New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham welcomed the White House’s announcement, positioning New Mexico and the borderplex as a pivotal domestic hub for silicon chip manufacturing. President Joe Biden revealed a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) between the U.S. Department of Commerce and Intel Corporation, earmarking up to $8.5 billion in direct funding under the CHIPS and Science Act. This initiative aims to fortify the U.S. supply chain and revive American supremacy in semiconductor production.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham speaks to Intel New Mexico employees on Jan. 24, 2024, at the company’s New Mexico campus.
Governor Lujan Grisham expressed pride in Intel’s longstanding presence in New Mexico, spanning over 40 years. She highlighted the recent completion of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, generating thousands of jobs for New Mexicans. With the enactment of the historic CHIPS and Science Act, Governor Lujan Grisham lauded the influx of investments into the state, ensuring Intel’s continued leadership in technological advancement.
Intel foresees investments surpassing $100 billion across the United States, bolstering capacity and capabilities in Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio, and Oregon. This expansion is poised to directly create over 10,000 manufacturing roles and nearly 20,000 construction positions. Notably, the Intel facility in Sandoval County will undergo modernization to transform two fabs into advanced packaging facilities, addressing a critical gap in the domestic semiconductor supply chain. Upon reaching full operational capacity, this facility will stand as the largest advanced packaging facility in the nation.
To support engineering students in New Mexico, Intel has initiated endowment scholarships dedicated to STEM education initiatives, alongside mentoring and internship opportunities for students in two-year certificate programs.
Mark Roper, Acting Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD), attributed Intel’s success in the state to robust partnerships with local entities and the federal government. Leveraging state assistance through the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) and the EDD’s Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP), Intel has received training assistance for over 400 jobs. Moreover, collaborative hiring events held last year, co-sponsored by Intel, EDD, and the Department of Workforce Solutions, filled many of these positions.
Roper underscored Intel’s significant economic contribution to New Mexico, with investments exceeding $16 billion since 1980. Presently, Intel employs over 2,600 individuals in the state, generating an annual economic impact of $1.2 billion. He emphasized the tangible benefits of incentives and business partnerships in creating career opportunities and pathways for New Mexicans, with Intel anticipating the hiring of 700 new employees, primarily from within the state.
