Tennessee to get $1.2 billion semiconductor plant

12/17/2008

By Candy McCampbell

Tennessee has landed its second billion-dollar manufacturing plant in the past six months with the announcement of Hemlock Semiconductor LLC’s decision to build a $1.2 billion plant in Clarksville.

The plant will produce polycrystalline silicon, or polysilicon, which is used to make solar cells and semiconductor devices.

It will generate 500 jobs initially and construction will bring 1,000 jobs.

Officials said construction will get under way “immediately,” with site prep to start in the spring. Initial production is scheduled for 2012.

The plant will be at the 1,215-acre Commerce Park off U.S. Hwy. 79 northeast of Clarksville. The Tennessee Valley Authority has certified the park as an industrial megasite, capable of supporting a large industrial user like an automotive plant.

Hemlock also will buy an adjacent 947-acre site for expansion and buffer area.

“This announcement offers solar industry leaders confidence that polysilicon supply will be available as the solar and electronics industries continue to grow and innovate,” says Rick Doornbos, president and chief executive officer of Hemlock Semiconductor Corp., a related company.

Hemlock Semiconductor LLC is a recently-formed joint venture of Dow Corning Corp., Shin-Etsu Handotai Co. Ltd. and Mitsubishi Materials Corp.

The state’s incentive package includes $100 million in utilities, roads and other infrastructure development at the site. It will also fund a $6.4 million job training center at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville and provide $5 million in job training to Hemlock.

More News>>