Hillsboro, Oregon just hit the jackpot with a whopping $8.5 billion courtesy of U.S. CHIPS Act funding pouring into local tech giant Intel, setting the stage for a semiconductor surge that's expected to ramp up jobs and innovation in the ever-growing Silicon Forest. Mayor Steve Callaway didn't hold back his excitement, showering Intel with praise for the big score and for keeping Hillsboro on the map as a tech powerhouse.
"The City of Hillsboro extends our heartfelt congratulations to Intel and the tens of thousands of Intel employees here in Oregon on this CHIPS and Science Act award," Callaway said, according to an official statement on the City of Hillsboro's website. He wasn't shy in expressing his anticipation for the "world's first High NA EUV lithography equipment" either, a move poised to keep the city's Gordon Moore Park campus at Ronler Acres at the forefront of tech innovation.
It's not just about the cutting-edge gizmos, though. This investment is a cash cow for the community, expected to support thousands of family-wage manufacturing and construction jobs. Callaway was quick to highlight the long-term perks for the region, emphasizing opportunities for "generational wealth building," especially for the kids in the region who might just see a fatter piggy bank because of it.
What's more, the mayor tipped his hat to Intel for being a, quite literally, big-ticket taxpayer—the largest in Washington County—and for being the largest private employer in the state. He underlined the company's contributions beyond the dollar signs, pointing to their support for workforce development through initiatives like the Semiconductor Quick Start Bootcamp. These projects have tangible kickbacks for city residents, Callaway argues, bringing amenities like the Gordon Faber Sports Complex and Hondo Dog Park to life, all thanks to the bucks shelled out by Intel.
With the recent influx of capital and confidence in the semiconductor industry, courtesy of Intel's new funds, Hillsboro is gearing up to be the heartbeat of tech's next big leap forward. For a city that's embraced its role as a tech haven, the future's looking bright—with a hefty bank balance to match.
