High-tech manufacturers are eyeing Nebraska for a potential project that could bring thousands of jobs and a new industry to the state.
With billions in federal aid up for grabs, the semiconductor industry has renewed resources to expand in the United States. And with recently passed state legislation, Nebraska is beckoning manufacturers to the Cornhusker State.
A group of semiconductor companies is considering sites in Fremont and the Omaha area for a project called Silicon Heartland, which would develop a “technology cluster” of manufacturers that project leaders say would benefit from working with one another.
Semiconductors, sometimes referred to as microchips, are important pieces of tech that serve as a foundation for computers and other electronic devices.
Lincoln firm makes Time list of top 100 companies
Congress last year passed a $280 billion package to boost the semiconductor industry and scientific research in a bid to create more high-tech jobs in the United States and help it better compete with international rivals, namely China.
People are also reading…
Recently passed state legislation offers incentives for semiconductor firms looking to build in Nebraska. The state has also allocated $20 million for training programs related to the semiconductor industry.
Though Nebraska is being considered for the Silicon Heartland project, the group is still not set on a location, said Trent Overhue, chairman of the board of directors of Nantero Inc., which is one of several companies behind Silicon Heartland.
“Right now Nebraska is definitely in the running, but we are looking at several different side options,” Overhue said. “Most likely, we’d look at multiple areas in the metro area, Fremont being one of them.”
If the project moves forward, Overhue estimates between 1,500 and 3,000 jobs could be created through Silicon Heartland.
“I would think it would change the trajectory of the state,” Overhue said. “Meaning that this would be kind of the foundation of something that could grow into truly one of the largest industries of this state relatively quickly.”
The Nebraska native listed North Omaha and Bellevue as potential sites but said it’s too early to disclose any specific locations.
“I don’t think we would build everything in one community,” Overhue said. “Some of these projects are very large so we would spread them out regionally where there’s more resources.”
Among the multiple factors to consider are utility constraints.
Silicon Heartland would contribute to an “unprecedented” spike in energy generation that the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) is expecting to see in coming years.
In 2022, the industrial class made up about 36% of the utility provider’s energy sales. That share is expected to rise to 57% by 2032.
Overhue said the group has been in talks with OPPD.
While possible sites in the Omaha metro haven’t been disclosed, the project’s potential location in Fremont is more concrete.
In 2021, state legislation was passed to allow for the creation of an inland port authority, which gives certain bureaucratic powers to a designated district such as funding and site development, and is meant to develop large industrial sites and attract new business to the state.
Earlier this year, a 1,500-acre site near Fremont was designated as one of the first Municipal Inland Port Authorities in Nebraska.
The inland port is still in its infancy stages of development, and preparing land, utilities and securing projects for a potential semiconductor cluster could take years, former Gov. Dave Heineman, chairperson of the Fremont Municipal Inland Port Authority Board, told the Fremont Tribune.
Every piece of the Silicon Heartland project, whether in Fremont or Omaha, will be subject to approval from the involvement from the federal CHIPS act, Overhue said.
The CHIPS Act was signed into law by President Joe Biden in August 2022. The bill provides more than $52 billion in grants and other incentives for the semiconductor industry as well as a 25% tax credit for those companies that invest in chip plants in the United States.
Overhue said the Silicon Heartland group expects to apply for the federal program sometime this summer and predicts awards will be made in late 2023 or early 2024.
In 2022, President Joe Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act into law. Engadget reports that CHIPS has made $52 billion in tax credits and funding available to bolster the United States’ semiconductor industry.
Father’s Sioux City law firm merges with daughter’s Omaha firm
Dunkin’ location in Lincoln has closed
Top Journal Star photos for June 2023

A’rielle Harvell (bottom), 5, slides down an inflatable water slide next to her sisters, Yahkira Harvell (top), 4, and Samirah Graham, 13, on Monday in central Lincoln. The temperature in Lincoln reached 96 on Monday and was in the 90s again on Tuesday. The National Weather Service is forecasting highs in the 90s and mostly sunny conditions for at least the next week.

David Campbell, a recent graduate from Union college’s international rescue and relief program, climbs and repels from a tree alongside Mike Mikler (not pictured) on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at Holmes Lake Park in Lincoln.
The duo, who had earlier created a giant swing, said they were climbing the trees for fun and practice. The program for International rescue and relief is a bachelor of science degree designed for students who want to serve and help others in disaster and humanitarian relief.

