CORNING N.Y. (WENY) -- Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was at Corning Incorporated Friday afternoon to share how future investments in manufacturing could help companies across the Southern Tier.   

The new CHIPS and Science Act, signed into law by President Biden on August 10th, will invest billions into innovative companies that focus on manufacturing. Senator Schumer explains how companies like Corning Inc will benefit, along with New York State.   

“Not only it’ll create new jobs, it helped supply these vaccines where there's a desperate shortage,” Sen. Schumer said. “Only a company like Corning, which has the top knowledge about this but is also an efficient and effective company could get this stuff out.”   

From cars to refrigerators, semiconductors are vital in operating everyday technology. Corning Inc. specializes in manufacturing glass and other materials used in semiconductors. Schumer says this will help keep the company at the forefront of innovation in America.   

“It's a huge opportunity for Corning,” Schumer said, “Some of the most advanced things that are done to help make the chips, which is a very complicated process, use optics, use glass, and Corning is the world's leading supplier in many of these materials.”   

Schumer also explained how investments will create new jobs and opportunities for company employees. Corning's Chairman and CEO Wendell Weeks says the company is vital in the manufacturing of semiconductors, and this investment will help them continue to grow.   

“We announced a $139 million investment,” Weeks said. “Enabled by the strong partnership between industry and government to expand our manufacturing facility and create 270 new jobs in New York State.”   

Corning Incorporated announced in July that it would expand its manufacturing plant in Fairport, Monroe County, as well as establish a "Development and Engineering Center of Excellence" in neighboring Gates. The company has said it hopes to become the biggest semiconductor producer in the nation.

In addition, Schumer says the bill also calls for increased investment in STEM education and training programs that will train the next generation of Corning's workforce in the Southern Tier.