The Department of Commerce’s CHIPS Act Program Office has
received more than 200 Statements of Interest (SOIs) since February.
NOFO
The first Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) was released at
the end of February this year. The NOFO detailed some of the incentives for
semiconductor and equipment manufacturing facilities laid out in the CHIPS Act.
Over 50% of the statements show interest in the first NOFO,
but the rest indicate interest in upcoming funding opportunities for
semiconductor suppliers and R&D facilities.
Applicants include leading-edge fabs, legacy chip facilities
and packaging facilities. The Department is evaluating applications based on
whether they will advance the US economy and protect national security.
Statements so far
The CHIPS Program Office Director, Mike Schmidt, and Chief Investment
Officer, Todd Fisher, were recently interviewed by Bloomberg.
During the interview Schmidt mentioned some issues that were
repeatedly coming up in SOIs, including what federal state local permits were
required, and what the NIPA (National Income and Product Accounts) review
process would be.
Schmidt made it clear that, although the US has a share in
the global semiconductor R&D industry, it is lagging behind in leading-edge
logic and advanced chips. They also both stressed they were aiming for supply
chain resilience, rather than a purely financial return.
Supporting the industry workforce
Some critics have questioned the relevancy of certain areas
covered in the CHIPS Act, including the childcare clause. The Act’s first NOFO set
childcare requirements that manufacturers would have to fulfil to qualify for
funding. Some question whether this is relevant or necessary to the Act,
however Fisher and Schmidt said it was.
Schmidt stated that workforce concerns are at the top of
many companies priorities lists. He said that adding a childcare clause is an
aide to attracting a larger, more diverse workforce down the line. Fisher added
that he thought the US workforce system is “not where it needs to be”, and in
the last 20 years the domestic semiconductor industry lost a third of its
workers while the industry tripled globally.
The two also cited companies such as Samsung, TSMC and
Micron who all have successful childcare policies in place.
A class act
Despite the fast-paced nature of the electronics industry, Lantek
Corporation is a safe, reliable choice to source all your electronic components.
With an extensive stocklist, global network, unrivalled on-time delivery and
dedicated account management team, we’re able to provide a rapid response to
our customers’ urgent needs and dynamic market conditions. Contact Lantek today
at sales@lantekcorp.com, or call us
on 1-973-579-8100.