Semiconductor Chip Plant in Ohio – Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger announced on Tuesday that the company will invest $20 billion to build two new chipmaking facilities in Ohio, with the potential to expand to eight total fabrication plants and reach a total investment of $100 billion.
This would be the largest investment on record in Ohio and create 3,000 jobs. Gelsinger also stated that global politics will be dominated by the availability, trade and investment in microchips for the next several decades. This announcement comes after Intel announced last year that it would invest $20 billion in new US chipmaking facilities and up to $90 billion in new European factories, in an effort to reassert its position as the leader of the semiconductor industry.
The move is also a response to concerns about the concentration of chip manufacturing in Asia, particularly China and Taiwan, during the Covid-19 pandemic and as geopolitical tensions grew. To address this, a US law, the CHIPS and Science Act, was passed last year to invest more than $200 billion in helping companies grow domestic chip-making and research.
Where the technology supply chains are, and where semiconductors are built, is more important for the next 5 decades.We need this geographically balanced, resilient supply chain,
Gelsinger , Intel CEO
Gelsinger and other chipmakers are now waiting for the funds from this law to be dispersed, with President Joe Biden directing a steering committee to determine how to implement the law and deploy the funds.
The new chipmaking facilities in Ohio will play a significant role in Intel’s strategy to restore its dominance in the semiconductor industry and reduce America’s reliance on Asian manufacturing hubs, which currently have a tight hold on the market. The company’s investment in Ohio is also in line with the US government’s efforts to boost domestic chipmaking and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.
Gelsinger also highlighted the importance of microchips in shaping global politics in the coming decades. He stated that the availability, trade, and investment in microchips will play a crucial role in determining the balance of power between nations, and that companies like Intel have a responsibility to ensure that the US stays at the forefront of this rapidly evolving industry.
The Intel CEO’s announcement is a clear indication of the company’s commitment to investing in advanced technologies and creating jobs in the US, which will also have a positive impact on the country’s economy. It also underlines the growing importance of the microchip industry, and the need for countries to invest in their own chipmaking capabilities in order to stay competitive in a rapidly changing global landscape.