Governor Intros $4B Millimeter Chip Project. Saves 2,500 jobs, adds 950 at IBM

WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From the Governor’s Press Office.(EDITED) September 27, 2011:


Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York State has entered into agreements providing for investments valued at a total of $4.4 billion over the next five years from five leading international companies to create the next generation of computer chip technology. IBM fascilities in Westchester County at East Fishkill and Yorktown Heights in Westchester will see 900 new jobs and 2,500 positions retained as part of the program.


The five companies involved are Intel, IBM, GLOBALFOUNDRIES, TSMC and Samsung. New York State secured the investments in competition with countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.


The agreements mark an historic level of private investment in the nanotechnology sector in New York. Research and development facilities will be located in Albany, Canandaigua, Utica, East Fishkill and Yorktown Heights. In addition, Intel separately agreed to establish its 450mm East Coast Headquarters to support the overall project management in Albany.


 


“This unprecedented private investment in New York’s economy will create thousands of jobs and make the state the epicenter for the next generation of computer chip technology,” Governor Cuomo said.


“IBM, which is celebrating 100 years in New York, Intel, which is making its most significant investment in New York, as well as TSMC, Global Foundries and Samsung now recognize that the state is on its way to becoming a premier location for jobs, which is why these companies are making this major investment. In the last nine months, my administration has worked to create a more confident environment for doing business in New York, and major deals like this one prove that the state is truly open for business.”


The investment in these two efforts will result in the creation and retention of approximately 6,900 jobs. That number includes 2,500 additional high-technology positions comprising of:



  • 800 at CNSE Albany NanoTech Complex

  • 950 at IBM – Yorktown Heights and IBM – East Fishkill,

  • 450 at SUNY Institute of Technology (SUNYIT) in Utica

  • 300 at CNSE’s Smart System Technology & Commercialization Center in Canandaigua

In addition, approximately 1,500 construction jobs will be created in Albany and 400 in Utica. As a result of the investment 2,500 existing jobs in Albany, Canandaigua and East Fishkill will be retained.


No private company will receive any state funds as part of the agreement.


To support the project, New York State will invest $400 million in the SUNY College for Nanoscale and Science Engineering (CNSE) in Albany, including $100 million for energy efficiency and low cost energy allowances. The state investment in CNSE will be made over a five year period. The state investment will be directed entirely to CNSE, and all tools and equipment acquired through the investment will be owned by CSNE.


Paul Otellini, Intel Corporation President and CEO said, “The Global 450 Consortium is a critical element to moving the semiconductor industry to next generation wafer size. This new technology will reduce the cost of production, increase productivity for manufacturers and reduce our environmental footprint on a per chip basis. The involvement of the College for Nanoscale and Science Engineering and the State of New York will enable the industry to meet its goals.”


The investment in the state is made up of two projects.


 The first project, which will be led by IBM and its partners, will focus on making the next two generations of computer chips. These new chips will power advanced systems of all sizes, including, among other things computers and national security applications. This new commitment by IBM brings its total investment in chip technology in New York to more than $10 billion in the last decade.


The second project, which is a joint effort by Intel, IBM, TSMC, Global Foundries and Samsung, will focus on transforming existing 300mm technology into the new 450mm technology. The new technology will produce more than twice the number of chips processed on today’s 300 mm wafers thus lowering costs to deliver future generations of technology with greater value and lower environmental impact.


This investment will have other beneficial economic impacts in New York. The project will include a private “Made in NY” initiative to support the potential purchase of $400 million in certain tools and equipment from companies around New York State to create, attract, and retain manufacturers and suppliers across the state.


In addition, the companies will support a $15 million fund to increase the role of minority and women owned businesses. These technology developments may facilitate the possibility of building a 450mm plant in New York state. These plants are projected to cost in excess of $10 billion each.


Semiconductors are central to modern devices from computers and cell phones to automobiles and airplanes and the industry is the cornerstone of the “innovation economy.” Semiconductors are the nation’s largest export industry and generate billions of dollars in revenue. New York State’s investments in the semiconductor industry began in 1988 with the establishment of the advanced semiconductor program at SUNY Albany under the SUNY Graduate Research Initiative created by Governor Mario Cuomo and was cemented in 1993 with the establishment of the Center for Advanced Technology at SUNY Albany by Governor Mario Cuomo, which later became the basis for the College of Nanoscale Engineering.

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FASNY: $22M Yearly to W.P. 85-Acre Preserve. Traffic Fits. Decision: 2012

WPCNR Common Council Chronicle-Examiner. By John F. Bailey. September 27, 2011 UPDATED 2:15 P.M. E.D.T. UPDATED 12 NOON E.D.T. September 28, 2011:


 


The French American School of New York promised  their 1,200-student, three-school complex planned for the defunct Ridgeway Country Club property would generate for White Plains $22 Million in annual revenues from sales, property and mortgage taxes, and direct construction revenues of $108 Million, including 751 construction jobs worth $37 Million alone.


