Purdue-led project awarded $5 million to develop local semiconductor presence

Lafayette Journal & Courier
·3 min read

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. − In preparation of the promising local workforce growth in the semiconductor manufacturing industry, a Purdue University-led project has been awarded $5 million through a Greater Lafayette economic development initiative.

According to Purdue, the university partnered on a Greater Lafayette Commerce proposal that included over 40 regional projects designed with the semiconductor industry in mind. Specifically, with the attraction and retainment of semiconductor workforces through the state of Indiana’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative, or READI project, in mind.

In December 2021, the Greater Lafayette region was awarded $30 million from the state's overall $500 million READI fund. This allocation was approved by the Indiana General Assembly in its 2021 session, according to Purdue.

Purdue University President-elect Mung Chiang, pictured, says Greater Lafayette is poised to become a driver in creating a “hard-tech corridor” that leverages the region’s promising growth in the semiconductor manufacturing industry. Greater Lafayette Progress announced that Purdue will lead a $5 million effort to support the expected regional workforce demand for nanofabrication manufacturing.

Purdue and Greater Lafayette officials have announced how the seven regional READI projects would share the $30 million in funding, including $5 million for the Purdue-Ivy Tech Community College partnership on the Semiconductors Workforce Development Project.

According to this project's description, "(this project serves) to develop the talent pipeline of high school and college students and increase technician and engineer training to support the region’s semiconductor industry."

Additionally, $7 million will be put towards "building infrastructure to support a passenger terminal at Purdue University Airport to help bring commercial air service back to Greater Lafayette."

President-elect's comments

Mung Chiang, president-elect of Purdue University, commented on the future of these READI projects and what they will bring to the Greater Lafayette area.

“We are immensely proud to be a part of the Greater Lafayette community and to continue to contribute to its vibrancy,” Chiang said in the release. “We thank the READI board and the outstanding READI program by Gov. (Eric) Holcomb and IEDC (Indiana Economic Development Cororation) that provides a key opportunity for economic growth. This region, that includes Tippecanoe County, is well poised to become an engine in creating the ‘hard-tech corridor’ of our state.”

SkyWater Technology

Purdue President Mitch Daniels, thanks SkyWater Technology for choosing Purdue University to open its $1.8 billion state-of-the-art semiconductor manufacturing facility in Discovery Park District at Purdue University, on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, in West Lafayette.
Purdue President Mitch Daniels, thanks SkyWater Technology for choosing Purdue University to open its $1.8 billion state-of-the-art semiconductor manufacturing facility in Discovery Park District at Purdue University, on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, in West Lafayette.

In July, SkyWater Technology announced its plans to invest $1.8 billion in a major semiconductor manufacturing facility in Discovery Park District at Purdue. This development is expected to create around 1,000 jobs for the area at various ranges of salaries.

"...350 technicians and manufacturing employees earning $60,000 a year; 200 operations engineering and facilities, maintenance, and tech support positions at annual salaries of $100,000; and 200 research and development engineering, technology development and management positions earning $130,000 a year," the release said in regards to the projected job opportunities from SkyWater's new facility.

Mark Lundstrom, interim dean of Purdue’s College of Engineering, commented on the partnership with Ivy Tech to further develop the semiconductor industry in the Greater Lafayette area.

“Purdue is delighted to deepen our collaboration with Ivy Tech to create and implement semiconductor workforce development programs that will benefit the entire Greater Lafayette region,” Lundstrom said in the release. “With semiconductor companies and their suppliers and service providers, the resulting economic impact in the region will be immense and this will only be possible with a talent pipeline that includes high school graduates, skilled technicians with AS degrees, and engineers with BS, MS and PhD degrees.”

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: The semiconductor workforce is being developed by Purdue and Ivy Tech