Florida leaders from government, industry, and higher education gathered in Kissimmee on August 28 for the inaugural Florida Semiconductor Engine Conference, titled “Powering Prosperity.” The event drew over 250 participants and focused on the state’s potential to become a center for specialized semiconductor innovation.
Ron Piccolo, interim CEO of the Florida Semiconductor Engine, described the conference as a step in ongoing efforts to shape the future of semiconductor technology. “This conference is more than a singular event,’’ Piccolo said. “It is the continuation of strategic, bold, and coordinated efforts that will shape the future of semiconductor technology in Florida, the U.S., and around the world.”
The Florida Semiconductor Engine is part of a National Science Foundation-backed consortium based at Osceola County’s NeoCity technology district. The consortium could receive up to $160 million over ten years to expand advanced semiconductor packaging in Florida. In addition to this potential funding, Osceola County has already received $50.8 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration through the Build Back Better Regional Challenge in 2022 and may receive up to $289 million from the Department of Defense for microchip production and workforce development.
Panel discussions at the conference addressed workforce needs and educational pathways while bringing together leaders from industry, academia, and economic development organizations. These conversations emphasized advanced packaging—a field distinct from chips used in everyday products—as well as Florida’s growing role amid national efforts to reshore semiconductor manufacturing due to increased demand driven by artificial intelligence and other tech sectors.
Currently, Florida ranks third nationally for semiconductor establishments and fifth for employment in semiconductor manufacturing with more than 18,000 jobs. Nationwide initiatives aim to bring back more chip manufacturing to the United States, which could result in significant investments and hundreds of thousands of new jobs.
“We are in the perfect position, I’d argue, and the best position of any state in the nation to be able to go out and attract those jobs,” said Jason Mahon, Deputy Secretary of Economic Development for Florida Department of Commerce. He noted that Florida has invested $380 million into workforce education for semiconductors over four years.
Paul Sohl, CEO of Florida High Tech Corridor, led a panel discussion on preparing workers for careers in semiconductors alongside leaders from University of Central Florida (UCF), Valencia College, University of South Florida (USF), and University of Florida—all members of the NSF Engine coalition. The panel discussed how developing talent includes not only researchers but also technicians essential for production.
Valencia College recently launched an associate degree program in Semiconductor Engineering Technology—the first such program in Florida—developed with input from local employers like SkyWater Technology. Kathleen Plinske, president of Valencia College said: “Give us 15 weeks — and we can help you earn an industry certification that will land you a full-time job with benefits.”
UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright highlighted efforts to expand engineering enrollment from 12,000 to 17,000 students with a goal to reach 50,000 technology majors statewide: “UCF was founded as a startup with a mission to provide workforce, and that’s the mindset we need to expand across Florida,” he said.
Sylvia Wilson Thomas—USF Vice President for Research & Innovation—emphasized semiconductors’ broader impact: “When we talk about AI, what is the underlying technology behind it? It’s semiconductors,” she said. “Helping society understand that research in this field directly impacts health, transportation, and communication is critical and commercialization is how we turn that into real impact.”
David Arnold from University of Florida discussed new initiatives like Lab Link at the Florida Semiconductor Institute designed to connect university labs across institutions: “We challenge these teams of students to come up with an idea that came out of (their) conversations,” Arnold said. “Our goal is to try to fund these as collaborative inter-institutional research partnerships.”
Don Fisher—Osceola County Manager—commented on progress since starting NeoCity’s development: “We have been in this development process since 2014…It’s just a long haul…In the past 36 months we have received over $500 million in investment either from State or federal partners.” Fisher added that Osceola County is one of three clusters nationwide receiving both Build Back Better and National Science Foundation awards.
Jason Mahon reiterated state-level support: “About four years ago…we recognized making investments in growing the semiconductor industry…would be really important from both a national security perspective and a lot of opportunity for the state…if you don’t have people who are going to work in them [facilities], we’re not actually going anywhere.”
Piccolo summarized: “We have a mission to transform the U.S. semiconductor industry through collaborative research…to build the most advanced technical workforce…and create regional economic prosperity that has national and global impact….If this were to happen…it will only happen by visionary leadership.”
More information about these initiatives can be found at Florida Semiconductor Engine or Cenfluence’s semiconductor cluster.
