Syracuse, N.Y. – The scale of Micron Technology’s planned chipmaking complex in Clay is so large that even the early stages are drawing hundreds of eager contractors from across the region and beyond. Last week, about 400 contractors crowded into the ballroom of the Marriott Syracuse Downtown hotel, each hoping to secure a piece of the work connected to the project’s first phase.

Unlike the high-profile press conferences and political announcements that have defined the Micron rollout so far, this gathering was different. It was filled with owners of firms employing heavy-equipment operators, truck drivers, and tradespeople—the people who will actually help transform the 1,400-acre site into what could become one of the largest semiconductor fabrication facilities in the United States.

Many of the firms in attendance already have experience with major projects, such as the rebuilding of Interstate 81. Others traveled from as far away as Michigan to make their pitch. For these companies, the Micron project represents a generational opportunity.

The Clay megafab, expected to unfold over the next 20 years at a potential cost of $100 billion, is being hailed as one of the most transformative economic development initiatives in Central New York’s history. It will not only create thousands of direct jobs at the fabrication site but also generate decades of work for contractors in construction, infrastructure, and support services.

Industry leaders say the early contractor engagement process is critical for a project of this magnitude. By drawing in hundreds of firms at the outset, Micron and its development partners aim to build a strong local and regional supply chain while ensuring that the project benefits both small and large contractors.

The event also underscored the competitive environment surrounding the megaproject. With so many firms vying for contracts, construction leaders stress that relationships, proven track records, and capacity to scale will be key factors in who ultimately wins the bids.

For contractors, however, the stakes are clear: getting in on the ground floor of Micron’s first phase could open the door to years, if not decades, of work as the semiconductor giant builds out its Central New York footprint.

Originally reported by Glenn Coin in Syracuse.