BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WBNG) — Sen. Chuck Schumer cut the ribbon Thursday on a new cleanroom facility at Binghamton University designed to support research and hands-on training in advanced microelectronics packaging.
The facility, located in the Watson College of Engineering, received funding from Schumer and is expected to train more than 100 students each year. University officials said it will support cross-disciplinary research and teaching in the semiconductor industry.
Binghamton University President Dr. Anne D’Alleva said Schumer’s support has had a lasting effect on the institution.
“His funding for the Watson College Clean Room has had a profound and lasting impact on both education and research at Binghamton,” D’Alleva said. “Thanks to the funding provided by Senator Schumer, the Clean Room is now able to support cross-disciplinary research and teaching.”
Schumer said the cleanroom is part of a broader effort to keep talent in the Southern Tier as major chipmaking projects, including Micron’s development near Syracuse, continue to expand across New York.
“Parents driving their kids to the airport and forlornly waving goodbye because there were no jobs here, and my mission was to reverse that,” Schumer said. “And we have. And now they’re coming back.”
Schumer also used the visit to announce his proposed Make More in America Act, which would expand financing through the Export-Import Bank to help build or grow U.S. manufacturing facilities in industries including microelectronics and batteries.
“It will provide new investment from the Export-Import Bank to build new manufacturing facilities,” Schumer said. “Bring manufacturing back to America in critical industries like microelectronics, like batteries.”
Schumer said he believes the legislation can gain bipartisan support, but it must still pass Congress. University officials said the new cleanroom strengthens the connection between research, education, and industry, preparing students for careers in New York’s expanding semiconductor sector.
Copyright 2026 WBNG. All rights reserved.