High-paying jobs. High-tech industry. The Columbus area now is closer to getting more
A local alliance dedicated to attracting semiconductor and related supply chain businesses to the Columbus area has taken a major step toward achieving that goal.
Led by the United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley, the alliance is among 22 finalists out of 565 applicants nationwide now eligible to compete for four to eight federal grants ranging from $20 million to $50 million in this economic and workforce development initiative.
The alliance officially is named Chattahoochee Hub for Innovation and Production of Semiconductors, but most folks refer to it as CHIPS4Chips (as in computer chips) or C4C.
The Economic Development Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce announced the finalists in this contest called Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program.
EDA also announced C4C as one of 24 recipients of a $500,000 Strategy Development Grant to increase local coordination and planning.
“This grant will help us create the workforce of the future in the Chattahoochee Valley, which is the key component in attracting industry investment and high-wage jobs,” Ben Moser, president and CEO of the United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley, said in a news release.
The program is designed to renew economic opportunities in communities with insufficient business development and jobs. It targets areas where prime-age (25-54) employment significantly trails the national average.
In 2022, Congress passed the CHIPS (Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors) and Science Act. It authorizes as much as $1 billion in federal grants over five years to boost national and economic security by creating a highly skilled workforce for high-paying jobs and by recruiting semiconductor industry and other advanced manufacturing, including nanotechnology, clean energy, quantum computing and artificial intelligence.
As part of the CHIPS Act, Congress appropriated $200 million in initial funding for this program.
Becoming a finalist also allows the Columbus-based C4C alliance to receive technical assistance to strengthen its plan.
C4C, according to its news release, is a public-private partnership comprising local leaders from businesses, nonprofit organizations, education and government in the Chattahoochee Valley of west Georgia and east Alabama.
“One of our community’s greatest strengths lies in its ability to bring together individuals from various backgrounds, fostering collaborative efforts that consistently produce outstanding work recognized on a national scale,” Retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Andy Hilmes, a consultant for C4C, said in the news release.
Moser noted the collaboration between the United Way and C4C “is an an incredible asset and benefits our entire region. We are grateful to so many community leaders and organizations, as well as local, state, and national officials, who are supporting this work.”
Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia considers this a historic opportunity for the Columbus area.
“This economic development designation and grant award position the Chattahoochee Valley to bid for one of the most significant programs we passed in last year’s economic development and infrastructure bills,” Ossoff said in the EDA’s news release. “. . . The United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley and its partners have been instrumental in getting us this far. Full steam ahead for Columbus and the region.”
CHIPS4Chips board members
Chairman Ben Moser, president and CEO of United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley.
Vice chairwoman Dionne Rosser-Mims, vice chancellor of Troy University-Phenix City
Betsy Covington, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley
Rodney Close, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley
Shaun Culligan, economic development manager for Phenix City
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. (retired) Patrick Donahoe, former commanding general of Fort Benning (now Fort Moore)
Melissa Gauntt, president and CEO of the East Alabama Chamber of Commerce
Pace Halter, president and COO of W.C. Bradley Real Estate
Jim Livingston, executive director of the River Valley Regional Commission
Robbie Raybon, head of acquisitions for Covey Equity
Stuart Rayfield, president of Columbus State University
Gwen Ruff, senior vice president of Columbus Water Works
Heath Schondelmayer, West Central Georgia and East Alabama division CEO for Synovus Bank, chairman of Columbus Development Authority and chairman of Columbus 2025
Will Thompson, East Alabama market president for Synovus Bank
George White, senior director of strategic partnerships for Georgia Tech
