The Office of the Governor of the State of Oregon

07/14/2026 | Press release | Archived content

7/14/2026: FAST Press Conference Remarks

FAST Press Conference Remarks

Thank you all for being here. Days like today are why I'm so confident in Oregon's future.

Oregon has always been at the heart of America's semiconductor industry. We are the Silicon Forest. We are the center of gravity for semiconductor manufacturing and research in the United States.

And today, that legacy gets even stronger.

Oregon, and Oregon State University as the lead institution, is the home of Frontiers of Advanced Semiconductor Technology, an initiative known as FAST. It's a broad consortium that includes nearly 100 partners from across the state.

Today's announcement of $160 million over the next 10 years from the National Science Foundation will jumpstart the state's semiconductor ecosystem into the next century.

I'm excited by this investment in FAST - and what it represents. This is the power of collaboration. This is what's possible when higher education, technology companies, nonprofits, government, and investors come together around a shared vision. When all these forces align, extraordinary things happen.

This investment matters because it will help bolster Oregon's advanced manufacturing ecosystem at a critical moment of evolution. Our research and development tax credits support semiconductor innovation. Our world-class research universities fuel exploration and development. Whether its legacy companies or startups looking to advance the field, Oregon is a place where this industry has a home.


Last year, I unveiled my Prosperity Roadmap - Oregon's strategy to accelerate Oregon's economic growth, create more living-wage jobs, and position Oregon as a global leader in advanced industries. Semiconductor investment is exactly the kind of high-impact, high-wage economic activity we're fighting for. When I learned about these funds being available, I connected with leaders to make sure our application showcased the very best parts of what FAST brings to the industry, and the promise that continued investment like this would bring for the future of the state and the advancements the whole nation has to offer to the rest of the world.

The challenges we face are real - global competition, supply chain complexity, workforce demands, and the constant evolution of technology. But Oregon has consistently demonstrated its resilience and ability to adapt and lead.

I firmly believe Oregon will shape the future of this industry. With our unmatched combination of technical expertise, manufacturing experience, world-class research institutions, and commitment to sustainable innovation, we are positioned to lead this industry for decades to come.

Thank you to the National Science Foundation and congratulations to everyone who made this investment possible. Let's keep building!

The Office of the Governor of the State of Oregon published this content on July 14, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 17, 2026 at 18:38 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]