SAN JOSE, Calif. (November 29, 2023) – Leading a coalition of California business associations, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG) today urged the Biden Administration to headquarter the new National Semiconductor Technology Center in California and invest in the state’s semiconductor R&D and workforce development.
As part of the $280 billion CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration is making critical investments to increase the nation’s global technology competitiveness over the next decade. Recently, the Department of Commerce designated 31 geographically diverse Tech Hubs to strengthen U.S. national and economic security.
In addition, the bipartisan act directs the Commerce Department to select a headquarters for the newly created National Semiconductor Technology Center. California, home to the innovation ecosystem driving the advancement of semiconductors and other critical technologies, is uniquely positioned to facilitate the center’s mission of advancing semiconductor research and manufacturing.
“California and Silicon Valley lead the world in advancing the semiconductor innovations critical to our nation’s economic growth, national security, and global competitiveness,” said Ahmad Thomas, CEO of Silicon Valley Leadership Group. “Led by our innovative member companies, the Golden State is well-positioned to serve as the headquarters of a new national semiconductor center focused on manufacturing, research and workforce training.”
In a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, the coalition emphasized, “California continues to serve as the heart of America’s innovation sector…As representatives of the technology companies, research entities, financial and legal institutions that comprise the Innovation Economy, we urge the administration to seize the opportunity to strengthen our national and economic security by investing in California.”
In addition to the SVLG, the letters were signed by the Bay Area Council, Fremont Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles County Business Federation, and San Mateo County Economic Development Association.
Semiconductors are the essential components of the technologies critical to U.S. economic growth, national security, and global competitiveness. The landmark CHIPS and Science Act has already prompted Applied Materials – one of the largest manufacturing companies in the world – to locate its cutting-edge $4 billion semiconductor research center in the Golden State. The project promises to build upon the region’s 64,000 semiconductor manufacturing jobs.
President Biden released an implementation strategy for the $50 billion under the CHIPS for America program, which is available here. A summary of the legislation is available here.
About the Silicon Valley Leadership Group:
The Leadership Group is a business organization of hundreds of Silicon Valley’s most dynamic companies working to shape the innovation economy of California and the nation. Founded by David Packard of Hewlett-Packard, for over 40 years the SVLG has worked to address issues that affect the region’s economic health and quality of life. Today the SVLG Is focused on economic competitiveness with a special focus on diversity & inclusion, climate change and infrastructure. SVLG members collectively provide nearly one of every three private sector jobs in Silicon Valley and contribute more than $3 trillion to the worldwide economy. For more information, visit svlg.org.
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