Micron Initiates Construction on Memory Manufacturing Fab

Micron Technology, Inc. celebrates the start of construction on the nation’s first new memory manufacturing fab in 20 years.

Company executives will join Idaho Governor Brad Little, Boise Mayor Lauren McLean, other community partners and team members to mark the milestone with a ceremonial concrete pour at Micron’s Boise, ID, HQs on the 45^th anniversary of the company’s founding.

Just over a year ago, Micron announced its plans to invest approximately $15 billion through the end of the decade to construct a new fab for memory manufacturing, to be co-located with the company’s R&D epicenter in its hometown of Boise. Through the lifespan of the project, Micron will directly infuse $15.3 billion into the Idaho economy and directly spend $13.0 billion with Idaho businesses. The project will create over 17,000 new Idaho jobs, including 2,000 direct jobs, furthering the need for a diverse, highly skilled workforce.

Boise is home to Micron’s corporate HQs, its newly expanded technology innovation center of excellence and the only DRAM R&D fabrication facility in North America. Nearly 2/3 of fiirm’s patents are generated from Boise team members – at a rate of more than 3 patents per day. Co-locating the memory manufacturing fab is expected to provide multiple strategic benefits for the company and the US semiconductor industry at large as Micron continues to drive industry leadership.

“We are laying the foundation for Micron’s future and charting a path for revitalized US high-tech manufacturing – just a year since we first broke ground here in Boise,” said president and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra. “As I reflect on the opportunity ahead, I value all of the incredible Micron team members, who over the last 45 years, have contributed to driving record-breaking innovations and making the Boise community the remarkable place that it is today. Our investments here and in New York will secure domestic memory production in the US, meeting the advanced applications of the future’s demands for the vast amounts of memory required for fast and efficient storage and processing.“

The Idaho Community Investment Framework, which reflects the shared priorities Micron and its partners have identified to lead inclusive growth across the state, was formalized in May 2023 alongside Governor Little and Mayor McLean. Micron announce its plans to invest $75 million over the next 10 years toward the Idaho community and workforce development priorities formalized earlier this year. In support of the Community Investment Framework, the State of Idaho and the City of Boise will recognize state and local efforts to bolster the success of new manufacturing in the state.

“On the 45^th anniversary of this iconic Idaho company’s founding, it’s a pleasure to celebrate the start of construction on the largest private investment ever made in our state,” said Governor Little. “Micron is building the foundation for its next decades here in Idaho – with its new fab and its $75 million commitment to the priorities formalized in the Community Investment Framework. Micron and the State of Idaho have a long-standing partnership, and I’m looking forward to our continued cooperation as we pursue a shared goal of further developing Idaho’s motivated and capable workforce.“

The firm is dedicated to effective and creative workforce development solutions that make careers in the semiconductor industry accessible to all. Decades of investment in Idaho’s workforce have driven the innovation that sets company apart as a technology leader.

“Today’s announcement of Micron’s $75 million investment in support of the goals set out in the Community Investment Framework is just the latest example of Micron enhancing and elevating the incredible community we’re proud to call home,” said Mayor McLean. “In aiming to achieve 100% water reuse, recycling and restoration, as well as use 100% renewable electricity at the new facility, Micron’s leadership in keeping Boise a place we can all thrive shines through. The City of Boise and Micron are long-standing partners, and we’re excited for the next 45 years.“

Clean-room space in the new fab is expected to come online in phases starting in 2025, with DRAM production ramping over the second half of the decade in line with industry demand growth. Ultimately, the clean-room space will reach 600,000 square feet – the size of approximately 10 US football fields, and at its completion, the largest single clean-room ever built in the country.

This Idaho investment plans will be enabled by the anticipated grants and credits provided by the CHIPS and Science Act, which allows projects like Micron’s to start construction in the US and be cost-competitive with the rest of the world. The manufacturer filed applications for its Idaho and New York projects with the US Department of Commerce’s CHIPS Program Office in August 2023.