TOWN OF DEKALB, New York (WWNY) – On Friday, the Corning Plant just outside of Canton received $32 million from the Biden-Harris Administration.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity for the local facility, for the county, and for the company itself,” said Patrick Kelly, St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency CEO.

The award is a part of the administration’s CHIPS and Science Act that President Biden signed two years ago to improve semiconductor manufacturing in the country.

Semiconductors run most of our modern technology like cell phones, computers, and our cars.

The money is expected to create up to 130 jobs at the company, specifically geared towards technology.

Kelly believes that recent graduates will be the most interested in the opportunity.

“It has almost a halo effect on your local employment. They work with our colleges and universities, they work with our BOCES system and our school districts,” said Kelly.

While Kelly believes the new job opportunities will bring in college students, he also sees this as an opportunity for people to come to the North Country.

“When you have a company like Corning, it’s a destination employer. Having growth at those kind of employers, it helps people in the area who want to stay here and it helps bring people here,” said Kelly.

The $32 million will help Corning increase the production of components that help manufacture semiconductors.

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