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GlobalFoundries: That's great... for now
Earlier this afternoon, I had the distinct pleasure of being the only man not wearing a dark-colored suit at a press conference in Malta. In fact, I was wearing (and still am) a maroon polo shirt and slacks.
The conference, as readers doubtless know by now, was held to announce that the microprocessor builder GlobalFoundries had purchased 223 acres from the Luther Forest Tech Park, and is thus ready to begin construction.
Everyone in the room was very pleased to talk about how many jobs this developmen will create, how wonderful it would be for the development of business in our region, and how lucky we are.
And we are lucky, to be sure, to have this kind of investment in our community.
BUT, I hope that everyone will keep one eye to the future as GlobalFoundries begins to break ground.
What will happen in 10-15 years, when the now-cutting edge technology at Luther Forest is outmoded, and it is cheaper for GlobalFoundries to build a new facility elsewhere than it is for them to retool the Malta factory? Even if that doesn't come to pass, there will be some future technology that will make the microprocessors GloFo is preparing to make look about as high-tech as grandma's typewriter. Anyone who thinks we've reached the end of the road with semiconductors should give me a call so that I can sell you a bridge to England.
Just as demand for the paper produced up in Glens Falls has declined, leading to a decline in the work being done in that mill town, the same thing could happen in Malta. Therefore, planners -- economic and otherwise -- would be wise to not stake too much of the region's future on GlobalFoundries.
Flint, Michigan, knows a thing or two about becoming inextricably intertwined with industry. So does the Rust Belt.
Let's not let that happen here. To avoid such a fate, just as Mike Relyea and his staff at the Luther Forest Tech Park are looking for an additional two tenants for the campus, they would be wise to consider what's next, because history guarantees us that the good work done at GlobalFoundries will not last forever.
The conference, as readers doubtless know by now, was held to announce that the microprocessor builder GlobalFoundries had purchased 223 acres from the Luther Forest Tech Park, and is thus ready to begin construction.
Everyone in the room was very pleased to talk about how many jobs this developmen will create, how wonderful it would be for the development of business in our region, and how lucky we are.
And we are lucky, to be sure, to have this kind of investment in our community.
BUT, I hope that everyone will keep one eye to the future as GlobalFoundries begins to break ground.
What will happen in 10-15 years, when the now-cutting edge technology at Luther Forest is outmoded, and it is cheaper for GlobalFoundries to build a new facility elsewhere than it is for them to retool the Malta factory? Even if that doesn't come to pass, there will be some future technology that will make the microprocessors GloFo is preparing to make look about as high-tech as grandma's typewriter. Anyone who thinks we've reached the end of the road with semiconductors should give me a call so that I can sell you a bridge to England.
Just as demand for the paper produced up in Glens Falls has declined, leading to a decline in the work being done in that mill town, the same thing could happen in Malta. Therefore, planners -- economic and otherwise -- would be wise to not stake too much of the region's future on GlobalFoundries.
Flint, Michigan, knows a thing or two about becoming inextricably intertwined with industry. So does the Rust Belt.
Let's not let that happen here. To avoid such a fate, just as Mike Relyea and his staff at the Luther Forest Tech Park are looking for an additional two tenants for the campus, they would be wise to consider what's next, because history guarantees us that the good work done at GlobalFoundries will not last forever.
posted by The Saratogian City Desk at
9:41 PM
4 Comments:
Right on !! In fifteen years (or sooner) Luther Forest and the Breyo mansion will make a nice retirement center for the Baby Boomers...
Pessimistic point of view ! You see the glass half empty.A lot can happen in 10-15 years and some of it may be good.
10:42 a.m.: Here's hoping!
That's the cycle of life, Andrew. To everything there is a season.
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