DAYTON — Intel’s $20 billion computer chip facility has the federal government excited for the Miami Valley.
Don Graves, Deputy Secretary of Commerce, is a Ohio native, born and raised in the Cleveland area. He told News Center 7′s Molly Koweek he is looking forward to what Intel’s new plant, planned to be built in Licking County, will do for the state.
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“It’s going to create massive opportunities, not just in the Columbus area, but all across the state, and frankly across the country,” Graves said.
During the announcement last week, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger said the facility would bring 3,000 jobs and 7,000 construction jobs, but Graves said it will provide employment opportunities well beyond that.
“It’s the whole supply chain that is absolutely vital to the success of the U.S. semiconductor industry,” Graves said. “So my expectation is that as the Intel fab it built out, as they look to expand their supply chain, there will be businesses all across the state, frankly all across the Midwest that will get the opportunity to participate in the production, in the packaging, in the design of those chips.”
Graves said it will also create to show off Ohio on a national and global state.
“In Ohio, it’s important for us to make sure that every part of the state, every community has an opportunity to participate, to drive innovation,” Graves said. “We know that good ideas don’t just end in Silicon Valley, or in New York City. There’s great ideas everywhere.”