Dorsey Hager, Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer kicked off his monthly appearance on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast by discussing the Intel megaproject.
Last month, Intel was awarded another federal grant worth up to $3 billion as construction continues on the $28 billion project in Licking County.
Dorsey Hager, C/COBCTC Executive Secretary-Treasurer
The new round of funding is for the U.S. government’s Secure Enclave Program in which Intel will produce semiconductors for the military.
Hager told AWF host Ed “Flash” Ferenc that when the CHIPS Act was passed in 2022, the government realized that microchips, whether for cars, refrigerators, televisions or missile defense systems, needed to be made in the United States.
According to Hager, the first phase of the project should be completed and start producing chips by summer 2027. When all phases are complete, the total project cost will be around $100 billion.
“There’s a lot of career opportunities for members of the Columbus and Central Ohio Building Trades and building trades workers throughout the state to help build this and transform Central Ohio into the Silicon Heartland,” Hager said.
Hager told Ferenc that at peak construction there could be up to 10,000 workers onsite at Intel.
Intel also recently announced a new, multi-year, multi-billion-dollar partnership with Amazon Web Services.
America’s Workforce Radio Host Ed “Flash” Ferenc
Hager expects the partnership to be helpful for both parties. He also heard talk about Amazon building more datacenters in the near future.
“There’s going to be more and more opportunities for our members in Central Ohio,” Hager said.
Hager touched on Microsoft’s recent announcement of building a $460 million datacenter in New Albany.
“We know there will be more datacenters and more support buildings to follow,” Hager said. “We keep cranking it out here in Central Ohio as we keep stockpiling work and opportunities for our members.”
Preparing for the future
Ferenc mentioned how the Columbus population is expected to triple in the upcoming years and asked Hager how Central Ohio will prepare for it.
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission announced that the City of Columbus will grow by a million people by 2050.
Hager praised the Columbus City Council for the work they have done regarding affordable housing that will take place next year.
Hager finished the interview by celebrating Central Ohio and all the good things that are happening in the area.
“Good things are happening here in Columbus, and it’s not just the datacenters or Intel,” Hager said. “Our healthcare systems are expanding, there’s more hospitals and clinics being built, more regional ambulatory units being built and obviously a lot of schools, churches and office buildings.”
To listen to the full interview, click here.
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