U.S. Commerce Secretary Raimondo Outlines Vision for Implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act

Issues call to action to unite in driving technological progress and ensuring America’s global leadership

Yesterday (24 Feb 2023), U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo delivered a speech titled, “The CHIPS Act and a Long-term Vision for America’s Technological Leadership,” at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. In her remarks, Raimondo outlined the historic opportunity provided by the CHIPS and Science Act and the long-term goals she has set for the program to solidify America's technology and innovation leadership while protecting America’s economic and national security.

“Today, because of President Biden’s leadership, working with Congress, the CHIPS and Science Act presents us with an opportunity to make investments that are similarly consequential for our nation’s future,” said Secretary Raimondo. “But only if we—as a nation—unite behind a shared objective, generate a similar public-private mobilization and think boldly.”

Chips form the foundation of every advanced technology including the smartphone, cloud computing service, new cars, medical devices, and the weapons system we use today. The CHIPS Act allocated $39 billion for manufacturing incentives to encourage companies to build and expand.

During her remarks, Secretary Raimondo announced that next week the Commerce Department will launch its first application for CHIPS funding, focused on commercial manufacturing facilities. This money will incentivize companies to manufacture semiconductors here on American soil. The Department will also be releasing a funding opportunity for semiconductor materials and equipment facilities in the late spring, and one for research and development facilities in the early fall. These announcements will contain detailed guidance, processes, and timelines for organizations to apply for CHIPS incentives.

“I want the United States to be the only country in the world where every company capable of producing leading-edge chips will have a significant R&D and high-volume manufacturing presence,” said Raimondo. “I am here to issue a call to the private sector to get in the boat and row with us. We must produce CHIPS right here in America. It is America’s obligation to lead. We must push like no time before.”

The Secretary also announced that the Commerce Department will invest $11 billion to build a strong semiconductor R&D ecosystem to generate the ideas and the workforce needed to support these efforts. The heart of these investments will be the creation of the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC). The NSTC will be an ambitious public-private partnership where government, industry, customers, suppliers, educational institutions, entrepreneurs, and investors converge to innovate, connect, and solve problems.

CHIPS for America is going to create hundreds of thousands of good jobs that have the potential to change lives, offer family-sustaining benefits, and lead to long-term careers. Secretary Raimondo stressed the need for a trained workforce and the need for chip manufacturers, construction companies and unions to work toward the national goal of hiring and training another million women in construction over the next decade to meet the demand not just in chips, but other industries and infrastructure projects as well. She also called on semiconductor companies to work with high schools and community colleges to train 100,000 new technicians over the next decade through apprenticeships, career and technical education, and career pathway programs.

“If we don’t invest in America's manufacturing workforce, it doesn’t matter how much we spend,” said Raimondo. “We will not succeed. If we get this right, the U.S. semiconductor workforce will be the gold standard for other industries to follow.”

Visit CHIPS.gov to learn more about CHIPS for America. The website contains many helpful resources including webinars, the CHIPS Implementation Strategy, and the NSTC Update to the Community.