Washington state creates working group to target CHIPS Act funding, stoke semiconductor industry

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A new public-private working group organized by the Washington Department of Commerce will begin meeting this month to help attract federal funding from the CHIPS and Science Act and bolster the state’s semiconductor industry.

The group, sparked by a directive from Gov. Jay Inslee last month, includes leaders from universities, research institutions, technology companies, and government.

The initial focus for the group is securing funding from the National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program.

The bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, passed in 2022, aimed to infuse $52 billion into the domestic semiconductor industry to keep the U.S. competitive with countries such as China and other rivals. U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, a democrat from Washington state, helped pass the legislation.

The CHIPS Act has fueled investments in a handful of Washington state initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, aerospace materials manufacturing, scientific research, and more.

Washington state’s semiconductor industry generates $4.5 billion in economic impact and $673 million in annual wages, while employing nearly 8,600 people, according to the Department of Commerce.

“CHIPS Act federal funding programs present a vital opportunity to expand Washington state’s semiconductor industry,” said Joseph Williams, the state’s director of economic development for the Information and Communications Technology sector, who is facilitating the working group.

The state passed laws earlier this year to extend tax preferences for the semiconductor industry.

The University of Washington last year secured $10 million in CHIPS funds for workforce development.

Commerce Director Mike Fong is serving as chair of the working group. Additional members from three “major Washington technology companies” and other legislators will be named later.

Here is the full list of participants:

Dr. Maria Huffman, director of University of Washington’s Washington Nanofab Facility
Dr. Partha Pande, interim dean, Washington State University’s Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Carl Douglas, executive director, Clark College’s Advanced Manufacturing Center
Rob Ogburn, executive director, Central Washington University’s Business & Community Services
David Wise, vice president, Heritage University
Dr. James Ang, chief scientist for computing, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Andrew Sloss, vice president of technology, Vaire Computing
Jennifer Baker, president and CEO of the Columbia River Economic Development Council
Geoff Potter, deputy director of federal affairs, Office of the Governor
Carol Albert, senior advisor for federal funding, Office of the Governor
Rep. Cindy Ryu, chair of the House Technology, Economic Development and Veterans Committee