 


The campus design traffic plan proposes entrance into the proposed campus and egress from it via Ridgeway Avenue only, using Hathaway Lane as the exit route. FASNY officials said there would be no northern exit route (to Bryant Avenue) allowed on Hathaway Lane.


 


In a traffic capacity analysis, FASNY maintained that the capacity of Ridgeway and surrounding streets, based on vehicle counts for Ridgeway Avenue, Mamaroneck Avenue, Bryant Avenue and North Street figures from the White Plains Commissioner of Traffic, Tom Soyk, could handle the expected increase in vehicles.


 


The estimated increase in traffic on Ridgeway is estimated to be 2,504 more vehicles at pick-up and drop-off times of the school, a total 7,504 vehicles the entire day average,up from the present 5,000. 


 


City capacity estimates for that road would increase with the addition of the school traffic Ridgeway volume 13% to a total of 40% (7,504) of its Ridgeway Avenue designed capacity of about 19,000 vehicles a day. Design of interior parking drop-offs included an arrangement that Councilman Benjamin Boykin likened to a Hertz Rent-a-Car dropoff. Councilperson Beth Smayda worried about student drivers adding to the traffic flow.


 


(WPCNR Editor’s Note, clarified from a reader’s question:   The figure of 2,500 additional cars, buses  a day estimated to be added by the school is the average total vehicles added for the day.)


 


Geoff Thompson, spokesman for the French American School of New York clarified to WPCNR Thursday that 2,504 is the total increased traffic at the peak hours, in a statement today as first reported by WPCNR in this story. Thompson comfirmed that 1,170 vehicles was in the original Environmental assessment Form and the 2,504 figure is a doubling of that and refers only to the peak hour increases, only incremental  increases are expected on the hours when school is in session.


 



 


The presentation promised state-of-the-art recycling of storm water they claimed would sharply reduce the outflow of storm water during extensive rains. They explained that the existing lake on the property had existed prior to 1974, and that their suspension of irrigation of the club property had already cutback on flooding conditions, citing public comment to that effect.


 


Michael Zarin, the lead spokesperson and counsel for FASNY said the scope of the FASNY proposal matches most of the objections of the draft recreation lands zoning being considered by the city. Afterwards, WPCNR asked the affect of the setbacks demanded by the draft city ordinance applying to schools. Zarin said, “we’re hoping they will change that.”


The proposal expands the building portion of the property by 3% to 8.69% of the property. Currently, existing buildings, tennis courts and parking for the clubhouse, pool and outbuildings occupy 5.6% of the property.


 


Michael Zarin, the school counsel  (Zarin & Steinmetz) spearheading the presentation, said FASNY would preserve 85 acres for “passive recreation,” and place it under the management of a public-private land management concern. He said FASNY is in talks with the Westchester Trust for Public Land as a possibility for such an arrangement. Renderings were shown of trail paths through the 85 acres as FASNY vision for the project


 


Councilman Benjamin Boykin said in his comments that the process had a long way to go, but that he wanted FASNY to explain how they obtained their revenue estimates as one of his concerns, and of course, traffic.


 


Councilman David Buchwald brought out the condition that the proposed theatre and WPCNR believes the Gymnasium are built into a raised parking lot as part of a hill. No model was presented by FASNY and no topography street level view was presented.


 


Councilmen Dennis Power and John Martin did not comment. Councilwoman Milagros Lecuona asked FASNY to recolor the Lee property from the drawing of the site plan because it was misleading.


 


At the close, Mayor Tom Roach announced a Scoping session to receive public input on the project is scheduled for the next Common Council meeting October 3, in which the public is invited to comment on matters to be included in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement preparation.


 


At the close, Mr. Zarin also presented a timeline for the city indicating that the school expected to furnish the Draft Environmental Impact Statement this winter; the Public Hearing on the DEIS and Hearing on the Special Permit in Spring 2012; furnishing the Final Environmental Impact Statement  by next summer; adopting the SEQRA findings by next fall, and expects a decision on the application in December 2012, 9 months before the next Mayoral election (November, 2013).


 


The proposal moved briskly for an hour and a half . but because it was a work session (Mayor Roach emphatically announced it was not a Special Meeting  of the Common Council, as it was noticed as same) it was seen only by the 35 persons who attended, even though the Common Council chambers where it was held were equipped for television and live internetcast. 


 


The crowd included about 17 persons who were citizenry with about 18 persons representing FASNY, neighborhood officials and the City. Only those attending saw the complete breadth and depth of the FASNY proposal, rivaling those of developer Louis Cappelli presentations a decade ago.


 


No explanation was given by city hall for the decision not to telecast or internet the presentation. Karen Pasquale, Senior Advisor to the Mayor, wrote in a statement to WPCNR this morning, “Tonight’s work session will not be televised. Consistent with past practice, work sessions are not televised.”

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Columbus Day Italian-American Festival This Weekend

 

WPCNR EVENTS. From the Mayor’s Office. September 26, 2011:


A little bit of Italy and more comes to the campus of White Plains High School this fall with the 2nd annual Columbusb Day Festival, a fun-filled, three-day celebration held as part of the October Italian Heritage and Culture Month festivities. Organized by The White Plains Columbus Day Parade Committee Inc. in cooperation with The City of White Plains, the event promises to offer something for all ages.


