Oregon Governor Makes Move to Attract Semiconductor Research Hub into State Boundaries
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has honed in on a parcel of 373 acres of farmland north of Hillsboro for the planned expansion of the urban growth boundary giving the state a chance of attracting a semiconductor research hub worth nearly $1 billion in federal funding.
Executive Powers Overlook Land-Use Laws
The Governor is using her executive powers for major projects to overlook existing land use laws. The introduction of Senate Bill 4 allows the governor to side-step land-use powers until the end of 2024.
The bill paves the way for Oregon to entice the multi-million-dollar semiconductor industry into the state.
The bill enables Kotek to expand urban growth boundaries if adequate land is unavailable for major semiconductor and advanced manufacturing projects.
The state’s economic development arm, Business Oregon, posted the proposal online showing that Kotek is concentrating on the parcel of land abutting Washington state that could be used to expand a NSTC-backed semiconductor research center.
Business Oregon did not reveal a detailed description or a map of the area but said more details will be released next month.
Farmland owners have been requesting that their land be incorporated into the urban growth boundary as this will increase the value of their property.
Intel’s Hillsboro Expansion Plans
It is public knowledge that Intel wants the Hillsboro urban growth boundary to be expanded to spread its own operations. Intel has already spent $3 billion to expand its existing D1X facility.
Both Intel and Oregon Senator Ron Wyden have urged Kotek to incorporate up to 1,700 acres within the Hillsboro urban growth boundary for a new research center that could receive $1 billion in federal funding.
Last year, according to filings with state regulators, it was reported that Intel was planning major upgrades to its Hillsboro research facilities, spread across five years. The expansion program will place Oregon at the heart of the semiconductor technology development industry.
Public Meeting Next Month
In terms of Senate Bill 4 which expires at the end of 2024, Kotek must have a public meeting to discuss the proposal and give 20 days for comment before she can issue an executive order for the go-ahead of the urban growth boundary expansion.
The public hearing takes place on October 10 at 6 p.m. in the Hillsboro Civic Center, according to Business Oregon.