 2007).
- 133.
“AMD, Intel Price War Revisited,” <http://www.Peridotcapital.com/2007/01/amd-intel-price-war-revisited.html>.
- 134.
“Is AMD in Trouble? Money Woes Muddy Plan for Malta Site,” Albany, The Times Union (March 10, 2007).
- 135.
“Is AMD in Trouble? Money Woes Muddy Plan for Malta Site,” Albany, The Times Union (March 10, 2007).
- 136.
“Saratoga Plant Reported Still a Go Despite AMD Money Woes,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (March 10, 2007).
- 137.
“Saratoga Plant Reported Still a Go Despite AMD Money Woes,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (March 10, 2007).
- 138.
“AMD Begins Design Work for Chip Plant,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (March 2, 2007).
- 139.
“AMD Insists Chip Fab is a Go,” Albany, The Times Union (July 20, 2007).
- 140.
Hector Ruiz, Slingshot: AMD’s Fight to Free an Industry from the Ruthless Grip of Intel (Austin, TX: Greenleaf Book Press, 2013), p. 8.
- 141.
Sematech, Annual Report (Austin: Sematech,1991).
- 142.
Semiconductor Industry Association, China’s Emerging Semiconductor Industry: The Impact of China’s Preferential Valve Added Tax as Current Investment Trends (October 2003) Appendix 2.
- 143.
Semiconductor Industry Association , “Policy Priorities: Tax,” http://www.semiconductors.org/issues/tax/tax .
- 144.
“Samsung to Invest Additional $9.2 billion in its $14.44 billion fab,” KitGuru (April 15, 2015).
- 145.
A 2011 presentation by GlobalFoundries estimated that a 450mm fab with a capacity of 40,000–45,000 wafer struts/month could produce the same volume of die as a 300mm fab with 100k wafer starts per month. Cost savings of 20–25% per die were forecast using 22mm design rules. GlobalFoundries, Reaping the Benefit of the 450mm Transition (Semicon West, 2011).
- 146.
Future Horizons, Smart 2010/062: Benefits and Measures to Setup 450mm Semiconductor Prototyping and Keep Semiconductor Manufacturing in Europe (Luxembourg: Office of Official Publications, February 16, 2012).
- 147.
“TSMC to Spend $10 Billion Building 450mm Wafer Factory,” Reuters (June 12, 2012).
- 148.
“AMD Secures Option on Luther Forest Site,” Albany, The Times Union (December 13, 2007).
- 149.
“AMD Putting Its Team Together—Local Attorneys, Engineers Would Represent Firm,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (January 30, 2008).
- 150.
“AMD Plans Gaining Focus—Company Says it Wants to Start Work on Chip Factory by January as Review Process Begins,” Albany, The Times Union (February 26, 2008).
- 151.
“AMD Strategy Poses Risk to Chip Fab Plan,” Albany, The Times Union (April 26, 2007).
- 152.
“AMD Insists Chip Fab is a Go,” Albany, The Times Union (July 20, 2007).
- 153.
Mead cited the analogy of the printing business and argued that semiconductor design could be separated from the semiconductor manufacturing process, much as the author of a book operates in a separate sphere from the printing company manufacturing books. In the early 1980s, the President of Taiwan’s government Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) had a daughter who was one of Mead’s students, who suggested that Mead be invited to Taiwan. Mead made the visit and his ideas had a profound impact on ITRI officials. The former head of ITRI, Chintay Shin, recalled later that “I was thrilled the first time I heard about Mead’s concept.” Interview with Chintay Shin, “Taiwanese IT Pioneers: Chintay Shin,” recorded February 21, 2011 (Computer History Museum, 2011), pp. 14–15.
- 154.
Robert Tsao, the founder of Taiwan’s United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), recalled that ITRI set up an internal semiconductor manufacturing plant and transferred it to TSMC on very concessional terms: “So after [ITRI] spending five years and 100 million U.S. dollars on construction, the second demonstration plant was built, and about 500 to 600 trainees were all sublet to TSMC. Therefore, TSMC had [the] foundry at first and they only needed to spend two million U.S. dollars on subletting the foundry. Apart from this ITRI even gave TSMC seven million U.S. dollars to subsidize the cost of subletting the foundry…. In other words the first 3 and half years of running TSMC was for free and it went very well under the protection of Ministry of Economic Affairs.” Interview with Robert Tsao, “Taiwanese IT Pioneers: Robert H.C. Tsao,” recorded February 17, 2011 (Computer History Museum), p. 9.
- 155.
“Foundry Sales Defy IC Decline,” EETimes (October 22, 2015).
- 156.
“AMD Boss Out Amid $1.19B Loss,” Albany, The Times Union (July 18, 200); “AMD Factory Still on Track,” Albany, The Times Union (July 19, 2008).
- 157.
“Abu Dhabi Money Fuels AMD Project,” Troy, The Record (October 7, 2008).
- 158.
“AMD Deal Marks a ‘New Dawn,’” Albany, The Times Union (October 8, 2008).
- 159.
“Fabless Future: Struggling AMD Spin-off Factories,” Associated Press (October 7, 2008).
- 160.
“AMD Reveals More Details,” Troy, The Record (October 12, 2008).
- 161.
“AMD’s New Investors Make Big Bet on Chip Plants,” Ocala, Star Banner (October 8, 2008).
- 162.
