< Previous144 JULY 2025 SITE SELECTION by ADAM BRUNS adam.bruns@siteselection.com W ithin a span of eight days in June, semiconductor giants GlobalFoundries and Micron announced they are doubling down on their commitment to the Empire State at Upstate locations about 140 miles apart. GlobalFoundries (GF) on June 4 announced plans to invest $16 billion to expand semiconductor manufacturing and advanced packaging capabilities across its facilities in Malta, New York, just south of Saratoga Springs, and Essex Junction, Vermont, next to Lake Champlain. Micron on June 12 touted its ongoing megafab investment in Clay, near Syracuse, as part of its plans to expand its U.S. investments to approximately $150 billion in domestic memory manufacturing and $50 billion in R&D, creating an estimated 90,000 direct and indirect jobs. The expanded commitments from the two companies are not the first time they’ve acted in unison. In collaboration with the National Science Foundation, Micron and GF in May 2024 announced a commitment to invest in workforce development at minority-serving higher education institutions, in keeping with the semiconductor talent development objectives of the federal CHIPS and Science Act as well as New York State’s Green Chips legislation. As the two mega-announcements grabbed headlines, another electronics investment announced on the same day as GF’s news brought its own impact to Long Island, where Orbic Electronics Manufacturing, LLC, a specialized global manufacturer of telecommunications and consumer electronics devices, broke ground on a new $110 million manufacturing global hub in Hauppauge, Suffolk County, that will create more than 1,000 new manufacturing jobs, retain 66 existing positions currently based in Suffolk County and bring Orbic’s complete manufacturing and production operations from overseas facilities in India and China to its New York-based headquarters. Touting her state’s advanced manufacturing attractiveness, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said, “From Long Island to the North Country, we’re seeing companies recognize that our state offers the perfect combination of skilled workers, world-class infrastructure and strategic support that makes success inevitable.” That strategic Upstate New York investments by GlobalFoundries and Micron will reinforce the national semiconductor manufacturing supply chain. Image courtesy of GF 144 JULY 2025 SITE SELECTION UPSTATE NEW YORK Commitments By Chip Giants Underscore Reshoring Promises by Others146 JULY 2025 SITE SELECTION support includes up to $10 million in performance- based Excelsior Jobs Tax Credits recommended by the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council. Strategic Response It’s in the North Country, however, where hundreds of millions have multiplied to tens of billions, part of a surge in semiconductor investment that’s already reflected in the data: The Semiconductor Industry Association on June 5 announced global semiconductor sales were $57 billion during the month of April 2025, 22.7% more than the April 2024 total of $46.4 billion. Year- to-year sales in April were up in the Americas by 44.4%, compared to 23.1% in Asia Pacific/All Other and 14.4% in China. GF said its add-on investment to the $13 billion worth of work already underway is “a strategic response to the explosive growth in artificial intelligence, which is accelerating demand for next-generation semiconductors designed for power efficiency and high-bandwidth performance across data centers, communications infrastructure and AI-enabled devices.” Among its Upstate projects is the recently launched New York Advanced Packaging and Photonics Center — the first U.S.-based facility of its kind dedicated to silicon photonics packaging, R&D initiatives focused on packaging innovation, silicon photonics and next- generation GaN (gallium nitride) technologies. The company said it’s collaborating with companies like Apple, SpaceX, AMD, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., NXP and GM that are “committed to reshoring semiconductor production to the U.S. and diversifying their global supply chains.” “GlobalFoundries has supplied semiconductors for Apple products since 2010, and we’re excited to see them expand right here in the United States,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook, whose own company in February pledged more than $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. “These chips are an essential part of Apple products like iPhone, and they’re a powerful example of American manufacturing leadership.”“Semiconductors are critical to the future of vehicles, and their importance will only grow,” said General Motors President Mark Reuss. “GlobalFoundries’ investment supports our work to secure a reliable, U.S.