Micron Technology Expands U.S. Investments to $200 Billion Amid Semiconductor Initiative
Micron Technology has announced an expansion of its U.S. investments to approximately $200 billion, with $150 billion allocated for manufacturing activities. This move aligns with President Donald Trump's initiative to onshore semiconductor production and represents a $30 billion increase over the company's previous plans. The expansion includes building a second advanced memory fabrication plant in Boise, Idaho, and expanding facilities in Manassas, Virginia. Micron aims to fulfill rising market demand, retain its market share, and achieve its goal of producing 40% of its DRAM chips domestically. The investment will also support advanced packaging technologies crucial for high-bandwidth memory (HBM), heavily used in AI applications. In total, $50 billion of the investment will be allocated to research and development. This initiative positions Micron alongside other major tech firms like Nvidia, which has also committed large investments in U.S.-based AI infrastructure. Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, praised Micron's move as a vital advancement for the American AI ecosystem.
This expansion builds upon Micron's previous commitments, including a $15 billion investment announced in September 2022 to construct a new fab in Boise, Idaho, and a $100 billion plan revealed in October 2022 to build a megafab in Clay, New York.
In December 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce finalized a $6.165 billion subsidy for Micron under the CHIPS and Science Act to support these projects.
Micron Technology Inc. (MU) is currently trading at $120.16, reflecting a 4.56% increase from the previous close.
The CHIPS and Science Act, enacted in August 2022, authorizes approximately $280 billion in funding to boost domestic research and manufacturing of semiconductors in the United States. This includes $52.7 billion allocated specifically for semiconductor manufacturing and research.
Micron's substantial investment is expected to create approximately 20,000 jobs and help the U.S. grow its share of advanced memory chip manufacturing from less than 2% to approximately 10% by 2035.
The Trump administration has been renegotiating semiconductor grants issued under the CHIPS and Science Act to ensure they better serve American taxpayers. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick indicated that some grant arrangements were "overly generous" and are being revised, with potentially some deals being canceled.
Micron's investment is poised to bolster the U.S. semiconductor industry's capabilities, particularly in AI applications, by enhancing domestic production of high-bandwidth memory. The expansion reflects the interplay between corporate strategies and federal policies aimed at strengthening domestic semiconductor manufacturing. By increasing domestic production, Micron's investment contributes to reducing reliance on foreign manufacturers, thereby enhancing U.S. supply chain security.
Micron Technology's substantial investment signifies a pivotal moment in the U.S. semiconductor industry, aligning with national objectives to bolster domestic manufacturing and technological innovation. As the political landscape evolves, the success of such initiatives will depend on sustained support and strategic alignment between the private sector and government policies.