Let me share my two cents about the Intel factory in Ohio, a project that’s a big deal for American manufacturing and Intel. It’s an inspiring effort—bringing jobs, boosting U.S. tech independence, and showing what Intel can do right here at home.
I know how much it matters to so many of us, and I’m rooting for it to succeed. But I’ll be upfront: I’m not 100% sure it’ll hit the ground running by 2030. There’s a chance for delays, and while I hope I’m off the mark, I think it’s worth digging into why that might happen.
Let me say this upfront—this isn’t about downplaying Ohio or questioning Intel’s commitment to America. Far from it. It’s about understanding the bigger picture of Intel’s global operations and the tough choices that sometimes come with them.
Take the factory in Kiryat Gat, Israel, for example. It’s already finished construction (though tools aren’t inside yet), with billions invested over the years (I’m referring to Fab 38 and its two mods), and it’s a key part of Intel’s production network. Strategically, it’s in line for a tech upgrade soon, which could shift timelines elsewhere—like Ohio.
So, what’s driving this? Two things stand out to me. First, there’s the political side of things. With Trump pushing his own take on U.S. manufacturing—he’s been vocal about projects like TSMC’s $100 billion investment—he’s also questioned parts of the CHIPS Act, which Intel’s leaning on for Ohio. Politics can nudge corporate plans in unexpected ways. It’s not about picking sides; it’s just the reality of the landscape Intel’s navigating.
Second, there’s something special about how Intel operates in Israel that’s worth noting. The Kiryat Gat plant isn’t just a fab—it’s tied closely to Intel’s massive CPU design hub in Haifa. Those teams don’t just work together; they’ve built a real sense of trust and teamwork, the kind of loyalty we see across Intel’s culture. If Kiryat Gat were sidelined, it wouldn’t just be a business hit—it’d affect people who’ve had each other’s backs for years.
Shutting down or selling the Kiryat Gat facility would mean layoffs and stagnation, and the engineers in Haifa wouldn’t stand by and let their colleagues in Israel take that hit. If you don’t know Israeli solidarity firsthand, it’s tough to overstate. Back when Intel considered selling the Kiryat Gat plant (then owned by Numonyx) to Micron without securing the workers’ futures, massive protests erupted here. It wasn’t just noise—it forced a rethink.
Intel’s success—think Core processors and beyond—leans heavily on the Haifa engineering team. If Kiryat Gat took a hit, it could spark a talent drain in Haifa, and that’s a risk Intel can’t take. The work coming out of Israel is too critical to the company’s bottom line.
So, when I step back, I wonder if Ohio might not be first in line—not because it’s less valuable, but because Kiryat Gat’s already built. I’d genuinely love to be mistaken on this one, but that’s how I see it playing out.
I’m sharing this not to rain on anyone’s parade, but to put a perspective on the table.