“As a national center of semiconductor innovation, Hillsboro and Oregon are already home to one of the world’s leading clusters of semiconductor makers,” said Dan Dias, Economic & Community Development Director for the City of Hillsboro. “With perhaps the world’s top concentration of leading talent and expertise, it makes sense to work together to develop a pragmatic, academic, and industry-led applied research and development program to grow and maintain this advantage well into the future.”

Hillsboro was one of just five recipients who were chosen for a Business Oregon grant that supports Oregon’s 10-Year Innovation Plan. The Plan’s goal is to develop statewide centers that will support growth and development within industry sectors where Oregon has a competitive advantage. 

Anchored by Intel, Hillsboro has experienced a steady increase of semiconductor equipment suppliers and manufacturers who continue to expand and create jobs at diverse skill and education levels.   

With the establishment of the Semiconductor Center of Innovation Excellence, Oregon is positioning itself at the forefront of leading-edge technology that will advance the State’s competitive position in the semiconductor industry.  

“Hillsboro has a distinct opportunity to further develop and foster applied research,” said City of Hillsboro Mayor Steve Callaway. “Scaling of entrepreneurial and start up projects, and talent training is incredibly important for the equitable distribution of prosperity for all who live in the region.” 

The Center of Innovation Excellence is one of several innovation efforts currently underway in Hillsboro. 

National Science Foundation Regional Engines Initiative 

The City has also partnered with Oregon State University on the National Science Foundation Regional Engines Initiative. The initiative would aid in the formation of a collaborative partnership in the Pacific Northwest focused on semiconductor materials research, development, and implementation.

Additional partners in this effort include the University of Oregon, the University of Washington, Boise State University, and the Oregon Semiconductor Competitiveness Task Force. 

National Semiconductor Technology Center Hub

At the federal level, Oregon is in the hunt to be designated as one of the National Semiconductor Technology Center hubs. Each National Semiconductor Technology Center hub will focus on a specialized leading-edge technology that will advance the competitiveness of the semiconductor industry. 

These hubs will be a beehive of research and development activity and collaboration with industry partners from around the country and globe. The Oregon Delegation, led by Senator Ron Wyden, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, and Senator Jeff Merkley, are deeply committed to bringing this important National Semiconductor Technology Center Hub to Oregon. The impact of the Hub will result in new job creation, billions of dollars of new investment, as well as national and international recognition of Oregon’s superior semiconductor technology and workforce capabilities. 

These initiatives will collectively function to raise Oregon’s already elevated status in the global semiconductor ecosystem.