Eliza Duckworth
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow, both of Michigan, announced Monday that Hemlock Semiconductor (HSC) will receive up to $325 million in federal funding to build a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility on its existing campus in Hemlock, in Saginaw County, Michigan.
The new facility will allow the company to expand production of hyper-pure polysilicon needed to manufacture semiconductor chips, which are used to make a wide variety of products including vehicles, cell phones, washing machines, medical devices, agricultural equipment, solar panels, and defense technologies.
The funding comes from the CHIPS and Science Act, legislation Peters and Stabenow helped craft and pass into law to lessen dependence on foreign companies for these critical technologies. This investment is expected to create 180 good-paying manufacturing jobs, as well as thousands of construction jobs, in Michigan, according to the press release from the Senators’ office.
Hemlock Semiconductor (HSC) is the nation’s leading producer of hyper-pure polysilicon for the semiconductor and solar industries and one of only five companies in the world capable of producing the highest quality polysilicon for semiconductor chips.
“In Michigan, our workers know how to make things well and with precision. That’s why I’m thrilled to announce this major investment that is going to keep Michigan at the forefront of advanced manufacturing, nationally and globally, and create thousands of good-paying jobs in our state,” said Peters. “As one of just five companies worldwide and the only company headquartered in the U.S. that produces hyper-pure polysilicon for semiconductors, Hemlock Semiconductor plays a critical role in both our economy and national security.”
“Michigan knows all too well what happens when we are dependent on semiconductor chips made halfway around the world. That’s why, as part of the CHIPS and Science Act, I led the effort with Senator Peters and Representative Kildee to make sure semiconductor chips are manufacturing here in the United States and there is no better place to make them than Michigan. This important federal investment will boost Michigan manufacturing, fix our broken supply chains, lower costs, and bring jobs home,” said Senator Stabenow. “I applaud Hemlock Semiconductor’s leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and improving our supply chains.”
“HSC is proud to be a manufacturing powerhouse for two vital industries of the future—semiconductor and solar. Bolstered by the CHIPS Act, we are planning for a once-in-a-generation investment in advanced technologies to continue serving as a top polysilicon supplier to the leading-edge semiconductor market,” said HSC Chairman and CEO AB Ghosh. “Our customers want high quality and sustainably made polysilicon. This proposed investment demonstrates that the Biden-Harris Administration, Governor Whitmer and our Michigan congressional champions understand HSC’s unique ability to meet those demands and our crucial role in strengthening American interests. As the United States works to reshore critical supply chains, we hope to make additional investments.”
The CHIPS and Science Act includes a provision Peters and Stabenow authored to support the domestic production of mature semiconductor technologies and ensure that projects supporting critical manufacturing industries are given priority status, which would include the automotive sector.
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