Intel's ambitious endeavor to boost the U.S. semiconductor industry by constructing a major chip manufacturing facility in Licking County, Ohio, has encountered a delay, moving beyond its initially anticipated completion date of 2025. 

Announced with fanfare in the fall of 2022, the project, dubbed Ohio One, represented a significant step towards onshoring chip production, with Intel at the helm of a projected $20 billion investment. However, as the project unfolds, it has become apparent that the original timeline was too optimistic.

The delay in the timeline comes despite Ohio's substantial financial commitment to the project, having allocated $600 million in onshoring grants to Intel. This state investment underscores the project's importance not only for Ohio's economy but also for national security and technological independence.

Dan Tierney, a spokesperson for Governor Mike DeWine, commented on the delay, stating, "Delays in projects this size and scale are not abnormal." He further clarified the state's position on the financial incentives, noting, "Ohio would only claw back incentives if Intel pulled the plug all together." 

The Ohio Department of Development, which awarded the onshoring grants, has set a deadline of 2028 for Intel to meet its commitments regarding job creation and investment. This extended timeline provides a cushion for Intel to navigate the challenges of constructing and operationalizing such a vast manufacturing operation.

Intel's pursuit of additional funding through the CHIPS and Science Act has been a focal point of the project's progress. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and J.D. Vance (R-OH) have advocated for the federal government to expedite the review of Intel's application for this funding. 

Senator Brown emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum, saying, "I'm not sounding an alarm that there are going to be delays. I'm just anticipating that we need to make sure this is a smooth, as rapid as possible, bunch of steps to get this plant up and running."

An Intel spokesperson reaffirmed the company's dedication to the Ohio project, stating they are "fully committed to the project" and "continuing to make progress." Despite not committing to a specific completion date, the spokesperson highlighted that construction could extend through 2027 based on the timelines of similar projects in the past.

This initiative by Intel, backed by significant state and anticipated federal support, is a critical component of a broader strategy to enhance the United States' semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, aiming to secure technological sovereignty and economic competitiveness on the global stage.

This news comes at an inopportune time when the country is at the cusp of the next Presidential election, and President Biden has been promoting the growth of domestic industries. So, will this project delay impact how Ohio votes in the next election?