Incentivized CHIPS
Four months after SK hynix announced its $3.8 billion advanced packaging fabrication and AI R&D facility at Purdue University Research Park, CHIPS and Science Act funding has now swooped in. In August 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce and SK Hynix signed a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms that will direct a maximum of $450 million in federal incentives toward the project. The facility, to be located in West Lafayette, Indiana, is set to mass-produce high-bandwidth memory semiconductors by mid-2028. CHIPS funding will additionally be used to construct a research hub at the site for future R&D projects and collaborations between SK Hynix, Purdue University and their institutional and industry partners.
SK hynix’s CHIPS funding announcement means U.S. preliminary agreements have been reached with five global semiconductor manufacturers, including Intel, Micron, Samsung and TSMC.
Photo courtesy of Purdue University/Kelsey Lefever
Microsoft Boosts Capacity
According to documents filed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Microsoft has plans to soon grow its San Antonio campus. A proposed $482.6 million investment will go toward the construction of a new 244,000-sq.-ft. data center building. The addition will double the size of the data center campus and will include rental space for five new customers. Microsoft anticipates beginning construction of the building in 2026.
Microsoft’s latest project, named SAT82, will be at the same site where SAT80 and SAT81 are due to begin initial operations this year.
Photo courtesy of Microsoft
Harman Plays the Hits in Querétaro and Chihuahua
Through its automotive division, electronics company Harman, an independent subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., will invest in two new Mexico facilities. Harman Automotive has said the states of Querétaro and Chihuahua were selected for the projects. The city of Santiago de Querétaro in the state of Querétaro will gain a $115 million investment toward an entertainment systems manufacturing plant, creating 1,100 new jobs once complete. North of that location in Chihuahua’s border region, Harman is investing $15.9 million to construct a plant focused on plastic injection molding of parts to enhance the industry’s supply chain. The site in Juarez will be the company’s fourth in that location, with plans to initially produce 250,000 units per year, scaling to 7 million over five years. Harman has said this facility will create 100 new direct jobs.
Harman’s new Querétaro site will be the company’s fourth plant in the state.
Photo courtesy of Harman International
Amazon Enters A New Market
Puerto Rico is set to gain its first Amazon delivery station by 2025. The new 100,000-sq.-ft.-plus San Juan facility will be introduced by commercial real estate developer Ryan Companies U.S., representing the company’s first facility built off the nation’s mainland. “Puerto Rico is an ideal place to do business and our new delivery center will give us the opportunity to serve our customers more efficiently and faster,” said Amazon Vice President of Public Policy Ashleigh de la Torre. “We are excited about our future on the island and what this means for our customers as we continue to grow.” The facility itself will create 100 new jobs and serve as a central location for drivers to load and deliver packages, potentially creating 200 delivery driver roles.
Amazon aims to ensure its delivery service is faster and easier in Puerto Rico.
Photo courtesy of Amazon
A New Battery’s Arrival
California-based industrial battery manufacturer Natron Energy announced in August 2024 it would locate its first U.S. sodium-ion battery gigafactory project in North Carolina. Plans include a 1.2 million-sq.-ft. manufacturing plant to be located an hour east of Raleigh at Edgecombe County’s Kingsboro Megasite. The company’s investment of almost $1.4 billion toward the 437-acre site brings an anticipated 24 Gigawatts of sodium-ion batteries per year once complete. Uses of these batteries include powering data centers, microgrids and EV fast charging stations. The state awarded the project with a Job Development Investment Grant which could bring Natron a reimbursement of up to $21.7 million over 12 years. At the time of full operation the plant will create 1,000 new roles.
Edgecombe County is expected to apply for a $30 million grant to support the project’s development.
Photo courtesy of Natron Energy
Sunny Skies Charge New Investment
Ebon Solar announced plans for a new solar cell manufacturing facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in August 2024. The $942 million project lands in the city’s Mesa del Sol industrial development area and will create 900 new jobs. “The choice of Albuquerque for our investment aligns with our commitment to sustainable innovation, and New Mexico offers abundant solar resources, favorable renewable energy policies, and a dedicated, skilled workforce,” said Ebon Solar CEO Judy Cai. “These factors enhance Ebon Solar’s capital investment and production capabilities and make the City of Albuquerque, Bernalillo County and the State of New Mexico ideal partners as we integrate into the clean energy market.” Construction of the 834,000-sq.-ft. solar cell manufacturing plant will ensure the company can conduct the full lifecycle of its operations under one roof.
Ebon Solar selected New Mexico for its solar resources and renewable energy policies.
Photo: Getty Images
