Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. is expected to double its spending to $44 billion on U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and research, which is now centered in Taylor and Northeast Austin.
That’s according to a report by international news agency Reuters, which cited two people familiar with the details. The South Korean Samsung is already spending $17 billion or more on an advanced manufacturing foundry and research facility in Taylor as a second part of its long-running Samsung Austin Semiconductor operation.
The report did not make clear if the increased spending by the company would be in Taylor, Austin or a third location. Samsung has more than 1,200 acres in Taylor, and more than 600 acres in Austin to allow for future growth. Tax breaks have been approved by Williamson County, the city of Taylor and Taylor Independent School District for those possible expansions.
This comes as the U.S. Department of Commerce is poised to announce a grant of more than $6 billion to Samsung to encourage the enterprise of making vital advanced semiconductors on U.S. soil for the sake of national security and ensuring a supply for everything from military technology to consumer goods.
One of Reuters’ sources said the federal government could make the announcement next week.
Spokespeople for Samsung and the Commerce Department’s CHIPS for America Program did not respond to requests for comment by press time.
The CHIPS program of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology manages the $52 billion in funding created by the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, including $39 billion in manufacturing incentives.
The Taiwanese TSMC is expected to receive about $5 billion from the federal government and Intel is said to be seeking about $10 billion in federal grants and loans.
