In a bold endorsement of America’s push toward semiconductor self-sufficiency, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin visited NeoCity in Osceola County, Florida, on Thursday, praising its explosive growth as a vital center for microelectronics research and advanced manufacturing. During the tour, Zeldin announced a groundbreaking new R&D laboratory aimed at accelerating domestic innovation in Semiconductors, underscoring the facility’s potential to reshape the nation’s tech landscape amid global supply chain challenges.
- Zeldin’s Tour Unveils NeoCity’s High-Tech Marvels
- New R&D Lab Announcement Signals Boost for Domestic Semiconductor Innovation
- Osceola County’s Meteoric Rise as a Microelectronics Manufacturing Epicenter
- EPA’s Strategic Push to Secure U.S. Leadership in Semiconductors
- Future Horizons: NeoCity’s Blueprint for America’s Tech Independence
Zeldin’s Tour Unveils NeoCity’s High-Tech Marvels
The visit by Administrator Zeldin kicked off with an immersive tour of NeoCity’s sprawling 732-acre campus, a former aerospace site reborn as a beacon of innovation since its establishment in 2020. Nestled in the heart of Central Florida, NeoCity has transformed from a dormant property into a bustling hub where engineers and scientists collaborate on next-generation microelectronics. Zeldin, clad in a hard hat and safety vest, navigated through state-of-the-art cleanrooms and fabrication labs, where cutting-edge work on Semiconductors is underway.
“What we’re seeing here at NeoCity is nothing short of revolutionary,” Zeldin remarked to a group of reporters following the tour. “This isn’t just about building chips; it’s about securing America’s future in technology, energy, and national security. The EPA is proud to stand with partners like NeoCity to foster sustainable growth in manufacturing that benefits our economy and environment.”
NeoCity’s rapid ascent is backed by impressive statistics. Since its inception, the facility has attracted over $1.2 billion in investments from private sector giants and government grants. It now hosts more than 20 resident companies specializing in semiconductor design, testing, and prototyping. Key players include the University of Central Florida’s NanoScience Technology Center and industry leaders like SkyWater Technology, which operates a dedicated 200mm wafer fabrication line on-site. These efforts have already created over 500 high-tech jobs in Osceola County, with projections for 2,000 more by 2025.
The tour highlighted specific advancements in microelectronics, such as the development of gallium nitride (GaN) Semiconductors, which are crucial for efficient power electronics in electric vehicles and renewable energy systems. Zeldin paused at a demonstration station where researchers showcased how these materials could reduce energy loss in manufacturing processes by up to 30%, aligning with the EPA’s goals for environmental sustainability.
New R&D Lab Announcement Signals Boost for Domestic Semiconductor Innovation
The highlight of Zeldin’s visit was the official announcement of a $50 million EPA-funded Research and Development laboratory at NeoCity, set to break ground next quarter. This state-of-the-art facility will focus on advancing semiconductor technologies critical for 5G networks, artificial intelligence, and defense applications. The lab will integrate EPA oversight to ensure eco-friendly practices, such as water recycling systems and low-emission fabrication methods, addressing concerns over the environmental impact of semiconductor manufacturing.
“This new lab represents a pivotal investment in our nation’s semiconductor ecosystem,” Zeldin stated during a press conference flanked by local officials and NeoCity executives. “By partnering with the EPA, we’re not only innovating in microelectronics but also pioneering green manufacturing techniques that will set global standards.”
The initiative comes at a critical time. The U.S. currently produces only about 12% of the world’s semiconductors, down from 37% in 1990, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). Disruptions like the 2021 global chip shortage, which cost the U.S. economy an estimated $240 billion, have amplified calls for onshore production. NeoCity’s new lab aims to counter this by fostering collaborations between academia, industry, and government. It will feature advanced tools like extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography scanners and AI-driven design software, enabling faster prototyping of chips that could power everything from smartphones to quantum computers.
Local leaders echoed Zeldin’s enthusiasm. Osceola County Commissioner Cheryl Grieb noted, “NeoCity is putting our community on the map as a semiconductor powerhouse. This EPA support will create pathways for our workforce, from apprenticeships to PhD-level research, ensuring long-term prosperity.” The lab is expected to employ 150 specialists initially, with a focus on diverse hiring to include underrepresented groups in STEM fields.
Osceola County’s Meteoric Rise as a Microelectronics Manufacturing Epicenter
Osceola County’s evolution into a semiconductor hotspot is a story of strategic reinvention. Once known primarily for tourism near Walt Disney World, the region has leveraged its proximity to Orlando’s tech corridor and Florida’s business-friendly policies to attract manufacturing investments. NeoCity, developed by the Osceola County Economic Development Commission, sits on land previously occupied by a NASA shuttle landing facility, symbolizing a shift from space exploration to terrestrial tech dominance.
