Intel Breaks Ground on $20B Ohio Chip Project

Rendering of Intel’s manufacturing plants in Ohio. Image courtesy of Intel Corp.

Intel has broken ground on the first two semiconductor manufacturing plants on a nearly 1,000-acre site in Licking County, Ohio.

The corporation announced the $20 billion project in January and has since tapped Gilbane Building Co. to handle construction work for the two chip factories. Production is expected to begin as soon as 2025.

The two plants will help boost Intel’s production of semiconductors, which have been seeing rapidly increasing demand. The two factories represent the first phase of Intel’s plans for a manufacturing campus in Ohio’s New Albany International Business Park.

According to Intel, this is the largest single private-sector investment in Ohio’s history. The tech giant’s initial $20 billion pledge is expected to create 7,000 construction jobs and 3,000 long-term jobs in manufacturing and engineering. At full buildout, the total investment could reach as much as $100 billion over the next decade, as the Silicon Heartland site can accommodate up to eight semiconductor plants.

Intel also launched the first phase of funding for its Ohio Semiconductor Education and Research Program—$17.7 million for eight proposals from leading institutions and collaborators in the state to develop semiconductor-focused education and workforce programs. In total, the company is committing $100 million for partnerships with educational institutions to build a talent pipeline and strengthen research efforts in the region.

Silicon Heartland development activity takes off

Intel’s major plans to develop semiconductor manufacturing plants have attracted plenty of attention to the area, now known as Silicon Heartland. Companies such as Air Products, Applied Materials, Lam Research and Ultra Clean Technology announced plans to move near the Intel site.

The tech corporation’s projects have also attracted more developments to the New Albany market. In July, VanTrust broke ground on an industrial project within New Albany International Business Park, next to Intel’s semiconductor manufacturing campus. Months prior, a joint venture between Lincoln Property Co. and Harrison Street announced plans for a 190-acre data center and industrial campus that’s also adjacent to Intel’s campus.