In Orlando, innovation is our main attraction, and the advanced packaging of microelectronics is well within our wheelhouse.
SkyWater Technology, the only U.S.-owned and U.S.-based pure play semiconductor foundry, is coming to the Orlando region to officially operate Osceola County’s Center of NeoVation, including BRIDG.
The Minnesota-based company associated with semiconductors, integrated circuits and nanotechnologies has historically partnered with big-name powerhouse companies like Google. In this agreement approved by the Osceola County Commission and company officials, a new partnership will build and expand on current partnerships with BRIDG in NeoCity, including IMEC, Tokyo Electron Ltd. (TEL), Siemens and SÜSS MicroTec.
“This opportunity to collaborate with Osceola County encourages more customers to commence or resume work at the Center for Neovation,” said Thomas Sonderman, SkyWater president and chief executive officer.
“The Florida fab offers a complementary service model and technology platform to our Minnesota fab. We are very excited about the potential to extend SkyWater’s capabilities and to grow operations at both facilities.”
Thomas Sonderman, SkyWater President and Chief Executive Officer
The company will operate the facility for 20 years, creating up to 220 new, high-wage tech jobs including technicians, equipment engineers, and process engineers. BRIDG will remain as a non-profit partner to attract industry collaboration, while also fulfilling, and building upon, existing Department of Defense contracts.
“We are thrilled with SkyWater’s understanding of NeoCity’s goals to transform our economy with high-paying technology jobs. They have the specific expertise to advance the County’s objectives. We believe they have the capabilities to maximize our investment and continue the ground-breaking work BRIDG laid the foundation for over the last several years,” said Osceola Commission Chairman Brandon Arrington. “My thanks go out to the team that was able to bring this deal to a successful conclusion so quickly. We look forward to an exciting future with SkyWater as our vision for NeoCity continues forward.”
The agreement, which runs through October 2044, outlines shared goals including:
- Operating the Center of NeoVation to its full potential
- The resumption of BRIDG as a non-profit
- The investment of millions of dollars into NeoCity
- Applying for the proposed new Federal Advanced Packaging National Manufacturing Institute
- Creation of an estimated 220 jobs at the Center for NeoVation in the next five years
The partnership represents a bold new step toward elevating the Orlando region’s reputation and securing its role in the nation’s microelectronics supply chain.
“As a trusted semiconductor foundry, SkyWater’s decision to assume management of Osceola County’s Center for NeoVation at NeoCity marks a pivotal moment in developing our region’s technology industry,” said Tim Giuliani, Orlando Economic Partnership president and CEO. “As one of the world’s most versatile microelectronic fabrication facilities, the Center for NeoVation is positioned to fulfil its role as a catalyst for growth and its success will be transformative for the county, state and nation. In fact, it has the potential to repatriate semiconductor technologies for national security.”
“It is a significant step forward in accelerating the momentum of our region’s economic recovery and ensuring longer-term economic success in our nation.”
Tim Giuliani, Orlando Economic Partnership President and CEO
The Orlando Economic Partnership has long supported the vision to create one of the most advanced research and manufacturing labs in the world within the footprint of the Orlando region. Throughout the last decade, efforts to collaborate with our partners in higher education, government, and industry, that vision has now become a reality. As more customers look to develop technologies of the future, Orlando will be among the great tech economies in the U.S.
In 2014, Osceola County, University of Central Florida and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council entered into a partnership agreement to form BRIDG, a non-profit, public-private partnership to operate an advanced manufacturing center to focus on microelectronics. The purpose of BRIDG was to act as a catalyst to bring high-tech, high-wage jobs to Osceola County. Learn more about BRIDG here.
Congratulations to Osceola County, SkyWater and the entire community for this impressive and important win.
