Oregon is poised to be a leader in US semiconductor research, design, and production, and to reap historic benefits from the Biden-Harris-led CHIPS & Science Act, a $280 billion investment designed to advance U.S. global leadership in technology and supply chains.

The Oregon legislature is taking advantage by forming a special Joint Semiconductor Committee lead by co-chairs Senator Janeen Sollman (D-Hillsboro) and Representative Janelle Bynum (D-Clackamas County), along with Vice Chairs Senator Tim Knopp (R-Bend) and Representative Kim Wallan (R-Medford).

The Oregon Semiconductor Competitiveness Task Force reports that Oregon is third at 15 percent of the nation’s employment and first in workforce location quotients in the semiconductor industry. Senator Ron Wyden attributes success for the industry is in federal tax incentives. The credits the state has given to Intel has, in turn, helped Intel support more than 50 percent of small businesses in Oregon as their suppliers.

The task force presented a vision of securing Oregon’s position as a global capital of semiconductor Industry and provide opportunities to create more family wage jobs above the median wage and a stronger, more deliberately equitable statewide economy through the advanced manufacturing sector. New industry investments could broadly impact Oregonians across the state—expanding high-wage, equitable employment opportunities in all regions and creating significant new tax revenues for critical priorities like homelessness, affordable housing, and education.

“Semiconductors represent nearly half of Oregon’s exports by value,” said Senator Sollman. “While more than 37,000 Oregonians work directly in computer & electronics manufacturing, millions more benefit from the industry’s economic ripple effects and significant tax revenues.”

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

The Committee is preparing to advance legislation, but is faced with two challenges:

• It is more expensive to build facilities in Oregon.
• Other states have updated their incentive tools to better match industry needs, including upfront cash and R&D tax credits.

“Oregon has a generational opportunity to advance shared prosperity and opportunities for workers of all backgrounds,” said Representative Bynum. “Semiconductor jobs pay more than any other manufacturing sector, and nearly half of these jobs require an associate degree or less. By investing in industry growth and development of a diverse, talented workforce, we will change lives for the better.”

The joint committee meetings are scheduled for Monday and Wednesday at 5pm in room HR F in the state capitol.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-01-21 11:15:39

Last Update: 2023-01-21 13:39:28