Integra Technologies Announces Site in Wichita Region for Largest U.S. OSAT Semiconductor Project
Bel Aire, Wichita and Sedgwick County partner to provide regional support for transformative expansion project
WICHITA, Kan. February 22, 2023 – Integra Technologies Inc., the largest U.S. Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) company, today announced Wichita region support and site locations for its new combined headquarters and production facility in Bel Aire and a separate training facility in Wichita, both are in Sedgwick County, Kan. In addition to state incentives, local support is required for a company to apply for the competitive U.S. Department of Commerce for CHIPS and Science Act funding, and both are contingent on receiving CHIPS funding.
Integra announced its new one million-square-foot headquarters and semiconductor production facility will be located on the southeast corner of Kansas Highway 254 and Rock Road in Bel Aire, pending approval by the Bel Aire City Council.
Integra’s CEO Brett Robinson said the company will apply for CHIPS funding for an expansion that would create more than 2,500 new jobs and more than $2 billion in capital investment in the first five years.
“We are excited to partner with the City of Bel Aire and Sedgwick County and receive the support of the City of Wichita and so many other partners for our expansion plans,” Robinson said. “It’s a great day when we can address the high need for semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S. from our home region.”
The August 2022 bi-partisan CHIPS Act was established to boost U.S. competitiveness, innovation and national security in the semiconductor industry. As part of the $52.7 billion, it will award $39 billion to U.S. companies in competitive grants to manufacturers to finance construction, expansion and modernization of facilities and equipment.
“Integra’s decision to expand its Wichita operation for its largest semiconductor project to date is a testament to the talented workforce in Kansas and the importance of ensuring a reliable U.S. supply of microchips,” said U.S. Senator Jerry Moran. “I supported the CHIPS and Science Act because semiconductors are critical to our national and economic security, and now Kansas has a leading role in making certain our nation is able to produce its own semiconductors.”
On February 2, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and Integra announced the Kansas State Finance Council awarded Integra its premier incentive package Attracting Powerful Economic Expansion (APEX). Integra’s APEX application is capped at 1,994 jobs and $1.8 billion capital investment. The additional jobs and capital investment will increase the project’s economic impact, but per the APEX contract, will not receive additional incentives.
Local support for the new headquarters and production facility includes proposed workforce development support from Sedgwick County and Bel Aire, plus a 10-year property tax abatement and the creation of a tax-increment finance (TIF) district.
“It is a great day for Bel Aire and for the entire region to have Integra locate its expansion here,” said Bel Aire Mayor Jim Benage. “For a project of this size, it takes a lot of hard work and years of preparation to be ready from the Bel Aire staff and City Council, but also from every partner in the region, and this is a game changer for our regional economic growth.”
Sedgwick County Commission Chairman Pete Meitzner said, “We are thrilled that Integra has chosen to stay in Kansas and selected Sedgwick County to continue growing. South Central Kansas continues to be a strong economic hub for the state with a proven rich manufacturing history. We support Integra Technologies, including our partnerships and collaborative efforts for their workforce expansion.”
Local and regional partnerships and support are critical for a CHIPS for America application, and local leaders said they will provide a proposal to Bel Aire and Sedgwick County for strategic workforce development support to focus on building local pipelines for the semiconductor industry.
“The job expansion at Integra is a great fit for the skill set of the talented workforce in South Central Kansas, and the Workforce Alliance is excited to be a partner and help create multiple career pathways for job seekers and students in this region,” said Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas President Keith Lawing. “We have developed a Strategic Workforce Collaborative with more than 30 community-based organizations and 25 education and skills training institutions to help make this growth a reality in our region."
With the Strategic Workforce Collaborative, Integra is especially focused on reaching individuals and groups that have barriers to employment.
Integra also announced that it will open a training center at 3718 N Rock Road in Wichita. While the new headquarters is under construction, the 3718 N Rock Road space will also serve as Integra’s interim headquarters, with production continuing at the Northrock Business Park. NAI Martens is handling the training site lease and the Bel Aire site sale for Integra.
“The ability to attract a project of this size to the Wichita region is an indicator of our region’s ability to attract and retain employers and put Wichita and South Central Kansas on the forefront of innovation in advanced manufacturing,” said Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple.
The workforce development plan focuses on the many different types of positions Integra will hire for, including engineers, technical positions as well as sales, human resources, finance and other positions required for headquarters’ operations. A significant percentage of the positions will be entry-level jobs requiring a high school diploma or GED equivalent with training opportunities.
"Having Integra Technologies as a partner to develop a large semiconductor-skilled workforce in Kansas is an exciting opportunity for Wichita State University, WSU Tech, and our entire region." said Dr. Sheree Utash, President of WSU Tech and Vice President of Workforce Development at WSU. "Through this partnership, WSU and WSU Tech are developing innovative programs that will give individuals from all backgrounds access to dynamic job opportunities, ranging from GED to Ph.D., with a particular focus on underrepresented populations."
According to Integra, the jobs and capital investment over the first five years are the beginning of long-term expansion plans. According to local economic development leadership, the region has been preparing for growth opportunities like this.
“We have been deliberate in our strategy to diversify the economy and be in the position to support catalytic opportunities like Integra’s expansion,” said Greater Wichita Partnership President Jeff Fluhr. “We continue to build the ecosystem that supports existing and evolving industries throughout our region. This announcement demonstrates what we accomplish when we collaborate throughout the Wichita Region for the benefit of all. Our future is one of opportunities.”
The site will include a one million-square-foot headquarters and a production facility. The facility will be a state-of-the-art manufacturing environment and environmentally sustainable building on about 100 acres. The site will also feature approximately 20 acres of solar panels to help power the facility. GLMV Architecture was selected as the design firm for the project.
Integra secured Kansas’ premier incentive package APEX through a unanimous vote of the bi-partisan Kansas State Finance Council. Integra’s expansion plans are designed to address recent risks identified in the U.S. semiconductor supply chain, support the domestic semiconductor ecosystem, and strengthen advanced manufacturing in the State of Kansas.
Founded in Wichita 40 years ago, Integra is an employee-owned company (ESOP) with operations in Wichita and Silicon Valley, providing high-quality OSAT services for more than 500 active customers, including many from critical infrastructure sectors such as the military, aerospace, medical, aviation, automotive, commercial and industrial.
OSAT providers play a critical role in the semiconductor industry, serving as subcontract manufacturers of semiconductor devices. The company performs the last half of the manufacturing required to make a chip and validate its functionality before they are shipped to become part of devices.
###
About Integra Technologies
- Technologies is the largest U.S. OSAT company providing semiconductor back-end services to companies worldwide. For 40 years, Integra has provided packaging, assembly, and test services to more than 500 customers with complex requirements, such as aerospace, medical, and defense. The employee-owned company’s headquarters is in Wichita, with operations in Wichita and Silicon Valley.
Connect with Integra Technologies
LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube
