NATCAST selects CA, NY for semiconductor R&D facilities

NATCAST, the operator of the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) tasked with bolstering the United States' semiconductor industry, announced Albany NY and Sunnyvale CA as the locations for two major R&D facilities. The funding comes from the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, legislation aimed at revitalizing American semiconductor manufacturing and research.

NATCAST selected Sunnyvale, California, as the location for the second CHIPS for America R&D flagship facility. This facility is expected to drive over $1 billion in research funding and is expected to create more than 200 direct jobs over the next decade.

• Semiconductor Design and EDA: The Sunnyvale facility will focus on advanced semiconductor design and electronic design automation (EDA), which are essential for developing cutting-edge chips.
• Innovation Hub: By concentrating research efforts in Sunnyvale, a region known for its tech industry, the facility aims to foster innovation and collaboration.
• Supply Chain Resilience: The facility will contribute to the resilience of the U.S. semiconductor supply chain, reducing reliance on foreign sources.

NATCAST announced that the CHIPS for America Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Accelerator will be housed within NY CREATES' Albany NanoTech Complex. This facility will receive $825 million in federal funding to drive innovation in advanced semiconductor manufacturing.

• EUV Lithography: This technology is required for producing the most advanced semiconductor chips, and the EUV Accelerator is expected to play an important role in advancing this technology.
• Albany NanoTech Complex: A well-established hub for semiconductor research and development, this location should provide an ideal environment for the EUV Accelerator.
• Economic Impact: The facility is expected to create high-paying jobs and stimulate economic growth in New York State.

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, these two developments underscore the U.S. government's commitment to revitalizing the domestic semiconductor industry by investing in cutting-edge research, fostering collaboration between industry, academia, and government, and creating a robust ecosystem for innovation.

This article was prepared by SSTI using Federal funds under award ED22HDQ3070129 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.