Hitachi High-Tech Corporation, a major supplier in the semiconductor industry and a long-time Hillsboro business, has announced expansion plans to construct a “Center of Excellence” in a centralized facility in the Hillsboro Technology Park in Oregon.

The expansion announcement comes as a worldwide shortage of semiconductor chips is in the spotlight. From automakers to smartphone manufacturers, many industries rely on the chips to make their products; however, current demand greatly outpaces the available supply.

• Read Hitachi High-Tech's announcement

Supporting Oregon’s Ecosystem of High-Tech Businesses

Hitachi’s “Center of Excellence” investment in Hillsboro underscores the opportunity and necessity to continue supporting Oregon’s semiconductor industry with a collaborative business environment – and to develop and position this industry for future growth opportunities, such as the federal Chips for America Act.

“We are humbled that Hitachi High-Tech has the confidence in the City of Hillsboro to select this site for its expansion, knowing at the onset that a lot of infrastructure would need to be completed to make this facility operational,” said Dan Dias, Hillsboro’s Economic and Community Development Director.

“The establishment of Hitachi’s Center of Excellence within our community is a prime example of the key innovation and research and development role that Hillsboro, Washington County, and Oregon businesses play in the area of advanced semiconductor technology development,” Dias continued. “We are fortunate to have a mature and expanding ecosystem of the semiconductor supply chain within our community and region made up of great partners, including Hitachi High-Tech.”

Preparing the Hillsboro Technology Park

Seeking to retain Hitachi as a major employer, and to be prepared to attract additional investment in Hillsboro, the City’s Economic Development Department staff worked in conjunction with partners including Business Oregon, Clean Water Services, and Portland General Electric to make the Hitachi site and the rest of the Hillsboro Technology Park development-ready.

• The City of Hillsboro’s urban renewal agency, the Hillsboro Economic Development Council, purchased and sold the site to national turnkey developer Trammell Crow to construct the building for Hitachi.
   
• In partnership with Business Oregon, the City of Hillsboro and the Hillsboro Economic Development Council are investing more than $8 million for right-of-way acquisition and improvements, as well as advanced infrastructure investments, to serve the Hillsboro Technology Park and the Hitachi site.
   
• The greenfield site did not initially have utility and transportation infrastructure. The City of Hillsboro Public Works Department is working to complete utility installations and the extension of NE 30th Avenue and NE Huffman Avenue.
   
• Clean Water Services, the local sewer and waste water agency partner, is constructing a sewer pump station that will serve all businesses in the Hillsboro Technology Park and beyond.

“Our City Council priority is to bring opportunities for living-wage jobs to Hillsboro, the Portland region, and Oregon,” said Hillsboro Mayor Steve Callaway. “This announcement by Hitachi to continue investing in Hillsboro helps us continue our progress in supporting local families, local businesses, and our regional economy – which benefits every Oregonian by increasing revenues and funding for state services such as education, transportation, public safety, and parks.”