Micron Details $142M In Idaho Housing And Transit Spending

Micron Technology is spending $142.1 million in Idaho as it prepares to bring its first new fabrication plant online at its Federal Way campus, exceeding a $75 million community investment pledge the company made four years ago. The spending covers housing, transit, savings accounts for children and workforce training.

Scott Gatzemeier, Micron's vice president of front-end U.S. expansion, told BoiseDev the company is focused on staffing the new plant. "Now that we've got this here.. how do we make it successful? And that's in two parts," he said. "One, how do we get the workforce? We can build the most advanced semiconductor manufacturing facility on the planet, but without the people to run it and operate it and make it happen, we're not going to be successful."

On housing, Micron is committing $10.5 million. That includes $2.5 million toward a City of Boise project at Capitol Blvd. and Island Ave. near Boise State University, part of the city's Housing Land Trust Program, which plans about 325 apartments and a parking garage for residents earning 60% of area median income. The remaining $8 million goes to the nonprofit LEAP Housing: $4 million for 30 rental homes in Mountain Home and $4 million for down-payment assistance for up to 200 first-time buyers in Ada, Boise, Canyon, Elmore and Gem counties.

Boise Mayor Lauren McLean said the city's project moves closer to bringing geothermal heat to the apartments with Micron's funding. LEAP CEO Bart Cochran said construction can begin quickly. Idaho Gov. Brad Little said Micron has been a partner "for nearly half a century" and that the company is matching its growth with investments in housing and transportation.

For transit, Micron is giving $11.6 million to Valley Regional Transit, which runs buses in Ada and Canyon counties. The money funds a new route linking Caldwell, Nampa, Meridian and Boise, expanded on-demand service near the campus, and additional park-and-ride hubs. VRT CEO Elaine Clegg said the new services start in early 2027. VRT has faced funding cuts as Nampa and Caldwell scaled back their contributions.

Micron says it has spent $25.1 million on transportation improvements on its own property, including parking lots and roundabouts, and is studying further changes along I-84. The company is working with the City of Boise and ACHD on funding for projects including extensions of Lake Hazel Rd. and Orchard St. south of I-84. In 1997, Micron funded about half the cost of the Isaac's Canyon Interchange on I-84.

The company also detailed a $45 million program providing $250 contributions to 530A accounts for 182,000 children under 18 in Ada, Boise, Canyon, Elmore and Gem counties. Nationally, Micron plans to spend $250 million on 530A contributions. On workforce training, Micron is increasing its apprenticeship program to 100 apprentices this year, with tuition covered at the College of Idaho. Gatzemeier said 90% of technician-level hires will come from the U.S. and that his target for engineers is 70% new college graduates.

Micron has not disclosed a location for a $10 billion research campus it plans to build. "We're in a confidential site selection process," Gatzemeier said. "As soon as we know and we have that selected, we'll announce." The company has said it hopes to begin work in 2027. Micron was founded in Boise in 1978.