Florida leaders from government, industry, and higher education gathered at the inaugural Florida Semiconductor Engine Conference, “Powering Prosperity,” held on August 28 in Kissimmee. The event drew over 250 participants and focused on the state’s ambitions to become a global center for specialized semiconductor innovation.
Ron Piccolo, interim CEO of the Florida Semiconductor Engine, described the conference as a continuation of ongoing efforts to advance 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 consortium, headquartered at NeoCity in Osceola County, is backed by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and may receive up to $160 million over ten years to grow advanced semiconductor packaging in Florida. In addition to NSF support, Osceola County has received $50.8 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration through the Build Back Better Regional Challenge and could get up to $289 million from the Department of Defense for microchip production and workforce development.
Throughout the conference, panel discussions addressed workforce needs and education pipelines while also bringing together leaders from industry, academia, and economic development organizations. These conversations emphasized advanced packaging—a key technology area distinct from semiconductors used in everyday items—and highlighted Florida’s position amid national efforts to bring more semiconductor manufacturing back to the United States.
Florida currently ranks third among U.S. states for semiconductor establishments and fifth for jobs in semiconductor manufacturing with more than 18,000 positions statewide. Nationwide initiatives are driving investment into domestic chip production with expectations of billions in funding and an estimated half-million new jobs across the country.
“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 in workforce education related to semiconductors over four years.
Paul Sohl, CEO of Florida High Tech Corridor, led a panel focused on building Florida’s semiconductor workforce with academic leaders including University of Central Florida President Alexander N. Cartwright; Valencia College President Kathleen Plinske; University of South Florida Vice President for Research & Innovation Sylvia Wilson Thomas; and David Arnold from University of Florida’s Semiconductor Institute—all members of the NSF Engine coalition.
Panelists discussed efforts ranging from training technicians for immediate employment needs—such as Valencia College’s newly launched associate degree program in Semiconductor Engineering Technology—to expanding university engineering enrollments at institutions like UCF. Plinske stated: “Give us 15 weeks — and we can help you earn an industry certification that will land you a full-time job with benefits.” Cartwright added: “UCF was founded as a startup with a mission to provide workforce, and that’s the mindset we need to expand across Florida.”
Sylvia Wilson Thomas underscored semiconductors’ importance beyond technology alone: “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 described Lab Link—a new initiative by the Florida Semiconductor Institute—to connect students and faculty across universities for collaborative research projects aimed at moving innovations toward market applications.
Other speakers reflected on regional progress since 2014 when NeoCity began its development as a tech hub. Don Fisher, Osceola County Manager said: “We have been in this development process since 2014…In the past 36 months we have received over $500 million in investment…Osceola County and its partners were one of three clusters in the United States that received both Build Back Better and National Science Foundation awards.”
Jason Mahon further explained: “About four years ago, we recognized making investments in growing the semiconductor industry in Florida…At the state level we’ve invested $380 million into workforce education side…if you don’t have people who are going to work in them [facilities], we’re not actually going to go anywhere.”
More information about these initiatives can be found through resources such as the official website of The Florida Semiconductor Engine or details on Cenfluence’s semiconductor cluster.
