New Albany, OH – Three years after groundbreaking, Intel‘s planned $20 billion semiconductor manufacturing campus in Ohio remains unfinished and faces notable delays, raising concerns among local officials. Construction has dramatically slowed, and a newly completed AEP substation currently sits idle, awaiting power demand from the stalled project.The massive development,initially slated to begin production in 2025,is located just outside Johnstown in New Albany and Licking County.Johnstown Mayor Donald Barnard expressed diminished optimism regarding Intel’s commitment to building beyond the originally promised two fabrication plants (fabs). “There’s just a lot of unknown and I feel like Johnstown is left having to answer all the questions,” Barnard said. “The state has literally forgot about us and what they’ve done to us,and yet we get asked all the questions about Intel.”
New Albany Mayor sloan Spalding remains hopeful, acknowledging the original timeline was ambitious for a project of this scale. “I can’t wait to have the ribbon cutting at that facility,and know that through all the blood,sweat,and tears,if you will,that we were able to bring this manufacturing back to the united States,” Spalding stated.
licking County Commissioner Tim Bubb, initially enthusiastic about the project’s progress as farm fields transformed into construction sites, now voices frustration over the lack of fulfillment. While recognizing potential financial considerations for Intel, Bubb said, “The brakes have been tapped. We’re all waiting with bated breath to see what happens.” He anticipates a wait of at least five to six more years before the factories are completed.Intel announced plans for the ohio campus in early 2022, aiming to create thousands of jobs and bolster domestic chip production. The project represents a significant investment in U.S. manufacturing, but its future remains uncertain as the company navigates evolving market conditions and technological advancements.