CEG Program Helps Small Businesses Tap into Growing Semiconductor Industry
Highlights:
- In two months, CEG’s Semiconductor Growth Access Program (SGAP) has:
- Engaged seven local businesses that will receive technical assistance to pivot into the semiconductor supply chain.
- Contracted with nine technical assistance providers.
- CEG’s SGAP goal is to engage 30 small, very small, and underserved businesses in New York’s chip economy.
(September 23, 2026) – The Capital Region’s semiconductor supply chain is expanding through the efforts of a Center for Economic Growth (CEG) initiative that is helping local small businesses tap into New York’s chip ecosystem.
Two months after the soft launch for its Semiconductor Growth Access Program (SGAP) in mid-July, CEG has already engaged seven local firms that will receive technical services designed to help them become suppliers in New York’s expanding semiconductor industry. CEG has also contracted nine technical assistance service providers for SGAP across legal, accounting and financial advisory functions.
Current SGAP-engaged companies in the Capital Region come from a variety of industries, including:
- Semiconductor device and related manufacturing
- Metrology equipment manufacturing
- Machining/ metal work manufacturing
- Property management and consulting
- Metal coating, engraving and allied services
SGAP is designed to help small, very small, and underserved businesses build the capacity to participate in emerging supply chain opportunities. Through customized, no-cost technical assistance, eligible companies can strengthen their business strategy, financial readiness, and supplier compliance guidance needed to compete for new customers and contracts.
In 2024, the U.S. Department of Treasury awarded $9 million to Empire State Development (ESD) for several SGAP initiatives across upstate New York. ESD selected CEG to administer SGAP in the Capital Region, Mohawk Valley EDGE in the Mohawk Valley, and the NY SMART-I Corridor Tech Hub in the region spanning from Syracuse to Buffalo.
Eligible businesses for SGAP may include construction firms, HVAC contractors, electricians, landscapers, janitorial service providers, logistics and transportation companies, machine and equipment suppliers, food service providers, manufacturers, and professional service firms such as accounting, legal, engineering, architecture, and business consulting practices interested in serving semiconductor-related clients.
“Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, semiconductor manufacturers have announced more than $124 billion in investments across New York, creating tens of thousands of good-paying, accessible jobs and transformative contracting opportunities for local businesses and entrepreneurs. The launch of the Capital Region’s Semiconductor Growth Access Program opens a new pathway for more New Yorkers to benefit from the state’s thriving chip industry ecosystem,” said Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight.
“New York’s semiconductor supply chain is ripe with opportunities for small businesses, and you don’t need a lithography machine to tap into it. SGAP is designed to help regional companies navigate that journey, from assessing where they fit in the supply chain to understanding the requirements of the semiconductor ecosystem to building the capabilities and relationships needed to compete for new business,” said Mark Eagan, president and CEO of the Capital Region Chamber and CEG.
“HQ Powder Coating values its participation in the SGAP initiative. The program has offered practical guidance and useful insights that support our ongoing efforts to improve efficiency and strengthen our role in the regional supply chain. We appreciate the opportunity to be involved and look forward to continued progress as SGAP moves into its launch phase,” said Joseph Mead, the owner of HQ Powder Coating in Whitehall.
“As a high-tech company operating out of the Albany Nanotech Complex, protecting our intellectual property and navigating complex commercial agreements are essential to scaling our fine pitch testing solutions. The Semiconductor Growth Access Program provides the precise legal and financial framework we need to engage with confidence with Tier-1 chipmakers. CEG’s team has been remarkably responsive and deeply understands the unique hurdles small businesses face in the microelectronics ecosystem. SGAP is a game-changer for growing companies looking to plug directly into New York’s expanding semiconductor supply chain,” said Kwame Amponsah, founder and CEO of Xallent in Albany.
For more information or to apply for technical assistance services, visit SGAP’s web page.
About CEG
The Center for Economic Growth (CEG) accelerates economic opportunity in Albany/NY’s Capital Region by developing and implementing strategies to attract, expand and create businesses and jobs. As the regional economic development organization, affiliated with the Capital Region Chamber, CEG is a catalyst that works with partners and stakeholders to shape a vibrant, thriving future.
CEG houses the region’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center, Manufacturing Solutions, which provides strategic guidance to small-to-middle sized companies in manufacturing and technology sectors. www.ceg.org.
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