When Micron Technology announced a $15 billion investment through the end of the decade in a new memory manufacturing fab in Boise in September 2022, it was and still is the largest private project in Idaho’s history. Construction commenced in October 2023 on the plant which will employ about 2,000 people when complete. It’s the first new memory fab project in the U.S. in 20 years. The company says dynamic random-access memory, or DRAM, production will begin in the latter part of the decade.
In April, Micron and the Department of Commerce signed a non-binding Preliminary Memorandum of Terms for $6.1 billion in CHIPS and Science Act funding, some of which will support the Boise project. “This is a historic moment for semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S.,” said Micron President and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra at the signing announcement. “Micron’s leading-edge memory is foundational to meeting the growing demands of artificial intelligence, and we are proud to be making significant memory manufacturing investments in the U.S., which will create many high-tech jobs.”
Solving Barriers to Entry
With access to child care a key consideration for potential employees, Micron broke ground in May 2023 on its Childcare Center located adjacent to its headquarters and the future memory fab. It will be run by the Treasure Valley Family YMCA and will provide STEM-based programming.
“I’m proud of Micron’s comprehensive approach to workforce development and our work to make childcare accessible and affordable for our employees,” said Micron Senior Vice President, Chief People Officer and President of the Micron Foundation April Arnzen at the groundbreaking. “We recognize that there are systemic barriers to workforce entry and re-entry, including child-care services, which is why we are focused on providing child care options that support and expand the workforce, and benefits the broader community.”
In June, French industrial gas provider Air Liquide announced plans to build a gas production facility in Boise to supply Micron and other customers with ultra-pure nitrogen and other gases. The company will invest $250 million in the project.
