Osceola County Seals Deal with SkyWater Technology to Operate Cent...
Published on January 25, 2021
PR21-13
Osceola County Seals Deal with SkyWater Technology to Operate Center for NeoVation
New Partner Ideally Positioned to Expand BRIDG’s Work at NeoCity
Osceola County, Florida – SkyWater Technology – the only U.S.-owned and U.S.-based pure play semiconductor foundry – is coming to NeoCity in an agreement approved by the Osceola County Commission and company officials today.
SkyWater, which specializes in development and manufacturing of integrated circuits, will take over operation of the Center of NeoVation from the University of Central Florida. UCF is surrendering its obligations and investment under the existing lease agreement. BRIDG will remain as a non-profit partner to attract industry collaboration, while also fulfilling, and building upon, existing Department of Defense contracts.
The SkyWater contract strengthens current partnerships in NeoCity, including imec, TEL, Siemens and SUSS. Commissioners expect Skywater, based in Bloomington, Minn., to build on those relationships and to expand upon them – including fulfillment of ongoing contracts with the Department of Defense.
SkyWater will also move into the OC office building and bring with them high tech jobs including technicians, equipment engineers, and process engineers. Former BRIDG employees will have the opportunity to be interviewed for available positions with SkyWater, officials said.
“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 will run through October 2044. Shared goals of the partnership include:
- 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
“Advanced packaging will fuel future growth of our industry and we are pleased that Congress recognizes the importance of investment in this area. We have seen a growing demand from our customers for these services and we view this partnership with Osceola County and BRIDG as a valuable opportunity to provide them with a total solution from design to manufacturing to packaging in a Trusted, secure environment,” said Thomas Sonderman, SkyWater chief executive officer. “We look forward to re-starting operations at the Center for Neovation over the next six months to drive both commercial and U.S. government programs.”
The U.S. Congress recently approved the National Defense Authorization Act of 2021 (NDAA) that many hope will lead to a resurgence in chip manufacturing in the United States. The provisions include billions of dollars of financial incentives for construction or modernization of facilities “relating to the fabrication, assembly, testing, advanced packaging, or advanced research and development of semiconductors.” The Center for NeoVation is poised to capitalize on this focus.
Background:
In 2014, Osceola County, UCF, 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.
Under that original agreement, Osceola County would build the infrastructure of NeoCity, which included an advanced manufacturing fabrication lab, known as the Center for NeoVation. UCF agreed to lease the Center for NeoVation for 30 years and operate it through a service agreement with BRIDG.
In 2019-20, BRIDG was successful at securing multiple Department of Defense contracts that recognized the potential of BRIDG and NeoCity as an emerging leader in securing our nation’s microelectronics supply chain. However, due to State budget cuts UCF terminated its management service agreement with BRIDG.
Following UCF’s decision to end BRIDG, Osceola County quickly began a search to find a new partner who shared the same vision for BRIDG and NeoCity as the County and the Department of Defense – one that brings high-tech, high-wage jobs to Osceola County and establishes NeoCity as a leader in advanced manufacturing of microelectronics.
Condado Osceola Finaliza Acuerdo con SkyWater Technology para operar el Center for NeoVation
Nuevo Socio idealmente posicionado para expandir el trabajo de BRIDG en NeoCity
Condado Osceola, Florida – SkyWater Technology, la única fundición de semiconductores de juego puro de propiedad y con sede en EE. UU., llegará a NeoCity en un acuerdo aprobado hoy por la Comisión del Condado Osceola y funcionarios de la compañía.
SkyWater, que se especializa en el desarrollo y fabricación de circuitos integrados, asumirá el control del funcionamiento del Center of NeoVation de la Universidad de Florida Central. UCF está renunciando a sus obligaciones e inversiones bajo el contrato de arrendamiento existente. BRIDG seguirá siendo un socio sin fines de lucro para atraer la colaboración de la industria, al mismo tiempo que cumple y se basa en los contratos existentes del Departamento de Defensa.
El contrato de SkyWater fortalece las asociaciones actuales en NeoCity, incluyendo imec, TEL, Siemens y SUSS. Los comisionados esperan que Skywater, con sede en Bloomington, Minnesota, construya sobre esas relaciones y las amplíe, incluyendo el cumplimiento de los contratos en curso con el Departamento de Defensa.
SkyWater también se trasladará al edificio de oficinas de OC y traerá trabajos de alta tecnología, incluyendo técnicos, ingenieros de equipos y procesos. Los ex empleados de BRIDG tendrán la oportunidad de ser entrevistados para los puestos disponibles en SkyWater, dijeron los funcionarios.
“Estamos encantados con la comprensión de SkyWater de los objetivos de NeoCity de transformar nuestra economía con trabajos tecnológicos de alto pago. Tienen la experiencia específica para promover los objetivos del condado. Creemos que tienen la capacidad para maximizar nuestra inversión y continuar el trabajo pionero que BRIDG sentó las bases durante los últimos años,” dijo el Presidente de la Comisión de Osceola, Brandon Arrington. “Doy las gracias al equipo que pudo llevar este acuerdo a una conclusión exitosa tan rápido. Esperamos un futuro emocionante con SkyWater a medida que nuestra visión de NeoCity continúe."
El acuerdo se extenderá hasta octubre de 2044. Los objetivos compartidos de la asociación incluyen:
- Operación del Centro de NeoVation a su máxima capacidad;
- La reanudación de BRIDG como organización sin fines de lucro;
- La continuación de los contratos de BRIDG con el Departamento de Defensa;
- La inversión de millones de dólares en NeoCity;
- Solicitar para el nuevo Federal Adv