What Is the Green CHIPS Community Investment Fund?
When Micron agreed to build its megafab in Clay, NY, part of the deal was a $500 million community investment commitment designed to ensure the economic benefits reach all Central New Yorkers — not just Micron employees.
The fund is structured as a partnership between Empire State Development (ESD), which contributes $100 million, and Micron, which commits $250 million, with an additional $150 million expected from private philanthropy and other partners. It runs over 20 years.
Workforce Development
Training programs, apprenticeships, career pathway programs connecting residents to semiconductor industry jobs.
Education
K-12 STEM programs, community college curriculum, university partnerships, and educational infrastructure.
Community Investments
Childcare, transportation, community development, and quality of life improvements.
Housing
Affordable and equitable housing development to accommodate regional growth without displacing existing residents.
Who Actually Qualifies?
This is the most important thing to understand: the Green CHIPS CIF is not primarily for product or material suppliers to Micron. It’s for organizations creating community benefit around Micron’s presence in CNY.
Strong fit — likely to qualify:
Nonprofits running workforce training programs. Community colleges expanding semiconductor-related curriculum. Childcare providers building or expanding near the fab site. Affordable housing developers in Onondaga County. Transportation providers improving access to the Clay site. Organizations serving underrepresented populations in the region.
Weaker fit — probably not this program:
Direct product or material suppliers to Micron. Businesses seeking general operating support. Companies outside Central New York. For-profit businesses without a clear community benefit component.
How to Apply — Step by Step
-
Read the Community Priorities Document (CPD) first
The CPD was developed from 12,700+ community voices and defines what the fund prioritizes. Your application will be evaluated against it. Find it at esd.ny.gov/green-chips-community-investment-fund.
-
Attend an ESD community workshop before submitting
ESD ran workshops to help applicants understand the CPD and process. New workshops will likely be announced when Round 2 opens. These are free and worth attending before submitting your LOI.
-
Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) when the round opens
Your LOI should describe your project, the community benefit it creates, which funding category it falls under, and how it aligns with CPD priorities. Keep it concise — 2 to 3 pages maximum. Round 1 closed abruptly on January 31, 2025. Don’t wait until the last day.
-
Wait for invitation to Phase 2
If your LOI meets requirements, ESD and Micron will invite you to submit a full application through New York State’s Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) portal. An invitation is not a guarantee of funding.
-
Submit full application via CFA
ESD will consider grant requests over $100,000 from its $100M allocation. Micron’s $250M allocation has separate decision criteria. The CFA is New York State’s centralized grant application system.
Other Grant Programs Worth Knowing
| Program | Who It’s For | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Excelsior Jobs Program | Businesses creating jobs or expanding operations | Refundable tax credits for job creation and capital investment |
| NY SMART I-Corridor MEP | Manufacturers entering the semiconductor supply chain | Free assessments and access to certification support |
| CHIPS Act Workforce Grants | Training providers, community colleges | Must show semiconductor employer support |
| SBA SBIR Program | Businesses with semiconductor-related R&D | Early-stage development funding |