DeWITT, N.Y. — TTM Technologies, Inc., a California–based firm with operations in DeWitt, has chosen the Syracuse suburb for an upcoming high-tech manufacturing facility that will create an estimated 400 jobs.

TTM Technologies, a global manufacturer of technology products, intends to invest up to $130 million to build the new plant, Gov. Kathy Hochul and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.) announced on Nov. 1. 

TTM Technologies is a manufacturer of technology products including mission systems, radio frequency (RF) components/RF microwave/microelectronic assemblies, quick-turn and technologically advanced PCBs, or printed circuit boards. 

TTM stands for time-to-market, “representing how TTM’s time-critical, one-stop manufacturing services enable customers to shorten the time required to develop new products and bring them to market,” per the announcement.

TTM’s upcoming new facility will produce ultra-high density interconnect PCBs, which are described as TTM’s most advanced PCBs that will primarily be used for U.S. military applications and will also be “crucial to the U.S. semiconductor industry,” per the announcement. 

The new plant will be co-located on 24 acres adjacent to TTM’s existing production facility at 6635 Kirkville Road in DeWitt. TTM Technologies is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California and acquired Anaren Inc. of DeWitt in 2018.

TTM’s new plant will be “one of the first in the nation” to specialize in manufacturing PCBs and advanced packaging. TTM will also invest in research and development that will further integrated-circuit substrate and HDI PCB technologies across the U.S. 

To support the construction of TTM’s proposed facility, Empire State Development (ESD) will provide up to $17 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs tax credits in exchange for the creation of 400 new jobs and the retention of more than 600 existing jobs in DeWitt. 

As with all Excelsior Jobs projects, TTM will receive the credits after demonstrating that it has met its job and investment commitments, per the announcement. Additionally, ESD has awarded TTM a $5 million capital grant from the Upstate Revitalization Initiative for reimbursement for machinery and equipment. 

TTM expects the planned facility to bring “disruptive capability” for the ultra-HDI PCBs. It is expected to be one of the largest PCB manufacturing sites in North America. It will have an “advanced, highly optimized” process to allow for shorter lead times, faster delivery, and a significant increase in domestic capacity for ultra-HDI PCBs, which are smaller and lighter than other PCBs and offer more reliable signals at higher speeds. 

In addition, this facility will be TTM’s “most sustainable” site in North America, the company says. The circuit boards are a key component of the microelectronics industry, supporting the growth of the domestic semiconductor industry that is being boosted by the CHIPS & Science Act.

“We expect the investment and standup of this capability to be another step toward creating a secure, trusted, and resilient national microelectronic supply chain,” Catherine Gridley, executive VP of TTM Technologies and president of the aerospace & defense sector, said in a release. “Selecting Central New York for this proposed high-tech site further demonstrates TTM’s support for New York State and the NY SMART I-Corridor, and continues to solidify TTM and Central New York’s place as a leader in microelectronics.”

“CenterState CEO worked for nearly two years with TTM’s executives and consultants to make a strong case for their project to be located in Central New York, Robert Simpson, president and CEO of CenterState CEO, said in a separate Nov. 1 statement. “We partnered closely with Empire State Development, Senator Schumer’s office and Onondaga County on the successful attraction effort.”

In another statement reacting to the announcement, U.S. Representative Brandon Williams (R–Sennett) said TTM began with an assessment of the entire contiguous U.S., looking at all counties and narrowing its assessment down to 27 markets in 16 states, and ultimately deciding the “new Silicon Empire in Central New York was the right choice for them.”

“Central New York is the new Silicon Empire — companies continue to make strategic and long-term investments in our region,” Williams contended. “TTM Technologies has been an incredible partner in ensuring that we have domestic production for our US Aerospace and Defense industrial base, promoting national security and good-paying local jobs.”