Oregon is aggressively pursuing opportunities to bring home a portion of the $52 billion for semiconductor manufacturing and research made available under the federal CHIPS and Science Act. To that end, Governor Tina Kotek announced a new, $1 million grant program to help small and mid-sized Oregon businesses prepare competitive applications for the once-in-a-generation infusion of federal funds.

The grant program, which will be funded through Business Oregon’s Strategic Reserve Fund, is part of a larger strategy to ensure Oregon firms are allocated as much of the federal funding as possible. The funding will be distributed as grants to private semiconductor firms in Oregon to help with costs associated in preparing an application, including third party costs or professional services. The program will consider how applicants will serve historically underserved groups to create family-wage manufacturing jobs.

The Joint Committee on Semiconductors held its first hearing on Senate Bill 4 after weeks of public testimony on the underlying policies. This bipartisan bill represents the first step on securing the future of Oregon's semiconductor economy.

Senate Bill 4 commits $200 million, which is in Governor Kotek’s budget, for grants and loans to qualifying businesses for the purpose of allowing those businesses to apply to the federal government for additional financial support made available through the CHIPS and Science Act.

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 combination of Oregon's support and the federal CHIPS Act funds would create an opportunity to attract and grow the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing industry in Oregon. The national movement to expand domestic semiconductor production came about when the COVID-19 crisis disrupted shipments from Taiwan, the world’s most advanced chip foundry, and remote work increased demand. The tech wars inspired the Biden administration to distribute $52 billion to strengthen the domestic chipmaking sector. "It is great news for Oregon to be a global leader in advanced manufacturing and semiconductor innovation," Governor Kotek said.

“We are acting with an extraordinary sense of urgency to supercharge Oregon’s semiconductor industry, bring new jobs and money to our state, and build a better future for every Oregonian,” said co-chair Senator Janeen Sollman (D-Hillsboro). “We look forward to continuing the conversation about this first step and the work we will do later in session to maintain Oregon’s position as a global leader in semiconductors and advanced manufacturing.”

"This bill is an important first step in ensuring Oregon's semiconductor industry can capitalize on the opportunity to receive CHIPS Act funding. Our next step needs to be bold and needs to provide more support for our job creators. Not only do these manufacturing jobs provide high wages, but we also know that it is critical for national security," said co-vice chair Senator Tim Knopp (R-Bend). “Yesterday’s revenue forecast has provided us with sufficient assurance that we have the dollars to invest in semiconductor and advance manufacturing without touching rainy day funds.”


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-02-27 15:29:03

Last Update: 2023-02-27 15:45:20