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Gallery: Micron breaks ground, New York leaders celebrate as lawsuit looms

Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra addresses a crowd as he kicks off the groundbreaking event at White Pine Commerce Park. Mehrotra said Micron is one of the largest private manufacturing investments in American history.

Leonardo Eriman | Senior Staff Photographer

Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra addresses a crowd as he kicks off the groundbreaking event at White Pine Commerce Park. Mehrotra said Micron is one of the largest private manufacturing investments in American history.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks at Micron’s groundbreaking. The governor said Micron’s investment is a “once in a lifetime opportunity” for New York to reverse a nationwide manufacturing decline.

Leonardo Eriman | Senior Staff Photographer

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks at Micron’s groundbreaking. The governor said Micron’s investment is a “once in a lifetime opportunity” for New York to reverse a nationwide manufacturing decline.

U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer mingles with reporters and attendees at Micron’s groundbreaking. Schumer, who often begins remarks with “Go Bills,” sported a Buffalo Bills hat a day before the Bill’s playoff exit against the Denver Broncos.

Leonardo Eriman | Senior Staff Photographer

U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer mingles with reporters and attendees at Micron’s groundbreaking. Schumer, who often begins remarks with “Go Bills,” sported a Buffalo Bills hat a day before the Bill’s playoff exit against the Denver Broncos.

An assembly line of elected officials and leaders ceremoniously mark Micron’s groundbreaking with shovels. State leaders present included Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens, both New York senators and Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Leonardo Eriman | Senior Staff Photographer

An assembly line of elected officials and leaders ceremoniously mark Micron’s groundbreaking with shovels. State leaders present included Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens, both New York senators and Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens smiles at the camera ahead of Micron’s groundbreaking ceremony. Owens, surrounded by many New York state political mainstays, is a relative political newcomer who began her term as Syracuse mayor this month.

Leonardo Eriman | Senior Staff Photographer

Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens smiles at the camera ahead of Micron’s groundbreaking ceremony. Owens, surrounded by many New York state political mainstays, is a relative political newcomer who began her term as Syracuse mayor this month.

Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud chats with attendees before the ceremony. Syverud made it to Micron’s event in upstate New York after beginning his week in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to accept his appointment as the University of Michigan’s next president.

Leonardo Eriman | Senior Staff Photographer

Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud chats with attendees before the ceremony. Syverud made it to Micron’s event in upstate New York after beginning his week in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to accept his appointment as the University of Michigan’s next president.

Speakers at Micron’s groundbreaking event spoke to a room filled with elected officials and leaders from the federal government and New York state. Among attendees and speakers were U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra and local Rep. John Mannion.

Leonardo Eriman | Senior Staff Photographer

Speakers at Micron’s groundbreaking event spoke to a room filled with elected officials and leaders from the federal government and New York state. Among attendees and speakers were U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra and local Rep. John Mannion.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick flanked by Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra ahead of the ceremony. Lutnick declared central New York as “the heart” of President Donald Trump’s territory and took credit for the groundbreaking on behalf of the Trump administration.

Leonardo Eriman | Senior Staff Photographer

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick flanked by Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra ahead of the ceremony. Lutnick declared central New York as “the heart” of President Donald Trump’s territory and took credit for the groundbreaking on behalf of the Trump administration.

Chuck Schumer, the Democratic Senate leader, embraces Republican Ryan McMahon, the current county executive for Onondaga County. Attendees on opposite sides of the political aisle disagreed on which presidential administration deserves the credit for Micron’s groundbreaking.

Leonardo Eriman | Senior Staff Photographer

Chuck Schumer, the Democratic Senate leader, embraces Republican Ryan McMahon, the current county executive for Onondaga County. Attendees on opposite sides of the political aisle disagreed on which presidential administration deserves the credit for Micron’s groundbreaking.

A still image of the spot on which Micron marked its Clay, New York, groundbreaking the same day groups in opposition sued to challenge its environmental approval. The U.S. flag alongside the company’s logo represents what attendees argued is a major win for a fleeting American manufacturing industry.

Leonardo Eriman | Senior Staff Photographer

A still image of the spot on which Micron marked its Clay, New York, groundbreaking the same day groups in opposition sued to challenge its environmental approval. The U.S. flag alongside the company’s logo represents what attendees argued is a major win for a fleeting American manufacturing industry.