In the past three years, NeoCity has seen a 400% increase in square footage dedicated to cleanroom operations, now totaling over 100,000 square feet. This expansion supports a pipeline of innovations, including silicon carbide (SiC) devices for high-voltage applications in electric grids. Manufacturing at NeoCity emphasizes vertical integration, where design, fabrication, and testing occur under one roof, reducing lead times from months to weeks.
The EPA’s involvement extends beyond funding. Zeldin emphasized regulatory streamlining to expedite permits for eco-conscious manufacturing. For instance, NeoCity’s facilities already comply with stringent EPA standards for hazardous waste management from etching processes, using plasma abatement systems that capture 99% of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This green approach has earned NeoCity certifications from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for environmental management.
Broader economic impacts are tangible. A recent study by the Florida High Tech Corridor Council projects that semiconductor activities at NeoCity could generate $500 million in annual economic output by 2030, including spillover effects in supply chain logistics and education. Vocational programs at nearby Valencia College have ramped up, training over 1,000 students annually in microelectronics assembly and quality control.
- Job Creation Surge: From 100 employees in 2021 to 500+ today, with EPA-backed initiatives targeting 1,000 by 2026.
- Investment Influx: Over $300 million in new capital since 2022, including federal CHIPS Act allocations.
- Sustainability Milestones: 50% reduction in water usage per wafer through advanced recycling tech.
EPA’s Strategic Push to Secure U.S. Leadership in Semiconductors
The EPA’s engagement with NeoCity is part of a larger federal strategy to revitalize domestic semiconductor manufacturing, intertwined with the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, which allocates $52 billion for the sector. Administrator Zeldin, a former congressman with a track record in environmental policy, has positioned the agency as a facilitator of “clean tech” growth. During his tenure, the EPA has launched initiatives like the Semiconductor Environmental Stewardship Program, which provides grants for pollution prevention in fabrication plants.
Zeldin’s tour aligns with President Biden’s executive order on semiconductors, emphasizing supply chain resilience. “We’re moving from vulnerability to vitality,” Zeldin said, referencing how NeoCity’s microelectronics work could mitigate risks from geopolitical tensions, such as U.S.-China trade disputes over rare earth elements used in chip production.
Experts applaud the EPA’s role. Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a semiconductor analyst at the Brookings Institution, commented, “Facilities like NeoCity are essential for bridging the innovation gap. The new R&D lab will not only advance manufacturing but also integrate EPA’s expertise in sustainable practices, ensuring that our semiconductor resurgence doesn’t come at the planet’s expense.”
Challenges remain, however. The high cost of building semiconductor fabs—often exceeding $10 billion—requires sustained public-private partnerships. NeoCity mitigates this through its shared infrastructure model, where smaller firms access expensive equipment like atomic layer deposition tools without full ownership. The EPA’s funding will support pilot projects on biodegradable packaging for chips, reducing e-waste in the manufacturing lifecycle.
Internationally, NeoCity’s efforts position the U.S. to compete with leaders like Taiwan’s TSMC and South Korea’s Samsung. By focusing on specialized microelectronics, such as photonics for data centers, the facility could capture a slice of the $600 billion global semiconductor market projected for 2025.
Future Horizons: NeoCity’s Blueprint for America’s Tech Independence
Looking ahead, the EPA’s investment in NeoCity signals a blueprint for semiconductor hubs across the U.S. The new R&D lab will host international symposia starting in 2025, drawing experts to collaborate on breakthroughs in quantum semiconductors and neuromorphic computing. These technologies promise to revolutionize fields like autonomous vehicles and personalized medicine, with manufacturing efficiencies that could lower chip prices by 20-30% over the next decade.
Osceola County envisions NeoCity as the nucleus of a “Silicon Heartland” in Florida, potentially attracting satellite facilities from Intel and Qualcomm. Zeldin hinted at additional EPA grants for workforce development, including scholarships for 500 students in microelectronics programs. “This is just the beginning,” he affirmed. “NeoCity will lead the charge in making America the undisputed leader in sustainable semiconductor innovation.”
As global demand for semiconductors surges—expected to hit 1.1 trillion units annually by 2030—the facility’s role in bolstering domestic manufacturing cannot be overstated. With EPA backing, NeoCity is poised to not only drive economic growth but also ensure that America’s technological edge is built on environmentally responsible foundations. Stakeholders anticipate ripple effects, from enhanced national security to greener supply chains, as this Florida gem continues to shine in the semiconductor firmament.
