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Progress is accelerating at the Micron Technology project site in Clay, as workers rush to clear nearly 300 acres of trees before an important environmental deadline.
In just a few weeks, Micron has cut down almost 300 acres of trees at the White Pine Commerce Park, with a total of 330 acres needing to be cleared by March 31. The deadline is critical because no trees can be cut down between April 1 and October 31 when two species of endangered bats—Indiana and Northern Long-Eared bats—roost in the area during warmer months.
The tree clearing is the first phase of site preparation for what officials call the largest private development in New York state history. Micron broke ground on January 7 for its massive semiconductor manufacturing complex that could transform Central New York's economy.
Victoria Campbell, founder of Wild Things Sanctuary, one of the only bat sanctuaries in New York, expressed concern about the habitat loss. "Bats will return to the exact same place, often year after year," Campbell explained. "They can often live for decades, so you know, they really have a very close affiliation to the spot they call home."
To address environmental concerns, Micron has committed to protecting the endangered bats. According to their Environmental Impact Statement, the company will sponsor research and monitoring projects related to bats in New York and establish a fund from which grants will be awarded for projects benefiting these species. Up to $100,000 will be available each year over a 10-year period, with unused funds carrying over until a total of $1 million has been awarded.
The Clay project represents a significant investment for Micron, with the first phase alone expected to cost approximately $1 billion. The company has hired Gilbane Co., one of the country's largest construction firms, to prepare the site.
Once trees are cleared, Micron will need to haul in about 2 million yards of gravel-like fill to level and stabilize the site, which contains about 200 acres of wetlands. This will be done mostly by truck, with more than 500 trucks going in and out of the site daily on two-lane roads.
The overall project timeline has been delayed, with the first fabrication plant now projected to open in 2030, about two to three years later than initially planned. When fully operational in 2045, Micron says the complex would employ 9,000 people and potentially create up to 40,000 spinoff jobs in the region.
The groundbreaking ceremony on January 7 was attended by politicians from across the political spectrum, including U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick from the Trump administration and Democratic Senator Charles Schumer, who championed the 2022 CHIPS Act that could provide more than $20 billion in taxpayer subsidies for the project.