-based chip supply — essential for delivering the safety, infotainment and features our customers expect.” Micron’s vision includes “up to four leading-edge high-volume fabs in New York,” the company’s announcement stated, expanding on previously announced plans at its New York megafab site, originally announced in October 2022 as a $100 billion commitment with an eventual payoff of nearly 50,000 jobs (9,000 directly at Micron) over the ensuing 20 years. The company said it “expects to begin ground preparation in New York later this year following completion of state and federal environmental review processes,” with the intent to bring a second fab in Idaho online before the New York fab does. Micron is also expanding and modernizing its operation in Manassas, Virginia. Micron anticipates that all of its U.S. investments will be eligible for the Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit (AMIC). “Micron applauds Rep. Tenney (R-NY) for introducing the Building Advanced Semiconductors Investment Credit Act, which would increase AMIC to 35% and extend it by four years,” the company said. “Strengthening AMIC will help ensure investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing over the next four years and support long-term growth, reestablishing America’s leadership in this critical industry.” Already secured support at the local, state and federal level includes up to $6.4 billion in CHIPS Act direct funding. “Micron’s investment in advanced memory manufacturing and HBM capabilities in the U.S., with support from Trump Administration, is an important step forward for the AI ecosystem,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of Nvidia. “Micron’s leadership in high-performance memory is invaluable to enabling the next generation of AI breakthroughs that Nvidia is driving. We’re excited to collaborate with Micron as we push the boundaries of what’s possible in AI and high- performance computing.” T he first new aluminum production plant in the U.S. in more than four decades will begin taking shape near Tulsa in late 2026. In May, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), based in the UAE, announced a $4 billion project for production of primary aluminum (made from new aluminum) at a site in the industrial park at Tulsa Port of Inola. When operational, the facility will employ about 1,000 workers. That project is one of several that were announced during a three-week period this past spring that when combined will create nearly 3,000 new jobs. Another is from CBC Global Ammunition, which is investing $300 million for a new facility at the MidAmerica Industrial Park in Pryor, east of Tulsa, that will create 350 jobs. Dollar Tree is building a new distribution center in Marietta that will replace a tornado-damaged facility in the community south of Oklahoma City. Look for 400 new jobs from the project. The 1-million- sq.-ft. facility, which is set to be fully operational by spring 2027, will have the capacity to serve 700 Dollar Tree stores across the West and Southwest regions of the U.S., the company reports. “We are thrilled to announce our return to Marietta,” said Mike Kindy, executive vice president and chief supply chain officer, announcing the new distribution center in April. “This region and the Marietta community are critically important in our supply chain network and will be essential to our future growth. We’re proud of the role we’ve played in the greater Marietta by MARK AREND mark.arend@siteselection.com Oklahoma STATE SPOTLIGHT Emirates Global Aluminium will invest $4 billion in a manufacturing operation at Tulsa Port of Inola, where Sofidel (pictured) located in 2000. Image courtesy of Tulsa Ports 148 JULY 2025 SITE SELECTION Weeks, ,000 Jobs 3 Weeks, ,000 Jobs 3150 JULY 2025 SITE SELECTION BY THE NUMBERS OKLAHOMA Higher Ed. R&D Expenditure in $000s: 614,502 Number of NCRCs: 164,239 | Percent Improved 2023–24: 2.97% Business Tax Climate Rank Change 2024–2025: -2 Industrial power cost per kWh: $6.26 Total Rev. as Share of Total Expenses, FY 2008-22: 105.31% 2024 Workers’ Comp Index Rate: 1.41 Selected Top Projects by Capital Investment COMPANY CITY INVESTMENT $M The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Lawton 320 Anchor Glass Container Corp. Henryetta 50 Agile Space Industries Tulsa 35 Springfi eld Grocer Co. Tulsa 27 Tyson Poultry Broken Bow 26 Source: Conway Projects Database community, and we hope to welcome back many associates, bringing the Dollar Tree spirit back to the area.” Less Reliance on Foreign Aluminum e EGA plant is expected to have a production capacity of , tons of primary aluminum per year, according to the company, nearly doubling the United States’ production of an essential material for modern life and for national security. Some % of the aluminum needs of American industries, from automotive to aviation and construction, are currently met by imports. “ e United States has been an important market for EGA for several decades,” said Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of Emirates Global Aluminium, in announcing the project. “We know there is strong demand for our high- quality metal ‘made in America.’ EGA has the skills, technology and capital to start rebuilding this great American industry, and in Oklahoma I am confi dent we will secure the right conditions to do so. is is an important moment for EGA, and for the economic relationship between the United States and the United Arab Emirates.” Groundbreaking for CBC Global Ammunition’s new facility at MidAmerica Industrial Park is slated for late . e Governor’s Quick Action Closing Fund helped Oklahoma win the project. is incentive is performance-based, with funds distributed only after agreed- upon benchmarks are achieved. “ is facility will be a cornerstone for our future growth in the world’s most important market for small caliber ammunition,” said Fabio Mazzaro, president of CBC and board member of CBC Global Ammunition, in a release. “With in- house production of all components, propellant and critical energetic raw materials we envisage to build an industry-leading and fully vertically integrated company. We believe that the region’s supportive business environment makes Oklahoma an ideal location for CBC USA.” High Return on Aerospace Industry Investment Aerospace and defense remains one of Oklahoma’s signature industry sectors, with more than $ million in capital investment and new or expanding projects announced in . Combined they will create about , new jobs. e state’s Aerospace Commerce Economic Services (ACES) offi ce, part of the Department of Commerce, has played a key role. e state has invested $. million in ACES since the program was created in , the Department reports. To date, ACES has helped secure over $ billion in capital investment (a % ROI), project wins and , new jobs. Over the past decade, Oklahoma has seen a % increase in aerospace exports. In October , Pratt & Whitney opened its largest military engines fi eld location in Oklahoma City. e company says the $ million investment will enable it to meet the e United States has been an important market for EGA for several decades. We know there is strong demand for our high-quality metal ‘made in America.’ EGA has the skills, technology and capital to start rebuilding this great American industry, and in Oklahoma I am confi dent we will secure the right conditions to do so.” — Abdulnasser Bin Kalban , CEO, Emirates Global Aluminium e United States has been an important market for EGA for several SITE SELECTION JULY 2025 151 growing demands of both U.S. and global defense customers for the F135, F117, TF33, F100 and F119 engines. “Oklahoma City is the heart of our global sustainment network for Pratt & Whitney’s Military Engines business and plays a critical role on every single one of our programs,” said Jill Albertelli, president of Military Engines at Pratt & Whitney. “This new facility will serve as a hub for all of our military engine programs and allow us to better support our customers and their missions.” Pratt & Whitney’s Oklahoma City site is home to over 500 full-time employees, with an additional 500 contract and partner employees. This investment will create an additional 100 full-time jobs over the next five years. In addition to welcoming its first NBA Championship, Oklahoma City is celebrating a $255 million investment from Pratt & Whitney. Photo: Getty ImagesF or three days in late April, virtually every camera in the sports world trained its lens squarely on one city: Green Bay, Wisconsin. Hosting the NFL Draft commands that level of attention. More than , people showed up at the Green Bay Packers’ Lambeau Field and neighboring Titletown to enjoy the festivities of pro football’s second biggest spectacle. Most spectators and media types came to fi nd out where the college stars of today will play in the National Football League, but more than a few visitors came to kick the tires on Wisconsin’s business landscape. About people participated in a site selectors familiarization tour hosted by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. and New North Inc., the economic development group for greater Green Bay and northeast Wisconsin. e site selectors and I wanted to see what Wisconsin looked like far away from the media glare. Wisconsin passed this test with fl ying green and gold colors, revealing why it has become a force at winning highly competitive economic development projects. One glance at the Conway Projects Database shows this progress. From Microsoft’s $. AI data center development in Mount Pleasant to Eli Lilly’s $. billion expansion of its pharmaceutical manufacturing campus in Kenosha County, Wisconsin is experiencing a technology