Laurie E. Locascio Director of NIST and the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology | Official Website
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a preliminary agreement with Infinera to support the development of semiconductor technology, a move aimed at enhancing communications and national security. The Department of Commerce and Infinera have signed a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) to provide up to $93 million in proposed funding under the CHIPS and Science Act. This funding is intended to bolster America’s semiconductor manufacturing industry by supporting the construction of new facilities in San Jose, California, and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Gina Raimondo, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “From artificial intelligence to electric vehicles to telecommunications infrastructure, 21st-century technologies all rely on optical semiconductors like the ones manufactured by Infinera.” She added that this investment aligns with the economic and national security goals outlined in the CHIPS and Science Act.
Infinera plans to significantly expand its domestic manufacturing capacity, potentially creating up to 1,700 jobs across both states. The company's photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are crucial for energy-efficient data transfer in optical network communications. Natalie Quillian, White House Deputy Chief of Staff, highlighted how this effort supports critical sectors such as artificial intelligence and telecommunications while fostering job creation.
Laurie Locascio from the National Institute of Standards and Technology noted that this investment would increase the supply of advanced communication technologies within the United States. David Heard, CEO of Infinera, expressed gratitude for bipartisan efforts supporting semiconductor fabrication in the U.S., emphasizing how these developments would secure supply chains against foreign competition.
Infinera has partnered with various labor unions and educational institutions to ensure workforce development for these projects. The company is committed to sustainable practices such as achieving 100% renewable energy by 2030 at all U.S. locations.
This announcement is part of broader efforts under CHIPS for America, which aims to revitalize communities through significant public investment in semiconductor technology.
