Business Groups Ask Feds to Build Semiconductor Research Hub in CA

A coalition of California business-advocacy organizations has asked the Biden administration to build a semiconductor research facility in the state, the Silicon Valley Business Journal reported. Specifically, the coalition asks the administration to locate the National Semiconductor Technology Center somewhere in California. The center was proposed as part of the $280-billion CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.

“California continues to serve as the heart of America’s innovation sector,” read the letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. “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.”

The letter was signed by the leaders of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, the Bay Area Council, Fremont Chamber of Commerce, San Mateo County Economic Development Association and Los Angeles County Business Federation. Recently, the Department of Commerce designated 31 geographically diverse Tech Hubs to strengthen U.S. national and economic security, but Silicon Valley was not among them.