COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ever since Intel announced its plans to build a computer chip facility in Licking County, there were whispers that the company was also planning to purchase land nearby to build an airport for its executives.
An Intel spokesperson on Wednesday told 10TV there are no plans to build an airport.
Additionally, it was confirmed that some well water will be used during the early excavation of the site, but Intel plans to top into Columbus’ water system by 2023.
However, the planned groundbreaking ceremony remains on hold as the company is awaiting the passage of the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Act in Congress.
On Tuesday, the Senate passed a provisional vote on the $52 billion incentive package designed to create more chip manufacturing in the U.S. Intel has been heavily lobbying for the passage of the CHIPS Act to partially fund the new Ohio facility.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and Samsung, which are building plants in the U.S., also have been lobbying to pass the bill as soon as possible.
Chipmakers have said failure to pass the bill would lead to delays in starting the plants.
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner (D-Virginia) told Yahoo Finance last week he’s concerned that if the legislation is not passed, companies like Intel will move their chip plants overseas.
The legislation was introduced in response to the shortage of computer chips used in computers, cars, medical devices and military equipment.
During a discussion on the floor Tuesday, Ohio Senator Rob Portman said the U.S. economy took a $240 billion hit in 2021 because of the chip shortages.
The Senate should hold a vote on the legislation this week or next. The bill would then go to the House for passage before heading to President Joe Biden’s desk.