Micron Technology has unveiled plans to invest up to $2.17 billion in expanding its semiconductor manufacturing plant in Manassas, Virginia. The expansion aims to bolster production of DRAM products for automotive, defense, aerospace, and industrial sectors, creating approximately 340 new jobs in the region.
Federal Support Boosts Expansion Efforts
The U.S. Department of Commerce has signed a preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) with Micron to provide up to $275 million in federal subsidies for the project under the CHIPS Act. This funding will enable the onshoring of Micron’s advanced 1-alpha process technology, significantly increasing the plant’s wafer production capacity.
While details about the specific scale of production have not been disclosed, industry insights suggest that the expansion may focus on DRAM products with lower production volumes that do not require cutting-edge extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment. Instead, the investment is expected to include multiple deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machines, which cost between $30 million and $50 million each.
Broader Investments Targeting U.S. Memory Manufacturing
This Virginia expansion is part of Micron’s broader effort to enhance U.S.-based memory manufacturing. The company also plans to invest $100 billion in New York and $25 billion in Idaho to increase DRAM capacity. These initiatives aim to raise the U.S. share of advanced memory manufacturing from less than 2% to over 10% by 2035, underscoring Micron’s commitment to strengthening domestic semiconductor production.
