New York Semiconductor Facility Gains Boost
GlobalFoundries is heading back to its Malta, New York, operations to construct a first-of-its-kind Advanced Packaging and Photonics Center. The new $575 million facility ensures semiconductors produced at the site can be manufactured, processed, packaged and tested solely in the U.S., in line with growing demands for the company’s silicon photonics. These and other essential chips are vital to markets within AI, automotive, aerospace and defense as well as communications. “The New York Advanced Packaging and Photonics Center will be unique in our industry and will play a vital role in the continued growth of the Empire State’s world-class semiconductor manufacturing and innovation ecosystem,” said GlobalFoundries President and CEO Dr. Thomas Caulfield. The project, which will create 100 new jobs, additionally entails a $186 million investment into R&D capabilities over the next decade.
Stardust Power says its project will create an established U.S. base of critical materials manufacturing, reducing reliance on imports from foreign countries.
Photo courtesy of Stardust Power Inc.
Stardust Found in Muskogee
In January, Oklahoma officials, including Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell, joined Stardust Power Inc. to celebrate the groundbreaking of the battery manufacturing company’s new 66-acre site in Muskogee. The $1.2 billion lithium refinery at the Southside Industrial Park will soon produce up to 50,000 metric tons of battery-grade lithium per annum. “With the land acquired and necessary construction permits secured in 2024, we are excited to break ground and begin construction,” said Stardust Power Founder and CEO Roshan Pujari. “With continued support from the State of Oklahoma, we are moving forward with becoming one of the country’s leading suppliers of battery-grade lithium. Stardust Power is proud to play a key role in safeguarding America’s critical mineral interests and supporting Oklahoma’s economy.” The site, located in proximity to the Port of Muskogee, will be constructed over two phases. The initial phase will introduce a production line that will have a capacity of 25,000 metric tons per annum.
Diageo Montgomery will cater to future company growth and simplify logistical needs.
Rendering courtesy of Diageo North America
Drinks on Alabama
Diageo North America aims to strengthen its supply network by establishing a new manufacturing and warehousing facility in Montgomery, Alabama. The $415 million investment will bring a 360,000-sq.-ft. facility to life producing a number of the company’s popular alcohol beverage brands, with a multi-million-case annual production capacity. The strategic location enables Diageo to distribute its products faster while reducing carbon emissions. “The new facility will not only bring our business closer to our customers and distributors in the South but also enable our broader supply network to operate more efficiently and sustainably,” said Diageo North American Supply President Marsha McIntosh. “This investment underscores our commitment to building greater resiliency into our supply chain across North America.” The site is anticipated to become operational in late 2025, creating 100 new jobs.
Novva Data Centers’ Arizona campus will join its portfolio of data center locations in California, Colorado, Nevada and Utah.
Rendering courtesy of Novva Data Centers
Mesa’s Got Data
In February 2025, Novva Data Centers was approved to move forward with plans for a $3 billion data center campus in Mesa, Arizona. The project will be constructed on a 165-acre site the company won with a $62.7 million bid at a state land auction in 2023. Plans include five data centers and an office building encompassing over 1.1 million sq. ft. in total. Each center will be around 250,000 sq. ft., while the office building is expected to cover over 150,000 sq. ft. on the campus. Novva has stated that the first of the five planned data centers is anticipated to come online in late 2026. The company’s project will join a suite of companies setting up data center operations in the Phoenix metro, including the likes of Google and Amazon.
In addition to investments in Houston and Detroit, Apple plans to scale operations in California, Arizona, Nevada, Iowa, Oregon, North Carolina and Washington.
Photo courtesy of Apple
As American as Apple Pie
In a move that marks Apple’s largest investment to date, the tech giant has committed to invest $500 billion throughout the U.S. by 2029. Investment activity will drive initiatives across artificial intelligence, silicon engineering and skills development for new and existing talent pipelines. “We are bullish on the future of American innovation, and we’re proud to build on our longstanding U.S. investments with this $500 billion commitment to our country’s future,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook on February 24. “From doubling our Advanced Manufacturing Fund, to building advanced technology in Texas, we’re thrilled to expand our support for American manufacturing.” In Texas, Houston will gain an advanced manufacturing facility making Apple Intelligence servers. Apple will house a new manufacturing training academy in Detroit, Michigan. With this activity in motion Apple anticipates creating 20,000 new roles within the next four years focused on R&D, silicon engineering, software development, AI and machine learning.
