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JMA Wireless was awarded a $44 million federal grant as part of the CHIPS and Science Act, Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer announced in a Thursday afternoon press release.

The funds will be used to increase manufacturing of 5G Open Radio Access Network-compliant radio units in the United States and to upgrade JMA’s 5G facilities in central New York, according to the release.

Schumer said the grant will ensure the U.S. remains a leader in 5G technology and warned of the national security risks of dependence on foreign manufacturers, such as China’s Huawei and ZTE. JMA is the only American-owned manufacturing plant that makes 5G wireless communication equipment used by phone companies like AT&T.

In May 2022, Syracuse University renamed the Dome the JMA Wireless Dome and JMA has since provided 5G service inside it.

The expansion is expected to create 30 new jobs in the Syracuse area, according to the release.

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said JMA’s development will advance Syracuse Surge, a city program designed to provide technological training for the local workforce.

JMA will use the funding to strengthen domestic capabilities and to develop its campus in Syracuse. The new campus will expedite production of 5G ORAN technology. The grant will also allow JMA to invest $75 million to open a new production plant, further expand its Syracuse facilities, and build its ORAN testing laboratories.

The announcement marks the second round of federal funding contributed to central New York’s tech industry this week. On Tuesday, Micron Technology received $4.5 billion from the CHIPS Act to build a new plant in Syracuse.

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Published on December 12, 2024 at 10:39 pm

Contact Chloe: cfrinka@syr.edu