In The News

Chip plants are moving in— are local communities ready?

Fast Company

April 27, 2023

CSET was featured in an article published by Fast Company discussing the American chip industry and the federal government's plan to provide billions to semiconductor manufacturers to establish their next factories in the U.S.

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CSET was featured in an article published by Fast Company discussing the American chip industry and the federal government’s plan to provide billions to semiconductor manufacturers to establish their next factories in the United States. CSET’s Jacob Feldgoise provided expert insight on the situation. In addition, the article cited a report authored by CSET’s Will Hunt.

“If I was in the position of a local official working in one of these towns where a fab is going to be located, I would be working to make sure that the company knows who to talk to,” Feldgoise said.

Feldgoise also addressed steps that need to be taken due to the fabs’ huge carbon footprint. “The plants can be environmentally polluting. The process of receiving the permit is long and difficult. There are lots of potential conflicts. That could become difficult for local leaders or will require them to make trade-offs and decide where to prioritize their constituents and where to prioritize the economic development that comes from these facilities.”

The article cited a February 2022 report by Will Hunt that assesses the occupations and backgrounds that will be most in-demand among new fabs, as well as options for ensuring availability of the necessary talent.

Read the full article in Fast Company.

Reshoring Chipmaking Capacity Requires High-Skilled Foreign Talent

 February 2022

CHIPS for America Act funding will result in the construction of new semiconductor fabrication facilities (“fabs”) in the United States, employing tens of thousands of workers. This policy brief assesses the occupations and backgrounds that will be most in-demand among new fabs, as well as options for ensuring availability of the necessary talent. Findings suggest the need for new immigration pathways for experienced foreign fab workers, and investments in workforce development.

Jacob Feldgoise

 April 2020

Jacob Feldgoise is a Data Research Analyst focused on U.S.-China technology competition, China’s foreign influence, and emerging technologies talent flows.

Will Hunt

 September 2020

Will Hunt is on leave from his role as a Research Analyst. He is currently a Special Advisor for Policy at the U.S. Department of Commerce under an Interdepartmental Personnel Act agreement with CSET.