News: Microelectronics
10 April 2024
State Governor emphasizes commitment to Vermont’s V-GaN Tech Hub
Governor Phil Scott has reiterated his support for Vermont’s Tech Hub V-GaN by devoting resources to gallium nitride (GaN)-related activities in the State.
“This Tech Hub designation will expand Vermont’s expanding tech sector and introduce new and lucrative career opportunities for Vermonters,” says Governor Scott. “The State’s collaboration with industry and educational partners is an investment in the rural economy and our youth,” he adds.
An investment in GaN and GlobalFoundries announced in February as part of the US CHIPS and Science Act reinforces why the region was designated a Tech Hub by the US Department of Commerce, says Scott. GlobalFoundries’ Fab 9 plant in Essex Junction is already producing GaN chips in a limited capacity, and is poised to be the first to mass produce this technology in the Western hemisphere.
Building on that, the V-GaN Tech Hub features rapid development of chip design taking place at the University of Vermont and elsewhere, prototyping conducted at GlobalFoundries, and testing/characterization at a new lab at OnLogic.
“The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development and Vermont Department of Labor are working closely with the University of Vermont, the Vermont State Colleges, and GlobalFoundries to support V-GaN and to help it thrive,” Scott notes.
Examples of the State of Vermont’s commitments, collaboration and investments include:
- WORKFORCE: Vermont’s Employment Services will support employee recruitment, training and retention for V-GaN Tech Hub.
- COORDINATION: Direct coordination between Vermont’s Workforce Expansion Program and V-GaN.
- APPRENTICESHIP: Creation of the Registered Apprenticeship Program in partnership with the Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) to work with Tech Hub employers to target new occupations for apprenticeship.
- PREPARING STUDENTS: A summer professional development program for teachers on the development of new curriculum to support student learning with skills that support Tech Hub occupations.
- TRAINING AT GLOBALFOUNDRIES: The Vermont Training Program is prepared to award GlobalFoundries a $4.5m grant to train current and future employees for GaN semiconductor mass production.
- MARKETING: The State of Vermont is committing tens of thousands of dollars to help market the V-GaN Tech Hub.
More than 60 businesses, educational institutions and municipalities have already signed on to support and work with Vermont’s Tech Hub.
GlobalFoundries gains $1.5bn in CHIPS and Science Act funding
University of Vermont–GlobalFoundries consortium designated a Tech Hub
GlobalFoundries gains $35m US Government funding to accelerate 200mm GaN-on-Si chip production
GlobalFoundries awarded $30m in US funding for development and production of GaN-on-Si
