Dive Brief:
- Florida is investing in its semiconductor industry with $50 million in funding for the sector.
- The money will be used for two workforce development initiatives, with $25 million for the Florida Department of Commerce and $25 million for the state's Department of Education, according to an announcement for the funding.
- The funds will specifically help grow production, research and development and labor capacity for semiconductor manufacturing and advanced packaging within the military, defense and space industries.
Dive Insight:
Florida has a bustling chip industry, with 110 semiconductor establishments in the state as of last year, the third-highest in the nation according to the Semiconductor Industry Association. The state is also already home to a robust workforce in the sector, ranking fifth in the country with 13,080 jobs.
“By dedicating $50 million to expand our manufacturing capabilities, we are strengthening Florida’s supply chain and ensuring Florida maintains a strong economy that supports Florida families,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a statement.
Other entities in the state have also pushed for funding to help grow Florida's chip industry. The Osceola County Board of County Commissioners received $50.8 million in September 2022 as part of the Biden administration's Build Back Better Regional Challenge, using the funds to develop central Florida's semiconductor industry.
"The coalition will upgrade advanced manufacturing capabilities to expand research and production of customized semiconductor products, increase production efficiency, and boost education and workforce training," according to an announcement for the funding.
More than $36 million of that money went towards semiconductor manufacturer Skywater Technologies' advanced packaging facility in Osceola County, Florida.
The sector’s development is apparent with the opening of new chip facilities in the state. In March, chip manufacturer Micross Components opened a new semiconductor facility in Apopka, Florida.
