On January 5, the Governor officially announced that three companies — Microchip Technology, HP and Intel — will receive grants to grow their businesses in Oregon following a historic, bipartisan push from lawmakers to incentivize new investment and jobs. Based on initial projections, assuming all grants applied for are awarded, they are expected to generate $40 billion in new investments and more than 6,000 new jobs in the semiconductor, construction, and other industries in Oregon.
“This is exactly the outcome we were hoping for when we worked together to pass the Oregon CHIPS legislation earlier this year,” said Senator Janeen Sollman (D-Hillsboro), co-chair of the Joint Committee on Semiconductors and a chief sponsor of Senate Bill 4. “Semiconductors are the foundation of our modern economy – and will be for years to come. With these smart investments, we are building a brighter future that will give our children and grandchildren career opportunities here in Oregon.”
“It’s great to see Oregon businesses seizing on the opportunity to benefit from federal CHIPS funding,” said Representative Nancy Nathanson (D-North Eugene), co-chair of the Joint Committee on Tax Expenditures and a chief sponsor of House Bill 2009. “House Bill 2009 modernizes Oregon’s economic incentives and makes them accessible for businesses of all sizes throughout the state. This is about making intentional investments that will have positive impacts across our entire economy.”
“We’re building a more stable, more secure economy for working families in Oregon,” said Senator Mark Meek (D-Gladstone), co-chair of the Joint Committee on Tax Expenditures and a chief sponsor of House Bill 2009. “Oregon is open for business.”
“Today’s announcement is a win for our entire state,” said Representative Nathan Sosa (D-Greater Hillsboro). “It is going to strengthen Oregon’s prominence as a global center for semiconductor production and create thousands of good-paying jobs for Oregonians.”
“This is a great day for our district. Microchip is estimating nearly 300 jobs are coming to our community thanks to these investments. That’s hundreds of families who will get stable, family-wage paychecks and more customers for our local businesses,” said Senator Chris Gorsek (D-Gresham), who represents the Microchip Technology Gresham factory that will be expanded thanks to these grants from Oregon and $72 million from the federal CHIPS Act.
“There’s no doubt that this will strengthen the work that Microchip is already doing to recruit and maintain high quality family-wage jobs to our community and to the State of Oregon.” said Representative Zach Hudson (D-East Multnomah County), who also represents the area where the Microchip Technology Gresham factory is located. “I look forward to continuing the legislature’s work to grow public-private partnerships that are forward-thinking and add value inside and outside of the state.”
“In 2023, we came together quickly to ensure Oregon would be well positioned to grow our already nationally dominant semiconductor technology industry–just under a year later, the results are showing,” said House Speaker Dan Rayfield (D-Corvallis). “I look forward to seeing the new growth, family-wage jobs, and innovative partnerships that stem from these critical funding opportunities.”
“These grants, and the federal investments on their way, are a testament to the talent and genius of Oregon,” said Senator Sara Gelser Blouin (D-Corvallis), who represents HP’s Corvallis facility. “The innovation powered by these investments will boost prosperity in our community and ripple out to lift up Oregonians in every corner of our state.”
Oregon is capitalizing on a once-in-a-generation opportunity to draw down a portion of $52 billion in federal funds made available through the CHIPS and Science Act to boost domestic semiconductor research and manufacturing. Earlier this year, the Oregon Legislature passed Oregon CHIPS (Senate Bill 4), an unprecedented $210 million investment that opened the door for Oregon businesses to access the federal money and further develop the infrastructure they need to be competitive on a national scale. As part of the same Semiconductor Task Force recommendations that inspired Senate Bill 4, the Legislature also enacted House Bill 2009, which creates a research and development tax credit, extends the enterprise zone program and updates Oregon’s strategic investment package to further boost sustainable economic growth and family-wage, long-term jobs in every corner of the state.
