North Carolina Construction News staff writer
The U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded $285 million to the Semiconductor Research Corporation Manufacturing Consortium Corporation (SRC) to establish the SMART USA (Semiconductor Manufacturing and Advanced Research with Twins USA) Institute in Durham. This new center will focus on advancing semiconductor technology, a critical industry for U.S. manufacturing.
This funding is part of a broader $1 billion investment in SMART USA. The institute will use digital twin technology — virtual models of real-world objects or systems — to improve semiconductor design, manufacturing, and testing. By using digital replicas, engineers can test and refine designs more quickly and cost-effectively before building them in the real world. This technology will help reduce production costs, speed up development, and improve efficiency.
Durham’s selection as the site for the SMART USA Institute is expected to create significant opportunities for local construction firms. As the institute develops its new facilities, construction companies in the region could see increased demand for building state-of-the-art labs, manufacturing plants, and office spaces. The investment will also drive job growth, offering new opportunities for contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers.
In addition, SMART USA plans to train and educate more than 110,000 workers on digital twin technology over the next five years. This will create a skilled workforce that could benefit local construction firms, who may need workers trained in these emerging technologies for future projects.
Digital twin technology involves creating detailed virtual replicas of physical systems. Engineers can use these models to test and improve manufacturing processes before they are implemented in real-world production. This helps reduce errors, improve efficiency, and lower costs.
For construction companies, digital twins can also be used to improve the planning and design of buildings. By simulating how a building or facility will function in a virtual space, construction firms can better plan for efficiency, optimize designs, and reduce costly errors during construction.
The SMART USA Institute is part of the CHIPS and Science Act, which aims to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to the U.S. Over the next five years, SMART USA will work to:
- Reduce semiconductor manufacturing costs by 40% using digital twin technology.
- Cut development times by 35%, speeding up the adoption of new manufacturing technologies.
- Lower greenhouse gas emissions from semiconductor production by 30%.
- Train more than 110,000 workers to meet the growing demand for skilled labor in the tech and manufacturing fields.
With more than 150 expected partners, including industry leaders and universities, SMART USA is set to become a national hub for semiconductor research and development. This will not only benefit the semiconductor industry but will also have a lasting impact on North Carolina’s economy, creating new opportunities for local construction firms and contractors.
“This award represents the power of collaboration, and we’re excited to build a strong semiconductor ecosystem in North Carolina,” said Todd Younkin, Executive Director of SMART USA. “The SMART USA Institute will drive research and development that will shape the future of manufacturing and workforce training for years to come.”
For North Carolina’s construction industry, the arrival of SMART USA could signal a new era of growth in both high-tech manufacturing and infrastructure development. The integration of digital twin technology and focus on workforce training promises to benefit the state’s economy, construction sector, and technological landscape for years to come.
For more information about the SMART USA Institute, visit the CHIPS for America website.
