Intel moves project deadline back

Pat Gelsinger, Intel CEO, announced that the original project timeline to produce microchips in Ohio in 2025 has to be pushed back. 

Gelsinger said the company will shift its construction focus from its new build project in Ohio to a two semiconductor plant, also called fabs, expansion in Chandler, Ariz., where Intel has been manufacturing chips for over 40 years.

Despite the announcement, the company stressed the work in Ohio will still happen.

Intel’s New Albany site is the largest construction project in the history of Ohio. Intel plans to build eight fabs in four phases. 

Intel will invest roughly $100 billion in this project and the work will be performed under a National Construction Agreement, which is similar to a Project Labor Agreement. 

When the project was first announced, an estimated 7,000 jobs were expected to be created for union construction workers, including affiliated members of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council.

Union construction leaders stressed the project is still on and work remains ongoing at the site in Licking County.

“I don’t think anything has changed,” said Dorsey Hager, C/COBCTC Executive Secretary-Treasurer. “They have the land to build out four phases, and I believe they’ll do so.

“All our unions are geared up and ready to go,” added Hager. “We’re prepared to make the Intel job a success.”

Hager cautioned the future construction schedule will decipher what the peak workforce looks like. 

“Schedule will dictate manpower,” he said. “There’s now an opportunity to have upwards of 10,000 building trades members onsite.”

Hager feels this will allow tradesmen and tradeswomen more time to prepare for the peak employment period when thousands of workers will be onsite. 

Currently, crews are focused on pouring concrete. According to a Bechtel press release, the first phase spans 2.5 million square feet. 

On Sept. 25, The Dispatch reported the state awarded $600 million in incentives as part of the roughly $2 billion total state and local incentives package promised to Intel for selecting Ohio for the project.

The state also listed that Intel has either spent or committed $3 billion, so far, on the $100 billion project.