The project site, which is spread around 1,000 acres and located just outside of Columbus, can accommodate up to eight chip factories
Rendering of the new semiconductor fabs of Intel in Ohio. (Credit: Intel Corporation)
Intel has announced an initial investment of over $20bn to construct two new semiconductor fabs in Ohio, US to help increase production to meet the growing demand for advanced semiconductors.
The chip factories, which will be built in Licking County, are slated to break ground in late 2022. Production from the fabs is expected to start towards the end of 2025.
According to Intel, the chip factories will power a new generation of its innovative products and meet the requirements of foundry customers as part of its IDM 2.0 vision announced in March 2021.
The company has committed an additional $100m to support the development of the new site in Ohio. The amount will be spent on partnering educational institutions to create a pipeline of talent and strengthen research programmes in the region.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said: “Intel’s new facilities will be transformative for our state, creating thousands of good-paying jobs in Ohio manufacturing strategically vital semiconductors, often called ‘chips.’
“Advanced manufacturing, research and development, and talent are part of Ohio’s DNA, and we are proud that chips – which power the future – will be made in Ohio, by Ohioans.”
The planned fabs in Ohio are expected to produce chips by employing the most advanced transistor technologies in the industry.
Intel said that the project site, which spans around 1,000 acres and is located just outside of Columbus, can accommodate up to eight chip factories.
Over the next decade, the total investment in the Licking County site could increase to as much as $100bn, said the company.
The initial stage of the project is anticipated to generate 3,000 jobs in the company and 7,000 construction roles throughout the construction.
Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger said: “Intel’s actions will help build a more resilient supply chain and ensure reliable access to advanced semiconductors for years to come. Intel is bringing leading capability and capacity back to the United States to strengthen the global semiconductor industry.
“These factories will create a new epicentre for advanced chipmaking in the U.S. that will bolster Intel’s domestic lab-to-fab pipeline and strengthen Ohio’s leadership in research and high tech.”
In September 2021, Intel broke ground on two semiconductor factories in Arizona, which will see an investment of around $20bn.