Oneida County Official’s Frustration: U.S. Economic Development Administration Excludes Utica-Rome Area from Tech Hub Grants

Recently, Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. presented his 2024 budget and emphasized his commitment to promoting technology jobs in the region. However, he expressed frustration when he discovered that federal funding was not available to support these initiatives. In a statement, Picente criticized the U.S. Economic Development Administration for excluding the Utica-Rome area from receiving Tech Hub grant awards, despite its significant presence in semiconductor and supply chain industries.

Picente highlighted the importance of investing in technology industries to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and enhance national security. The Utica-Rome region has over 2,000 technology jobs and numerous opportunities in quantum computing, cybersecurity, and drone research at the Griffiss Business & Technology Park.

The Biden-Harris Administration recently awarded $504 million in grants to 12 Tech Hubs across the country. Unfortunately, the Utica-Rome area was not among the recipients. One of the recipients was New York’s NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub led by the CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity, which focuses on semiconductor manufacturing and will receive an estimated $40 million.

Despite this setback, Picente remains committed to developing the region’s tech corridor with the support of New York State and other partners. He expressed disappointment but assured the community that efforts to advance technology jobs in Oneida County would continue.

In summary, Picente’s 2024 budget highlights his dedication to promoting technology jobs in Oneida County. However, he expressed frustration that federal funding was not available to support these initiatives. Despite this challenge, Picente remains committed to advancing technology jobs in Oneida County with support from state and other partners.