CLAY, N.Y. — On Tuesday night, President Donald Trump called on Congress to repeal the CHIPS Act, which brings Micron to Central New York. As lawmakers continue to assert that Micron Technology will establish a presence in Central New York, construction workers remain in limbo, waiting to break ground on the next-generation fabrication center. Despite the uncertainty, local union representatives remain optimistic.

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Greg Lancette, President of the Central & Northern New York Building and Construction Trades Council, emphasized the importance of maintaining focus.

“We have dealt with a lot of administrations over the years, and really, our mission is to try and keep the team focused so we don’t take the pedal off the gas,” Lancette said.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed confusion over former President Donald Trump’s stance on cutting initiatives that would bring jobs to upstate New York.

“They say they want to bring chip manufacturing back to the United States, they say they want good paying jobs in places they don’t have them,” Schumer said. “We’re so proud of the chip fabs that are going up across upstate New York and Syracuse, and Albany and in between Buffalo and Rochester. Why would he do that?”

Lancette acknowledged that uncertainty is a common aspect of the construction industry.

“In the construction industry, there’s times where there are projects that come to life that we didn’t see, they spring up and come to life fast, there are projects that are midstream that have to stop for one reason or another, so in our industry, this is another day at the office,” he said.

While there is little visible progress at the White Pine site, Lancette assured that the project is advancing more rapidly than most.

“Traditionally, it is a four to five year approval process, there’s so many people working very hard to get this done,” he said. “If we start in the fall of 2025, which Micron has communicated, that means they got the approval in a two-year window.”

Despite continuing skepticism from some neighbors, those involved in the project remain hopeful that Micron’s plans will come to fruition.