Remember that $240 million in semiconductor spending Oregon’s lawmakers approved earlier this year – of course you do. Well, Gov. Kotek has picked 15 recipients for the state taxpayers’ largess, and two of them are in Corvallis.
Hewlett-Packard’s local outpost will score $10 million, and Corvallis based Amorphyx will get $250,000.
HP you know about, and here’s what Amorphyx says about itself, “Amorphyx was born from basic research at Oregon State University into the use of amorphous metals in facilitating quantum tunneling conduction in thin film electronics devices. We are a group of materials scientists, chemical and electrical engineers focused on expanding the use of thin film electronics in integrated circuit manufacturing through the combination of new materials science and electronic conduction techniques.”
In other words, think higher quality screens for things like mobile devices, but buildable for less cost. Amorphyx started in Corvallis back in 2012, and they’ve remained here.
The governor’s tentative plan, released late last month, is anticipated to bring about $40 billion of investments into Oregon’s economy, and create about 6,300 jobs statewide. These are rough estimates based on proposals from the 15 companies that are being awarded grants and loans from Oregon’s treasury.
Anyhow, the state funding comes from the Oregon CHIPS Fund, which the legislature approved as a means of helping companies pursue over $52 billion is federal Chips and Science Act dollars.
The seed money is supposed to help companies build and improve facilities, and put money to research development. However, exact plans are not being revealed to the general public, given the need to protect proprietary information.
Of course, you’ll want the full lists of recipients statewide, so here you go:
- Intel Corporation, Hillsboro – $115 million
- Jireh Semiconductor Incorporated, Hillsboro – $39 million
- Lam Research Corporation, Tualatin – $22 million
- Stratacache, Eugene – $19 million
- Analog Devices, Beaverton – $12 million
- Microchip Technology, Gresham – $11 million
- Hewlett- Packard, Corvallis – $9.5 million
- MGP Engineering, Redmond – $3 million
- Siltronic Corporation, Portland – $2.2 million
- Tektronix Component Solutions – $2 million
- Tosoh Quartz, Portland – $1 million
- Rogue Valley Microdevices, Medford – $250,000
- Amorphyx, Corvallis – $250,000
New 10% Tuition Break for Samaritan Employees: Oregon State University is expanding its relationship with Samaritan Health Services to provide thousands of the regional health system’s employees with more affordable access to academic programs and workforce education opportunities online.
All 6,000 Samaritan employees in the mid-Willamette Valley and central Oregon coast are eligible for reduced tuition scholarships through a collaboration with Oregon State Ecampus, the university’s online education unit.
The Samaritan workers have access to more than 100 Oregon State degrees, programs and microcredentials online, including undergraduate- and graduate-level offerings in fields related to health, public policy, business, social sciences and engineering. Microcredentials are three-course bundles that enable learners to quickly gain new skills to meet industry needs.
“This collaboration is a natural and exciting extension of Oregon State’s land grant mission to make learning more accessible and affordable for people throughout the state,” said Lisa L. Templeton, vice provost of OSU’s Division of Educational Ventures. “Through Oregon State’s high-quality online programs, we’re honored to support all Samaritan employees, who do so much good throughout our communities.”
The agreement follows the recent opening of Oregon State’s new Health Center, a partnership between Samaritan and OSU’s Student Health Services. Samaritan offers primary care and SamCare Express services to OSU students, faculty and staff as well as the public at the 30,000-square-foot facility.
“At Samaritan Health Services, we value lifelong learning and helping open doors for our employees to achieve personal and professional growth,” said Scott Russell, Samaritan’s vice president of human resources. “We are excited to team up with Oregon State University to make higher education more accessible.”
This is the latest in a series of similar corporate collaborations Oregon State Ecampus has formed with organizations, including Amazon, Guild, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and Peet’s Coffee.
Clean Trucks Rules: Businesses have expressed concerns for months about the limited availability of heavy-duty trucks available for purchase in response to the Department of Environmental Quality’s 2021 Clean Trucks rules. On Sept. 29, DEQ briefed more than 230 stakeholders about several changes to its original plan. Many questions remain. For now, however, we know that the low-nitrogen oxide diesel engine portion of the rule will be delayed one year, from January 2024 to January 2025, to ease inventory concerns. Additionally, DEQ intends to align other rules associated with a heavy-duty electric truck sales mandate with California’s revised rules, which will be adopted in December. DEQ then will initiate rulemaking for the Environmental Quality Commission’s action by May 2024. The quick rulemaking turnaround suggests that DEQ probably intends to adopt California’s revised rules.
And now, some updates from our friends at Oregon Business & Industry…
Transportation Revenue: Oregon’s Joint Committee on Transportation met Sept. 29 to hear updates on several issues. The state economist reported on the cost allocation study, which assesses revenue from vehicle classes relative to their impact on the transportation system. Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles continue to shoulder a disproportionate cost burden, a worrisome and worsening trend. Meanwhile, the popularity of fuel-efficient, hybrid and electric vehicles has contributed to shortfalls in transportation revenue, which is generated in large part by fuel taxes. Focusing on road usage, the Oregon Transportation Commission is trying to figure out how to collect more revenue without disincentivizing the adoption of low-emissions vehicles. The Legislature is likely to take this up in 2025.
PERS Fund Losses: Weak performance over the past two years by state Public Employees Retirement System investments has contributed $8 billion to the system’s unfunded liability over the next 20 years, The Oregonian reports. The unfunded liability is now $28 billion. Unless investments rebound sharply and eliminate the gap, public agencies will have to contribute more to the system, reducing funds available for other uses.
A few upcoming business events…
Women in Business. 12 pm, Wednesday, Oct. 18 at Courtyard by Marriott, 400 SW 1st St.
Author, Karen Lund is a global business consultant, teacher, and storyteller that served as a Red Cross staffer during Vietnam. She will touch on knowing your own impactful story; and knowing your own worth, value, talents and skills. She offers a journey to the depth of who you are. Click here to register.
Agri-Industry Suicide Prevention. 10:30 am t0 12 pm, Tuesday, Oct. 24, virtual OSU event.
One myth about suicide is that once a person decides to commit suicide, there is nothing anyone can do to stop them. The fact is, suicide is the most preventable kind of death, and almost any positive action may save a life. QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) is an evidence-based suicide prevention program where participants are empowered to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Similar to CPR, QPR provides lifesaving knowledge and skills to help someone in crisis.
Who should be trained in QPR to prevent farmer and rancher suicide?
- Those who know, love and care for them….family and friends
- Medical providers, including dentists
- Bankers or financial counselors
- Veterinarians
- Farm equipment and supply outlets, pesticide/chemical salespersons
Free. Click here to register.
Corvallis Young Pros. 6 pm, Tuesday, Oct. 31 at Conundrum House, 460 SW Madison, Suite 12
Join CYP for a creepy good time at Conundrum House on All Hallows’ Eve! The event is a 2-parter – opening with a clue hunt icebreaker inspired by horror authors Shakespeare, Shirley Jackson, Edgar Allen Poe, Mary Shelley and others. Costumes are heavily encouraged. Free. Click here to RSVP.
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