Senator Sherrod Brown Leads Efforts To Pass CHIPS Act
the U.S. Senate passed a legislative package that includes the CHIPS Act of 2022, which includes historic funding for domestic semiconductor manufacturing as well as a Science Title with funding for essential priorities for Ohio’s economy. U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) has been instrumental in moving the legislation through the Senate. The CHIPS Act will support and grow domestic supply chains, invest in Ohio manufacturing jobs, and reduce costs for Americans by reversing decades of offshoring American manufacturing. Currently, 90 percent of chip manufacturing capacity is overseas, but with investments in domestic manufacturing – like Intel’s investment in a semiconductor plant in New Albany – chips will become a major American export out of Ohio. The Cleveland.com and the Plain Dealer Editorial Board have applauded Brown’s bipartisan work to craft legislation to support investments in Ohio manufacturing. The package now heads to the House for consideration.
“By investing in Ohio’s manufacturing, research and higher education, the CHIPS Act will restore critical supply chains, help lower costs for Ohioans, and create thousands of good-paying jobs,” said Brown. “This is a first step toward ending decades of corporate offshoring of our supply chains that cost Ohio jobs and now is costing everyone by causing inflation. We are putting another nail in the coffin for the term ‘Rust Belt’ – and we’re just getting started.”
In January, Intel announced a $20 billion investment to build a semiconductor plant in New Albany, which is expected to create 10,000 jobs. The CHIPS Act will boost Intel’s initial investment to create thousands of additional jobs in Ohio. It will also support critical Ohio industries, like the auto industry and other high-tech manufacturing. Brown worked with local and state leaders and other members of Ohio’s Congressional delegation to ensure that Intel chose Ohio for what will be its most advanced manufacturing facility in the world. Brown also applauded Intel’s announcement to invest $50 million in Ohio higher education initiatives targeting the semiconductor industry. Intel’s announcement is in partnership with the U.S. National Science Foundation, which will provide an additional $50 million for research grants nationally that will be available to Ohio institutions.
“We applaud the U.S. Senate and the leadership of Senator Sherrod Brown in securing passage of the CHIPS Act to drive domestic semiconductor production, ensuring access to current and future critical technologies that increase our economic and national security. This bill is a win for Ohio workers and our local communities that will see massive job creation while driving down inflation. CHIPS funding is a needed first step in the pursuit of overdue policies that make the U.S. more competitive with trading partners like China that refuse to play by the rules,” said Tim Burga, President, Ohio AFL-CIO.
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