Micron Technology to expand Manassas semiconductor plant

Published August 29, 2018 by Robert Powell, III

Micron Technology plans to invest $3 billion in expanding production at its Manassas semiconductor plant by 2030.

The move is expected to create 1,100 additional jobs during the next 10 years. The plant now employs about 1,500 people.

Micron is eligible to receive a state performance grant of $70 million for site preparation and facility costs. The grant is subject to approval by the Virginia General Assembly.

In addition to the plant expansion, the Micron Foundation said Thursday that it will establish a $1 million fund to support a variety of industry-related programs at Virginia colleges.

In the semiconductor plant project, initial expansion of its clean room is expected to be completed in the fall 2019 with a ramp-up in production during the first half of 2020.

Micron also will establish a research and development center in Manassas for the development of memory and storage solutions.

The R&D center, which will include laboratories and test equipment, will employ approximately 100 engineers. 

“Micron's Manassas site manufactures our long-lifecycle products that are built using our mature process technologies, and primarily sold into the automotive, networking and industrial markets,” Micron President and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra said in a statement. “

He added that these products are used in a variety of applications such as industrial automation, drones and IoT (Internet of Things).

“Micron's expansion in the City of Manassas represents one of the largest manufacturing investments in the history of Virginia and will position the commonwealth as a leader in unmanned systems and Internet of Things,” Gov. Ralph Northam said in a statement. “This $3 billion investment will have a tremendous impact on our economy by creating 1,100 high-demand jobs, and solidifies Micron as one of the Commonwealth's largest exporters.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) worked with the City of Manassas and the General Assembly's Major Employment and Investment (MEI) Project Approval Commission to secure the project.

In addition to the state grant from the commonwealth, Manassas and utility companies are expected to provide a support package for the expansion, including infrastructure upgrades and other incentives.

The $1 million foundation fund will support programs in the area of clean-room and nanotechnology labs, unmanned and autonomous automotive systems, robotics, big data, embedded systems and networking applications.

Faculty members, program directors and student groups from universities and community colleges in the commonwealth will be eligible.

With a focus on women and underrepresented minorities, programs that support low income and first-time college student programs will also receive special consideration.