IN: State Launches Semiconductor Industry Task Force to Leverage Advanced Manufacturing Expertise

During the inaugural Indiana Global Economic Summit last week, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) joined industry leaders and stakeholders from around the state to announce the launch of the Accelerating Microelectronics Production & Development (AMPD) task force. AMPD, created to bolster the state’s efforts to become the leading state in the semiconductor industry, will accelerate and support microelectronics research and innovation in Indiana by securing commercial semiconductor and federal funding opportunities. 

“Indiana has a deep advanced manufacturing DNA and capitalize on this important industry of the future,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers. “In the coming years, the AMPD task force is focused on supporting this critically important industry in the state.” 

Comprised of industry experts, Indiana’s leading universities and public institutions, AMPD will leverage Indiana’s advantages to attract significant investments by connecting semiconductor companies with local resources and assets, including skilled talent, prime real estate and competitive investment packages. The IEDC has seeded the initiative with $2.7 million of state funding for the task force to design and execute a strategic outreach and marketing plan to secure commitments from established sector leaders and disruptive companies over the next two years to create a vibrant cluster in Indiana.

Sec. Chambers and Jimmy Costa, senior vice president of innovation and semiconductor strategy for the IEDC, will lead the taskforce to provide leadership and insight. Prior to joining the IEDC, Costa worked for Analog Devices Inc., where he was responsible for the global engagement with a large strategic customer. He began his career as a design engineer for Delphi Automotive Systems before moving into multiple positions within the overall semiconductor ecosystem, including business development, account management and design services. Costa’s expertise will cement Indiana’s focus on becoming a leader in the international microelectronics landscape.

Other task force members include:

• Ajit Manocha, CEO, SEMI
• Alan Seabaugh, director, Notre Dame Nanoscience and Technology
• Amy Schumacher, CEO, The Heritage Group
• Dave Roberts, executive vice president of entrepreneurship and innovation, IEDC
• Dr. Scott Kirkpatrick, associate professor of physics and optical engineering, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
• George Scalise, CEO of George Scalise Semiconductor Innovation Center and former SIA president;
• Joe Carley, director of economic development, Indiana University
• Kenneth Johnson, executive vice president, Hunt construction Group;
• Mark Lewis, executive director of the Emerging Technology Institute;
• Mark Lundstrom, professor of electrical and computer engineering, Purdue University;
• Rich Ravas, industry veteran consultant and former Global Chief Engineer, Delphi Electronics
• Sue Smith, vice president of technology and applied science, Ivy Tech Community College
• Todd Hillman, senior vice president and chief customer officer, Midcontinent Independent System Operator.

Additionally, two leading global strategic consulting groups have been retained to ensure AMPD is equipped with the best information and strategy for engaging the industry.

Indiana’s strengths in logistics and advanced manufacturing combined with collaboration between its world-class businesses, research universities, philanthropic institutions and government entities allows the state to have advantages over competing states. Indiana also has an established ecosystem for semiconductor research and the state’s centralized manufacturing hub and strong semiconductor supply chain makes the state ideal for this type of investment.