Licking Today

Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted said the Biden administration has failed to deliver any CHIPS Act funding to Intel's $28 billion semiconductor project in Ohio, despite celebrating the law's passage two years ago. Husted warned that while China invests billions in its chip industry, America is falling behind due to a lack of federal leadership.

“Two years ago this month, Joe Biden visited Ohio to celebrate the CHIPS Act & the Intel expansion Ohio had already secured. Since then, not a single penny from the CHIPS Act has been delivered to Intel for any U.S. project,” Husted wrote in a Sept. 23 social media post on X. “China continues to invest billions in its chip industry, while the Biden administration fails to lead & America falls behind.”

Intel is planning to invest more than $28 billion to aid in the development of two state-of-the-art chip factories in Ohio, aimed at increasing production to meet the growing demand for advanced semiconductors. These facilities will power a new wave of innovative Intel products while also catering to the needs of their foundry customers.

The "mega-site," located on nearly 1,000 acres in New Albany, Licking County, just outside Columbus, has the capacity to support up to eight chip factories, along with associated operations and ecosystem partners.

The CHIPS and Science Act aims to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing, enhance supply chain resilience, create jobs, and support research and development, according to a fact sheet from the White House. It allocates significant federal investment to incentivize the production of semiconductors in the U.S., countering reliance on foreign supply, particularly from China. The act also emphasizes innovation in science and technology sectors, addressing challenges in the economy and positioning the U.S. as a leader in advanced technology manufacturing.

According to his official bio page, Jon Husted was adopted and raised in Northwest Ohio's Williams County. He grew up with a strong foundation in faith, family, and hard work. After excelling as an All-American defensive back and earning advanced degrees from the University of Dayton, Husted contributed to economic development as vice president at the Dayton-Area Chamber of Commerce. 

Husted's tenure as Secretary of State was marked by significant improvements in business processes, including reducing start-up costs and eliminating office fees, saving taxpayers millions. As House Speaker, he championed Ohio’s most conservative budget in decades with a historic income tax cut. Elected Lt. Governor in 2018, Husted continues to balance his public service with his roles as a husband to his wife Tina and father to their three children.