SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Funding for a “New 15th Ward” public-housing project, projects at Onondaga Community College (OCC), and workforce-development initiatives are part of the 2024 New York State–budget proposal.

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Feb. 6 provided details of key proposals for Central New York during an appearance at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown hotel at 100 E. Onondaga St.

In line with the governor’s 2023 State of the State address, the budget includes significant funding to “increase housing supply and expand economic opportunity and innovation in the region,” Hochul’s office said in a news release about the Central New York projects.

The proposal includes $36 million for Onondaga Community College, $11 million for local workforce and economic-development initiatives, $10 million for the New 15th Ward public-housing project, and $26 million for the State Fair and local parks. 

Hochul also announced $45 million for GO SEMI: Governor’s Office of Semiconductor Expansion, Management and Integration. 

GO SEMI will provide administrative and operational support for Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU) during its $100 billion investment for a new semiconductor campus in the town of Clay and lead a broader effort to develop New York’s semiconductor industry.

“With new, deeper commitments to housing, education, and economic development, our budget will build on Micron’s investment to create opportunity for even more New Yorkers, and I look forward to working with local leaders to make this vision for Central New York a reality,” Hochul said.

For Central New York, the projects include the following:

• $10 million for the New 15th Ward public housing project in Syracuse, which will support construction of the first three phases of the multi-year-12 phase project. 

• $5 million to help the Syracuse Economic Development Corporation create a revolving-loan fund to help small- to mid-size city businesses fill critical gaps in the need for qualified contractors for housing construction and rehabilitation as well as for lead-hazard reduction in homes. 

• $5 million for the Flexible Finance Program to support economic development in the City of Syracuse. 

• $1 million to expand the successful Syracuse Build Pathways to Apprenticeship program to support building trades apprenticeships in Syracuse and expand Vehicles to Work program. 

• $1 million to create the Syracuse Surge High-Tech Careers Bridge Program, which will help connect Syracuse residents with semiconductor careers, eSOL programs and skills training for advanced manufacturing careers. 

• $36 million for Onondaga Community College, including: 

– $15 million to expand the School of Health. 

– $5 million to support construction of a 5,000 square foot, ISO class 5 and 6 clean room for training students in the semiconductor and microelectronics industries. 

– $3 million for an open warehouse space for use in applied engineering, technical, and workforce education. 

– $2.5 million for an energy retrofit of Coyne Hall. 

– $10.25 million for various improvements across the campus. 

• $14 million to support State Fairgrounds maintenance and needed infrastructure upgrades. 

• $7 million to construct two brand-new comfort stations at campgrounds and make circulations improvements at Selkirk Shores State Park. 

• $5 million for improvements at Green Lakes State Park.