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Progress at the Silicon Heartland: An April 2026 Update

  • Writer: Mike Serfozo
    Mike Serfozo
  • Apr 25
  • 2 min read

It has been a busy spring in New Albany. If you’ve driven past the Intel "Ohio One" site lately, you’ve likely noticed that the horizon is changing. While the project has seen its fair share of timeline shifts, the momentum on the ground is undeniable.

Here is the latest breakdown of where the "Silicon Heartland" stands as of April 2026.


Photo courtesy of Lukateake.


🏗️ Construction Status: Going Vertical

After millions of work hours and enough concrete to fill a small stadium, the project has officially moved past the "big hole in the ground" phase.


  • Vertical Milestones: Following the completion of the massive "basement" levels last year, steel superstructures are now rising. Work is currently focused on the above-ground shells of the first two fabrication plants (fabs).


  • Infrastructure Support: Local utility and road projects are racing to keep up. FirstEnergy recently announced a $24 million high-voltage power line rebuild in the region to ensure the grid can handle the massive energy demands of semiconductor manufacturing.


  • Workforce on Site: There are currently about 1,000 building trades members working daily, with expectations to ramp up to 1,600 by this summer.


🗓️ The New Timeline

Intel has been transparent about adjusting its pace to match the global economy and "financially responsible" growth.


Milestone

Current Target

Mod 1 Construction Completion

2030

Mod 1 Full Operations

2030–2031

Mod 2 Construction Completion

2031

Mod 2 Full Operations

2032

Note: While these dates are later than the original 2025/2026 estimates, Intel executives emphasize that the slower pace allows them to integrate the latest 14A process technology—the absolute cutting edge of chipmaking—directly into the Ohio fabs.

💼 Jobs and Workforce Development

Despite the production delay, the "Intel Effect" on Ohio’s education system is in full swing.

  • Hiring has begun: Intel has already started hiring Ohio-based technicians and engineers. Many are currently stationed at "parent fabs" in Arizona and Oregon for hands-on training so they can hit the ground running when New Albany goes live.


  • Education Grants: Ohio University recently received a new batch of advanced RF and electronic testing equipment donated by Intel. This is part of the $3.85 million ASCENT program designed to train the next generation of "Heartland" innovators.


  • Foundry Momentum: There is growing buzz that Intel’s Ohio site may eventually collaborate with major tech players like Amazon, Google, and even Tesla (via the "TeraFab" initiative) as more companies look to "onshore" their AI chip production.


🛣️ Local Impact: Roadwork Ahead

For those living in Newark and New Albany, the "Intel commute" is becoming a reality. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is moving forward with $90 million in road improvements. Keep an eye out for noise wall construction along SR 161, which is scheduled to continue through Fall 2026.


While the "finish line" has moved further into the decade, the scale of investment remains the largest in Ohio's history. We are watching a 1,000-acre field transform into the future of American technology, one steel beam at a time.


Here's a link to a video of the recent construction made by Lukateake. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewo9Cbb0aRM


 
 
 

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