and manufacturing boom. Moreover, it is happening in every quarter, from Milwaukee to Appleton to Eau Claire. Rosewood Dairy/Renard’s by RON STARNER ron.starner@siteselection.com Wisconsin STATE SPOTLIGHT BY THE NUMBERS WISCONSIN Higher Ed. R&D Expenditure in $000s: 2,079,218 Number of NCRCs: 294,400 | Percent Improved 2023–24: 0.07% Business Tax Climate Rank Change 2024–2025: +5 Industrial power cost per kWh: $8.68 Total Rev. as Share of Total Expenses, FY 2008-22: 104.45% 2024 Workers’ Comp Index Rate: 1.67 Selected Top Projects by Capital Investment COMPANY CITY INVESTMENT $M Eli Lilly And Co. Bristol 3,000 Digital Power Optimization / Consolidated Water Power Co. / Billerud Americas Corp. Wisconsin Rapids 200 Uline Kenosha 129 PPD Development Middleton 61 Worthington Cylinder Corp. Chilton 59 Source: Conway Projects Database 152 JULY 2025 SITE SELECTION Wisconsin fl exes its muscle beyond the bright lights of the NFL. Capturing More Than a Moment SITE SELECTION JULY 2025 153 Downtown Green Bay at night Photo: Adobe Stock Images Cheese announced a ,-sq.-ft. remodel and expansion in Algoma. AmeriLux acquired . acres in De Pere for a $ million, ,-sq.-ft. factory that creates jobs; and Dakota Supply Group is building a ,-sq.-ft. facility in Sheboygan. A business tax credit incentive is playing a role, as is continued investment into talent attraction and creation of investment-ready sites for business. Engineers Lighting the Way Adam Rupp, co-founder and president of Wisconsin Lighting Lab Inc. in Fond du Lac, is a local business leader who’s bullish on the Badger State. “About three years ago, we doubled the size of our building to over , square feet, which enabled us to increase our throughput. We are doing this through equipment upgrades and process improvements,” says Rupp. “At the end of this year, we are putting in a very high-end powder-coating system. We do a lot of low to high-volume projects. e space that we plan will have a human craftsman touchpoint.” Rupp’s fi rm, known as WiLL, completed the $ million manufacturing operations expansion in late . Since then, it has multiplied production by a factor of . Rupp says that Wisconsin is known worldwide for its machine shops. “You can throw a football in Wisconsin and hit a machine shop,” he says. “ ey are so important to the economy and the supply base. We utilize that supply chain. A lot of engineers and builders are here in Fond du Lac County. You can attract good young talent here.” What propelled his high-end lighting manufacturing company to invest millions into expanding its facility footprint and hiring additional workers? “We are a good representative of the small business manufacturing community in Wisconsin,” Rupp says. “We adopted our name for a reason. We are very proud of where we come from. We deliver professional grade technology. at is what Wisconsin is known for.” Rupp, a graduate of the Lubar College of Business at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, also likes the fact that Wisconsin schools train students to be selective in who they work for. “About years ago, I was about to hire our fi rst intern,” he says. “He was a local kid from a local college. He was all set to come on board when I got a call from his professor, who had driven over to see our manufacturing lot. He told me that he would not let his student work for us. ‘I do not consider you to be a real business,’ he said. At the time, we didn’t look like much from the outside; and the professor said that he would never let one of his students work at a place that looked like this. at lit a fi re under me. It made me want to make our company a place where people would want to work.” e motivational match was lit. Changes were made, millions were spent on upgrades, and WiLL has since gone on to become a major lighting supplier for Walt Disney World in Florida and athletic stadiums around the country. New Incentive: The Cherry on Top? Missy Hughes, secretary of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC), says that companies like WiLL can be found all over the state. ey thrive, she says, because of their ability to recruit the best and brightest talent from a state that places a high priority on education and workforce development. “Wisconsin is on the plus side when it comes to attracting talent,” says Hughes. “We are seeing the needle move in our direction. e good work we’ve been doing in creating quality of life and attracting talent is paying off .” Meanwhile, a new incentive is turning corporate heads. “ e incentive we are most excited about is the change that has been made to our business tax credit incentive,” says Hughes. “It enables employers to receive refundable tax credits for investment without job creation. In a universe where workforce is a challenge, Wisconsin has really taken a step forward.” Next >