Computer chip manufacturers are responding to pandemic-driven supply chain hurdles—as well as to state government incentives and federal funding allocated by the CHIPS and Science Act signed by President Biden in August—with projects to build plants and boost their U.S.-based production. Boise, Idaho-based semiconductor company Micron Technology Inc. is currently seeking contractors for its plan to build a “megafab” in central New York. The company says it intends to invest as much as $100 billion over 20 years in construction of semiconductor chip fabrication facilities at its Clay, N.Y., site. Micron's investment alone will increase the U.S. share of global chip production by about 500%, according to comments by Biden during an event in Syracuse.

The company is aiming to begin site preparation work in 2023. Construction of the first $6.4-billion, 7.2-million-sq-ft plant is planned for 2024, according to Dodge Construction Network data. Micron says it plans to use sustainable building attributes and pursue LEED Gold status for the facility.

A Micron spokesperson says any contractors interested in working on the project can visit the company’s suppliers page on its website, micron.com. The company aims to begin production at the plant before the end of the decade. Micron also started site work in September at the location of another future fab in Boise. Construction on the $15-billion project is anticipated to begin in early 2023.

Ford Motor Co.

Blue Oval City

Ford Motor Co.’s project to construct a $5.6-billion complex with electric vehicle and EV battery plants in Stanton, Tenn., is progressing with Detroit-based general contractor Walbridge. Structural steel has been erected at the 3,600-acre site. Ford has said it expects that between 5,000 and 6,000 construction workers will be involved in the project. The company aims to begin production in 2025. It will manufacture electric F-Series pickup trucks, as well as EV batteries in partnership with South Korea-based battery maker SK Innovation. Ford and SK are also building a pair of EV battery plants at a 1,500-acre site in Glendale, Ky. Southfield Mich.-based Barton Malow and Lexington, Ky.-based Gray Construction are constructing those facilities, with Ford estimating the cost of that project at $5.8 billion.

Hitachi Rail Limited

Maryland Train Plant

Ryan Companies is building Hitachi Rail’s $70-million train factory and test track on a 41-acre site in Washington County, Md. The concrete deck and most of the external concrete walls have been completed, according to the company. Once fully operational, the plant will be able to complete 20 railcars per month in a single shift. The factory is scheduled to open in early 2024. Hitachi says that it already has its first order for the manufacturing plant. It will produce about 256 railcars for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

The Sherwin-Williams Co.

Manufacturing Center

Cleveland-based paint manufacturer Sherwin-Williams recently broke ground on a $300-million project to expand its 200,000-sq-ft manufacturing facility in Statesville, N.C., the company announced. The project will also include construction of a new 800,000-sq-ft distribution and fleet transportation center, plus four new rail spurs at the same site. Atlanta-based Choate Construction is the project general contractor. According to Sherwin-Williams, the facility expansion will add millions of gallons of annual paint manufacturing capacity. The company expects the project to be completed by the end of 2024.