Lam Research starts Oregon AI chip lab construction

Lam Research began building an AI semiconductor research facility in Oregon, part of a $3 billion global expansion targeting advanced chip manufacturing.

Lam Research commenced construction of an AI semiconductor research facility in Tualatin, Oregon on August 26, 2026. The 120,000-square-foot site will increase cleanroom lab capacity at Lam’s Oregon R&D center by more than 50% when completed in 2028. This facility supports advanced deposition and etch processes for AI chips, materials science, and hardware validation. The project is part of a $3 billion global investment spanning five years, with Washington County approving a $1.7 billion investment agreement through 2041—though formal approval from the Oregon Business Development Commission remains pending.

The facility will create more than 400 jobs in Oregon and raise Lam’s total Oregon employment to over 11,000. It also increases Lam’s annual economic contribution in Oregon to more than $1.8 billion when completed. Intel and Micron Technology will collaborate with engineers at the site on product development.

This expansion could lower long-term AI chip costs through advanced semiconductor manufacturing, directly addressing the high price barriers for AI infrastructure. However, the projected cost reductions depend on the facility’s 2028 completion and the pending approval of the county investment agreement. The $3 billion investment covers global lab network expansion, not just the Oregon facility, meaning the full impact on chip affordability will require coordination across multiple sites.

Source: Manufacturing Dive