Ohio Creating Semiconductor Supply Chain Consortium
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The state is partnering with Intel, JobsOhio and the Ohio Grants Alliance to formalize a semiconductor supply chain consortium in Ohio’s Silicon Heartland.
According to a news release from Gov. Mike DeWine’s office, the creation of the Silicon Heartland Supplier Consortium will better position Ohio to become one of two new semiconductor clusters in the United States and help current and prospective Ohio suppliers compete for new federal grant funding for semiconductor materials and manufacturing equipment.
“Ohio is committed to ensuring the success of the Silicon Heartland,” DeWine said. “Bringing together industry partners to onshore this critical industry is key to strengthening our national security, spurring future innovation and making our economy more resilient.”
Since the announcement of Intel’s two new microchip fabrication facilities in Licking County, the state has worked to create a thriving ecosystem for its growing chip industry.
In February, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced plans to fund two semiconductor clusters through the CHIPS and Science Act that will include “a robust supplier ecosystem, R&D facilities to continuously innovate new process technologies, and specialized infrastructure.”
“When we were working to attract Intel to establish its semiconductor fab facility in Ohio, we knew that most of the jobs would be created from the supply chain that followed,” Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said. “The establishment of this semiconductor consortium can play an important role in establishing Ohio as the Silicon Heartland.”
Intel has agreed to serve as the anchor institution in the consortium to support existing suppliers and attract other key suppliers to Ohio.
“As Intel moves forward with our multibillion investment in Ohio, we are excited to anchor the new Silicon Heartland consortium,” said Jim Evers, Intel vice president and Ohio site manager. “We look forward to supporting the efforts of semiconductor suppliers looking to expand operations and join us in the Silicon Heartland. This consortium will accelerate the formation of the Ohio semiconductor cluster and will help ensure the long-term growth and success of the semiconductor industry in the Buckeye State.”
The creation of the Silicon Heartland Supplier Consortium will also support the opportunity for Ohio suppliers to receive CHIPS and Science Act funding for business expansion and advanced operations, the release states.
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s CHIPS for America program will begin accepting supplier concept plans for projects under $300 million in December and will prioritize proposals that are part of a consortium that promotes a semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem.
“JobsOhio and Ohio are committed to a successful and thriving Silicon Heartland. From government leaders to our business community and our leading academic institutions, we have all united around the semiconductor industry,” said J.P. Nauseef, JobsOhio president and CEO. “By formalizing this consortium, we build on the already strong ecosystem that includes the Midwest Microelectronics Consortium, which was recently selected as a hub within the highly sought-after Microelectronics Commons Program through the Department of Defense and CHIPS Act.”
Pictured at top: Image via Intel.com.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