“AMD Reveals More Details,” Troy, The Record (October 12, 2008).
- 163.
“Fab Feeling: ‘Guess What Guys; It Happened’” Albany, The Times Union (October 9, 2008).
- 164.
“AMD Deal Needs to Vote,” Albany, The Times Union (October 12, 2008). The deal also required transfer of some German subsidies from AMD to the Foundry Company. “AMD Reveals More Details,” Troy, The Record (October 12, 2008).
- 165.
“NYS Approves $650M for AMD,” Troy, The Record (December 2, 2008); “State Oks AMD Benefits Transfer,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (December 18, 2008).
- 166.
“AMD Deal Gets Federal Approval,” Albany, The Times Union (January 7, 2009).
- 167.
“AMD Ballot Succeeds on Second Try,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (February 19, 2009).
- 168.
“AMD Unveils Site Plans,” Glens Falls, The Post-Star (February 3, 2009).
- 169.
“GlobalFoundries Newest Name for AMD in Malta,” Troy, The Record (March 5, 2009).
- 170.
“Unions Went to Work at Fab,” Albany, The Times Union (March 19, 2009). Malloy was President of the New York State Building and Construction Trades Council, an umbrella group representing unionized construction workers in New York State.
- 171.
A GlobalFoundries spokesman said the company expected at least 70% union labor but hoped to avoid entering into a labor agreement. “The goal is to come to a[n] understanding without having to put it in writing.” He noted that certain technical aspects of the fab’s construction would require bringing in outside help. “70 Percent Union Labor to go Into Factory Construction. GlobalFoundries Says,” Glens Falls, The Post-Star (March 24, 2009).
- 172.
“Unions Want Work at Fab,” Albany, The Times Union (March 19, 2009); “Paterson’s Help Sought in Dispute,” Albany, The Times Union (March 20, 2009).
- 173.
“Paterson’s Help Sought in Dispute,” Albany, The Times Union (March 20, 2009); “Labor Deal Stalls Chip Fab Factory,” Albany, The Times Union (May 9, 2009).
- 174.
The agreement reportedly included a cap on wage increases during the life of the project, with no raises above 3%. Seventeen percent of the project would be reserved for companies not engaging in collective bargaining. Up to 7% of the project could go to specialty contractors when union labor could not perform specific tasks. “Deal Includes Union Pay,” Albany, The Times Union (June 3, 2009).
- 175.
“Deal Includes Union Pay,” Albany, The Times Union (June 3, 2009).
- 176.
GlobalFoundries was also slated to receive about $550 million in Empire Zone tax incentives and infrastructure support. “Work to Begin on Chip Plant,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (June 10, 2009).
- 177.
“Work to Begin on Chip Plant,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (June 10, 2009).
- 178.
Malta’s Town Board hoped that AMD would pay half the cost of a community center expansion project that was already under way and half the cost of a central fire state that could serve both Malta and Round Lake. “Town Raps AMD Plant Wish List,” Glen Falls, The Post-Star (March 20, 2008).
- 179.
Tisdale indicated that AMD’s local charitable contribution in areas in which it operated was weighted two-thirds in favor of education and the other third on the basis of need. AMD also responded positively to a proposal that it would make “a concerted effort to hire locally and use local vendors.” “Town Raps AMD Plant Wish List,” Glen Falls, The Post-Star (March 20, 2008).
- 180.
The agreement provided with respect to the trust fund that 90% of the interest on the fund was to be paid out in the form of grants, to be made available to projects driven by the town governments, private organizations, nonprofits, and other entities at the discretion of the board of trustees of the fund. The five-member board would control the remaining interest generated by the fund. Two trustees would be appointed by AMD, two by the town, and the fifth by the four other trustees. To the extent that a third party made a “substantial contribution” to the fund, the trustees could expand the membership of the board to enable participation by the new donor. “Malta, AMD Discuss Benefits,” Saratoga Springs, The Saratogian (December 7, 2008).
- 181.
“Malta, AMD Discuss Benefits,” Saratoga Springs, The Saratogian (December 7, 2008); “$4M AMD Community Gift Detailed,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (December 3, 2008).
- 182.
“AMD to Submit Plans After Holidays,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (December 23, 2008).
- 183.
“In Brief,” Albany, The Times Union (June 9, 2009).
- 184.
“Chip Maker Gets OK to Clear Land,” Schenectady, The Daily Gazette (March 12, 2009).
- 185.
“Fab Land Deal Nears,” Albany, The Times Union (April 1, 2009).
- 186.
“Earth Movers Rumble Onto Site,” Albany, The Times Union (June 16, 2009).
- 187.
“More Chips Coming to Saratoga County,” Troy, The Record (July 25, 2009).
- 188.
As noted in the front matter of this book, the study also drew on interviews carried out by the authors and numerous articles from The Times Union (Albany), The Daily Gazette (Schenectady), the Albany Business Review (Albany), The Post-Star (Glens Falls), The Record (Troy) , The Saratogian (Saratoga Springs), The Buffalo News (Buffalo), The Observer-Dispatch (Utica), The Daily Messenger (Canandaigua), and the Post-Standard (Syracuse). These are not individually included in the bibliography.
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Wessner, C.W., Howell, T.R. (2020). Establishing a Foundation for Nanotechnology Manufacturing. In: Regional Renaissance. International Studies in Entrepreneurship, vol 42. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21194-3_4
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