A party-line vote by Onondaga County Legislators this week approving $27 million to support the semiconductor supply chain is again highlighting a divide in priorities among lawmakers and the community. The loan from the county’s fund balance will be used to buy land for companies hoping to locate here.
Supporters like Republican legislator Mark Olson said the bold investment is essential to building the infrastructure needed by Micron and other chip fab companies.
“This $27 million commitment is part of a larger private public partnership that has already leveraged billions in federal, state and private dollars. If we do not act, we risk stalling momentum," Olson said.
Fellow Republican David Knapp agreed.
“Our surrounding counties would like nothing more than us to sit on our hands and not be prepared for these other companies coming in so that they can try to attract them to their areas," Knapp said. "This is something that's proactive. It's well thought out.”
However, Manlius resident Elaine Denton sees things differently. She said lawmakers should focus on their constituents.
“There are more important issues to use this money for than being a real estate company for businesses," Denton told lawmakers before the vote. "We have resources to help companies locate here without having to buy their property for them. We need to focus on what our residents want. This need the only way this historic investment in central New York works is if the residents of Onondaga County are taken care of.”
Denton adds the county should use that money for more affordable housing, childcare, and improved transportation to address the most pressing needs of those in poverty. Democratic floor leader Nodesia Hernandez and her caucus agreed and voted no on spending for what she called “hypothetical businesses.”
“We're forgetting the people that we serve and failing to respond to the scale of their problems," Hernandez said "Yes, businesses can bring more employment, more economical growth, but who benefits?”
Supporters say removing barriers for semiconductor supply chain businesses to locate here will ultimately generate more sales tax revenue to support county services.
