Micron Technology is coming to Central New York and is scheduled to receive upwards of $20 billion in public subsidies and tax credits from federal, state, and local governments. Micron’s arrival has been touted as an economic boon for upstate New York with the promise of thousands of good jobs, community investments, and environmentally sustainable growth. However, Micron has made few firm commitments on what will make these “good jobs,” how community investments will positively impact those historically left out of economic opportunities, or how Micron will achieve its sustainability commitments and protect public health and safety.
A new report from Jobs to Move America detailing the results of its poll of Onondaga County voters’ which surveyed their opinions on Micron Technology’s arrival. The results show a clear message from voters: Micron can be a major economic opportunity for Central New York, but only if public officials and the company ensure that local communities share in the benefits and are protected from the risks.
The survey conducted by Data for Progress and commissioned by Jobs to Move America and the Urban Jobs Task Force of Syracuse, polled 624 registered voters in Onondaga County about the Micron project. As local resident and board member of The Urban Jobs Taskforce of Syracuse Inc. Bonita Siegel put it, “I’m really concerned about the fact that Micron is a trillion-dollar organization. And while we are a very well-educated, impressive community, we’re really small potatoes. So why are they going to care or pay any attention to us? Well, I think they should care because who is it that’s going to work in these plants? Who is it that’s going to help them bring in those big bucks? And if they don’t treat those people well, what’s the ultimate end result of that? So being a good neighbor is really what you do to benefit not only your community, but yourself as well.”
Key Findings from the Report:
- Why We Need a Community Benefits Agreement – New Yorkers deserve to know how their public funds are being spent, and workers and surrounding communities deserve real commitments to good jobs and a safe environment. Because Micron’s current promises are largely nonbinding public assurances, a community benefits agreement containing enforceable commitments from Micron can offer the community a seat at the decision- making table. 87% of voters support legally binding requirements for Micron to make investments in job creation, environmental protection, and public infrastructure. Support for legally binding requirements cuts across party lines, with 89% of Democrats, 86% of independents, and 84% of Republicans backing the proposal.
- Environmental Protections: Reducing Air And Water Pollution And Protect Public Health – Community members are concerned about the various environmental, health, and safety hazards to CNY posed by Micron’s chipmaking complex. When asked to name top priorities for Micron to meet, Onondaga voters most frequently selected environmental protections to reduce air and water pollution and protect public health (59%).
- Job Quality and Access: High Wages, Benefits, And Job Quality Standards – 79% of Onondaga voters agree that permanent operations workers at Micron should have the option to join a labor union if they choose. Across party lines, respondents also agree that Micron should prioritize hiring local workers given the amount of public funding it receives. Among respondents who listed local hiring as a top priority, 77% were Democrats, 67% were independent and third party, and 54% were Republicans.
- Socioeconomic Impacts: Housing To Prevent Shortages, Displacement, And Rising Housing Costs – Survey respondents ranked investing in housing to prevent shortages, displacement, and rising housing costs as their top third priority for Micron to meet. 80% of survey respondents expressed high levels of concern that Micron will increase housing prices, making it harder to rent or purchase a home.
