IBM is among several technology companies involved in the Quad-C/ Computer Chip Commercialization Center research site under construction at SUNY Poly, formerly known as SUNYIT.

When asked about the impact of the GlobalFoundries company’s plans to acquire IBM’s commercial semiconductor technology business, SUNY Poly spokesman Jerry Gretzinger said “the news is extremely positive and further strengthens the consortium at Quad-C.”

The agreement will enable IBM “to further focus on fundamental semiconductor research” and the development of related systems, said an announcement Monday by IBM and GlobalFoundries regarding a definitive agreement for the approximately $1.5 billion deal. GlobalFoundries, whose current operations include computer-chip manufacturing facilities in New York’s capital region, would acquire IBM semiconductor manufacturing sites in downstate New York and Vermont as part of the agreement.

The transaction should strengthen relationships at SUNY Poly and is a “positive announcement as it relates to the entire state,” said Steven DiMeo, president of the Mohawk Valley EDGE economic development organization. He said IBM already has announced it still will be involved in research and development efforts including SUNY Poly.

IBM spokesman Clint Roswell said there is “still a commitment to work with SUNY Poly,” and commented “I don’t think that would be an issue” when asked whether the transaction may have a negative impact. He commented, “from everything I’ve seen and heard...it’s full speed ahead.”

Roswell added, “regarding SUNY Polytechnic Institute, IBM will continue to meet all of its obligations” to the state, “directly or in partnership with GlobalFoundries.”

The announcement by IBM and GlobalFoundries said “IBM continues its previously announced $3 billion investment over five years for semiconductor technology research to lead in the next generation of computing.” It said GlobalFoundries “will have primary access to the research that results from this investment through joint collaboration at the Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE), SUNY Polytechnic Institute, in Albany.” SUNY Poly has campuses in Marcy as well as Albany.

As part of the agreement, GlobalFoundries “will gain substantial intellectual property including thousands of patents,” the announcement said, making it “the holder of one of the largest semiconductor patent portfolios in the world.” Once the transaction is completed, GlobalFoundries “will be the largest semiconductor technology manufacturing employer in the Northeast,” the announcement added.

At SUNY Poly’s Marcy campus, the Quad-C building is on target to be largely completed by the end of this year, said DiMeo.

The $125 million project, to comprise about 253,000 square feet, will host public-private partnerships through the Nano Utica initiative.

The facility is projected to create about 1,500 high-tech jobs. It is in conjunction with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s announcement last October that six leading global technology companies would invest $1.5 billion for the Nano Utica venture including research and development.

In addition to that project, a separate site is being developed on vacant land at the west end of SUNY Poly’s Marcy campus in efforts to attract as many as three semiconductor manufacturing plants. A contract for further various site improvements there is expected to be awarded in December, said DiMeo. Regarding prospects for bringing a semiconductor plant to the site, he cited “a lot of activity and interest in New York state....We’re well in the mix.”

Rome Sentinel: $1.5B IBM deal seen as positive for Quad-C project

Published Oct 23, 2014 at 4:00pm