Before announcing its mammoth $100 billion plan for New York (see New York Spotlight in this issue), semiconductor company Micron Technology, Inc., announced plans to invest $15 billion…

Micron Goes Macro in Idaho

Before announcing its mammoth $100 billion plan for New York (see New York Spotlight in this issue), semiconductor company Micron Technology, Inc., announced plans to invest $15 billion in the first new memory fab in the U.S. in 20 years in Boise, Idaho. The first of five planned investments from the company will increase the U.S. supply of chips needed for the automotive and data center markets. The strategic location of the facility near the company’s R&D center and HQ will boost operational efficiency, technology deployment and time to market, the company said. To support its workers and the Idaho community the plant will open a child-care facility, expand investment for K-12 STEM education programs, work with the College of Western Idaho on relevant curriculum and offer its own apprenticeship program. Micron’s investment marks the largest private investment in state history and will create more than 17,000 jobs by the end of the decade.

Rendering of the new Micron memory fab coming to Boise, Idaho.

Source: Micron Technology, Inc.

Porsche Powers Forward

Before announcing its mammoth $100 billion plan for New York (see New York Spotlight in this issue), semiconductor company Micron Technology, Inc., announced plans to invest $15 billion in the first new memory fab in the U.S. in 20 years in Boise, Idaho. The first of five planned investments from the company will increase the U.S. supply of chips needed for the automotive and data center markets. The strategic location of the facility near the company’s R&D center and HQ will boost operational efficiency, technology deployment and time to market, the company said. To support its workers and the Idaho community the plant will open a child-care facility, expand investment for K-12 STEM education programs, work with the College of Western Idaho on relevant curriculum and offer its own apprenticeship program. Micron’s investment marks the largest private investment in state history and will create more than 17,000 jobs by the end of the decade.

Source: Porsche Cars North America

BBBRC Awardees

The U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge awarded 21 winners across the U.S. between $25 and $65 million.

Map courtesy of U.S. Economic Development Administration

Michigan Finds the ONE, Honda/LG Married to Ohio

Michigan-based energy storage technology company Our Next Energy (ONE), announced in October it will invest $1.6 billion to bring ONE Circle, a battery cell manufacturing plant, to Van Buren Township, Michigan. The company looked in 12 states and one Canadian province before selecting Michigan due to the state’s alignment on sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. The site is anticipated to be operational by the end of 2027, creating 2,112 new jobs. “ONE is thrilled to select Michigan for our first cell factory, due to the state’s unique combination of battery talent, proximity to material supply and access to low-cost energy,” said Mujeeb Ijaz, founder and CEO of ONE.

Honda Motor Company and LG Energy Solutions will join forces at a $4.4 billion EV battery manufacturing plant in Fayette County, Ohio, southwest of Columbus, to produce battery supplies exclusively for Honda facilities in North America. “Honda is proud of our history in Ohio, where our U.S. manufacturing operations began more than four decades ago. Now, as we expand Honda’s partnership with Ohio, we are investing in a workforce that will create the power source for our future Honda and Acura electric vehicles,” said Bob Nelson, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., 45 years to the day after Honda first began production in Ohio.

Source: Our Next Energy

Redeveloped in Glorious Technicolor

Technicolor’s former HQ and Metro Pictures studio lot has been selected for a $600 million investment to redevelop the 183,000-sq.-ft. space into an urban studio campus by BARDAS Investment Group and Bain Capital Real Estate. The companies plan to expand the campus to 620,000 sq. ft. rebranded as Echelon Television Center, featuring a studio lot, refurbished office spaces, rooftop office bungalows and four soundstages. “We have strong conviction in the secular demand drivers underpinning the continued growth of the media and entertainment industry and are delighted to expand our portfolio with BARDAS,” said Bain Capital Real Estate Managing Director Joe Marconi.

Rendering courtesy of BARDAS Investment Group

Big Wheels Keep on Rollin’ in Tennessee

After 32 years, Bridgestone is expanding its Tennessee footprint at its Warren County plant with a $550 million investment. Construction for the company’s flagship truck and bus radial tire plant will begin later this year to add an additional 850,000 sq. ft. to the existing facility. New technology and AI capabilities will be implemented into production to provide data-driven insights on digital readiness, sensors and control technology to increase productivity to meet growing demand. The plant will add 380 jobs, boosting Bridgestone’s U.S. workforce close to 10,000.

Motorcyclists ride on Bridgestone BATTLAX SPORT TOURING T32 tires.

Source: Bridgestone Americas, Inc.