“We’re very excited to do this for the community because it’s family-oriented,” said Committee Chairperson Frank Tarone. “We’re expecting lots of families, lots of grandparents with grandkids who are excited because they can all do things together,” he added.



In addition to the food and traditional carnival rides and games, the Festival will have vendors offering a diverse list of retail items, including jewelry, crafted goods and toys. Attendees will have ample opportunities to be entertained by the numerous and varied performers that are scheduled to appear. While Italian American musical acts dominate the line-up, there’s also a Caribbean-inspired dance band (The LINC) on the program for Friday night. Additionally, several local performing arts schools will showcase their talented student ensembles during the afternoon on Saturday and Sunday.


“We also want to keep up our Italian Heritage,” remarked Committee Chairman Tarone, noting that this year’s Italian heritage theme, the 150th Anniversary of the Unification of Italy, is a time to reflect on the country’s rich heritage. It’s a heritage that fostered the “spirit of exploration and courage that inspired Christopher Columbus’s 1492 expedition that we commemorate with the Festival.” White Plains Mayor Thomas M. Roach is set to officiate at Friday’s opening night ceremonies to officially proclaim October as Italian Heritage and Culture Month in the City,and acknowledge the many contributions Italian Americans have made to the city.


Another highlight of the Festival will be the presentation of the 2011 Miss Columbus by David bPope of the Generoso Pope Foundation. White Plains High School senior Daniela Mangano is the recipient of this year’s scholarship award made possible by the Pope Foundation, one of the event’s primary sponsors. Wells Fargo and the Journal News are additional sponsors, as are Cappelli Enterprises, Inc., Community Mutual Savings Bank and Tony Casale, Inc. among others.


A full schedule of events and performance times is listed on the event website at


www.columbusdayparade.com with pertinent information as follows:


WHEN Friday, September 30: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM


Saturday, October 1: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM


Sunday, October 2: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM


WHERE On the Campus of White Plains High School


550 North Street, White Plains, NY


Enter on the North Street Entrance. Admission and Parking are Free.


MUSIC Host DJ Ken is the MC throughout the entire Festival


Friday: Linc Band, Alfio


Saturday: Salvo Randazzo, Don Felice, Gianni (Organetto)


Sunday: Primavera


PERFORMANCES Saturday: La Piazza di Carolina, City Center Dance Troup,


NY Performing Arts Dancers, Bushido School of Karate


Sunday: WP Taiko/Sakura Drum Team, WPHS Marching Band,


The Flynn School Irish Dancers


For more information or to participate in the Festival, contact Committee Co-Chair Mario


Cermele at (914) 325-1239.


About the White Plains Columbus Day Parade Committee, Inc.


The White Plains Columbus Day Parade Committee, Inc., (WPCDPC) is a branch of the


Antonio Meucci Lodge #213, Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA), in White Plains, NY. A


501(c)(3), all-volunteer organization, the WPCDPC works to preserve and promote Italian


heritage and promote education and study of the Italian language through its scholarship


programs. All proceeds of the Festival go towards its scholarship programs and help fund other


charitable endeavors. The Antonio Meucci Lodge is a subordinate Lodge of the Order Sons of


Italy in America, the oldest and largest national organization in the US of Italian American men


and women. For more information about the Lodge, visit www.antoniomeuccilodge.com.


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3.5% Rate of Metro NY-NJ inflation Puts Pressure on City Police-Fire Negotiation

 


 


WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. By John F. Bailey. September 26, 2011:


 


The inflation rate for the New York-New Jersey Metropolitan area was running at a 3.5% annual rate through August, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  The escalating inflation looms as extra pressure now as city negotiations with the police, fire and teamsters unions continue.


 


Though WPCNR awaits a call back from  Robert Riley,  the President of the White Plains Police Benevolent Association, Joe Carrier, President of the White Plains Firefighters union did and said the inflation rate certainly is a consideration. Asked what was happening on the negotiations with the city, Carrier said,


 


“There’s not too much to report. Negotiations are moving forward. We’re negotiating in good faith. It’s premature to think (binding) arbitration. We’re negotiating now to address certain issues. We now have one rig completely out of service (not staffed). We are down  15 firefighters .”


 


Asked if the city was committed by the terms of accepting a federal grant last spring to rehire 7 firefighters layed off in 2010, not to layoff any firefighters, Carrier confirmed that. “They are committed for two years.” This apparently means any salary increase could not be funded through layoffs of the firefighters. Carrier said he also hoped to resolve the issue on health insurance for retirees now in federal court with the city.


 


 Carrier said the inflation rate could justify some kind of increase. He thought an arbitrator might take the inflation momentum very seriously.


 


In the last police and fire union contract settled through binding arbitration in 2009,  the city chose to go to binding arbitration and was told to award police and fire 3.75% raises which they did. To see that report go to http://www.whiteplainscnr.com/article7781.html


 


 


 

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