Southeast Community College Professor Michael Mellon teaches anatomy of the human brain to his class Tuesday in Lincoln. A change to community college funding in Nebraska will result in higher property taxes to support SCC next year, but officials say a tax credit will offset those increases.

Crane removal equipment sits on Q St. between North 9th and 10th St. temporarily closing the section of Q until June 23rd, Monday, June 19, 2023, in Lincoln.

Malone Ribbon Dancers, including Maisey Ratliff, 8, dance during Lincoln’s Juneteenth celebration Saturday at Trago Park.

Scott Copeland (Left) and Donnette Thayer (right) play Irish folk music with friends during the Hub Farmers Market at Union Plaza park on Wednesday. The markets are Wednesdays, from 5-7 p.m., through Sept. 20.

Open Harvest employees shovel gravel at the Open Harvest ground breaking in the Telegraph District, Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Lincoln.

Dynasty Volleyball players Abigail Mullen (bottom left), Reese Messer (left), Claire Cisneros (top right), and Skyler Pierce (right) share snacks and stories with one another as they rest on the catwalk overlooking the volleyball courts ahead of their next match during the Midwest PreNationals tournament on Friday, June 9, 2023, at the Sports Pavilion Lawrence in Lawrence.

Fisherman Salem Alsareni, catches a 24 inch carp, weighing in at six and a half pounds at Holmes Lake, Monday, June 12, 2023, in Lincoln.

Angela Gebhardt walks next to Star City Chorus during the Star City Pride Parade Saturday at the Nebraska state Capitol.

Foster Care Closet employee Brooke Horton lifts boxes of diapers onto the bus before departing for Norfolk on Friday.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln chancellor candidate Rodney Bennett answers questions from students and staff who are part of the College of Law on Thursday at the Office of the President.

Terrance McIntyre gets his hair cut by Treveon Phinney at 402 Fades Barber Shop on Thursday at Gateway Mall.

Eliana Athena Vargas Smith, 2, plays in the fountain at Union Plaza park on Wednesday, when temperatures reached 88 degrees in Lincoln.

Children extend their arms outward as they reach for bubbles to pop during a family fun night ice cream party on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at the Charles H. Gere Branch Library in Lincoln.

Harper Trumble (top right) dances with her cousin Keegan VanDeWater (right) while Alexis Arai y Su Grupo perform as part of the Jazz in June concert series on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at in the Sheldon Sculpture Garden at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Lincoln. The first performers for Jazz in June drew a sizable crowd on Tuesday. The free concert series, held each Tuesday in June, will feature two sets of music from 7-7:45 p.m. and 8-8:45 p.m. Beyond the performances, the series will include education outreach coordinated by community centers and artists. A market offered food and drinks to hungry patrons. And a bike Valet will provided free, secure parking for bicycles from 5 p.m. until the end of the performance in the market.

The Rev. T. Michael Williams signs the petition to repeal LB753 during Support our Schools Nebraska petition drive kickoff at the state Capitol on Tuesday.

Mia Masch, 5, has her hair adjusted by her father Ian while his pet parrot Mango rests atop his shoulder during an animal blessing ceremony at First-Plymouth Church.

Shriner clowns cover their hearts for the invocation before the Nebraska Shrine Bowl on Saturday at Cope Stadium in Kearney.

A rainbow is seen near Ralston High School stadium during the Nebraska High School Soccer Senior Showcase on Friday.

Grace Jacobson of Lincoln holds a rainbow umbrella over a coffin prop in front of the Governor’s Mansion on Thursday, the final day of the legislative session.

Nikita (black) jumps into the dog pool as Pearl chases after her at Off Leash Dog Bar on Wednesday.

Lincoln East’s Carter Mick (10) poses for portrait , Monday, May 29, 2023, in Lincoln.
Rebecca Rager greets her grandfather Alfred Zieg (from left) during a celebration before his birthday on Wednesday, in the Gramercy dining room on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at The Residence at Gramercy in Lincoln. ‘It has been a life for sure,” Alfred Zieg said during the celebration. “And on Wednesday I get to start all over again, right?”

Muggs, a 6 year-old chocolate lab fetches his toy from the water following his dive on Saturday at Paws 4 Fun in Lincoln.

Fire fighters clear out hot debris pulled off of 411 Mulder Dr home after alert two back yard fire, Friday, May 26, 2023, in Lincoln.
This report includes material from the Associated Press.