Photo: Getty Images
Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon delivered his 2025 State of the County address at Onondaga Central High School on Thursday (March 20), outlining a series of ambitious initiatives aimed at boosting local development and infrastructure. McMahon emphasized the importance of expanding the county's economic base by investing in new hotels, lakeside apartments, and the development of Syracuse's North Side neighborhood.
During his speech, McMahon announced plans to request additional funding from the County Legislature for a housing subsidy program to support new residential developments. He also highlighted the need for more hotels, citing the closure of the Crowne Plaza and Syracuse University's conversion of the Sheraton Hotel into a dormitory. The county's hotel initiative aims to open 860 new hotel rooms to address this shortfall, according to CNY Central.
A significant portion of McMahon's address focused on the ongoing Micron Technology project in Clay, which involves a $100 billion investment in semiconductor manufacturing facilities. McMahon called for an additional $27 million to purchase land for supply chain companies and to develop the Central New York Semiconductor Cluster. This initiative aims to provide the necessary technological, educational, and housing infrastructure to support the semiconductor industry, as reported by Spectrum Local News.
McMahon also mentioned the draft environmental impact statement submitted by Micron, which is a crucial step toward the project's November groundbreaking. He emphasized the importance of preparing the community for the opportunities presented by the Micron investment and noted the progress in educational initiatives, such as the STEAM school and a clean room simulation lab at Onondaga County Community College.
In addition to these developments, McMahon highlighted a $100 million investment in a state-of-the-art aquarium and efforts to improve and expand the local housing stock. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to enhance the region's economic prospects and quality of life, as noted by Syracuse.com.