GlobalWafers America, LLC and MEMC LLC will receive up to $400 million in proposed direct funding from the CHIPS and Science Act. The companies, which are subsidiaries of GlobalWafers Co., Ltd., signed a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) with the U.S. Department of Commerce to help onshore critical semiconductor wafer production. The funding will be used to support the creation and expansion of new wafer manufacturing facilities in Texas and Missouri, generating 880 new jobs in the process. In Sherman, Texas, GlobalWafers will establish the first U.S. 300mm silicon wafer manufacturing facility for advanced chips. Additionally, the company will convert a portion of its existing silicon epitaxy wafer manufacturing facility to silicon carbide (SiC) epitaxy wafer manufacturing. In St. Peters, Missouri, GlobalWafers will establish a new facility to produce 300mm silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers.
What people are saying
In a recent quote, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said, “President Biden is restoring our leadership in the entire semiconductor supply chain – from materials to manufacturing, to R&D. With this proposed investment, GlobalWafers will play a crucial role in bolstering America’s semiconductor supply chain by providing a domestic source of silicon wafers that are the backbone of advanced chips. As a result of this proposed investment, the Biden-Harris Administration is helping to secure our supply chains, which will create over 2,000 jobs across Texas and Missouri and ultimately lowering costs and improving economic and national security for Americans.”
Arati Prabhakar, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, added, “President Biden is taking historic action to bring semiconductor manufacturing back in the United States. The semiconductor wafers that will come from today’s announcement will be the foundation for the complex chips we need to compete in the global economy. We’re bolstering our national security, advancing our clean energy transition, and creating good jobs that support families in Texas and Missouri.”
Manufacturers investing in Texas
Westlake Pipe & Fittings to build PVCO pipe plant in Texas
The company will open the new 190,000-square-foot facility by the end of the year.
Toyota invests $531 million to expand manufacturing presence in Texas
The new 500,000-square-foot facility will be used to produce drivetrain parts.
Window manufacturer invests $121 million to build new production facility in Texas
The company received a $3,150,000 Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) grant as well as a $15,000 Veteran Created Job Bonus.
Manufacturers receiving funds from the CHIPS Act
Rogue Valley Microdevices receives $6.7 million from Chips Act to build new foundry in Florida
It’s estimated that this new facility will nearly triple RVM’s manufacturing capacity.
Entegris receives $75 million from CHIPS Act to build Colorado facility and support the semiconductor supply chain
Operation at the plant is expected to begin in 2025, with 600 new jobs being created in the process.
Polar Semiconductor receives $120 million from the CHIPS Act to expand Minnesota plant
The expansion is expected to allow Polar to increase its production of 200mm semiconductor wafers to approximately 40,000 wafers per month.
Investing in American manufacturing in 2024
This map shows where manufacturers are choosing to invest their resources, whether they are building new production facilities or expanding existing plants.