Integra update on plan to bring in $2 billion facility

BEL AIRE, Kan. (KSNW) – When the Integra Technologies semi-conductor CHIP plant was announced in 2023, it was met with fanfare and an announcement from the Kansas governor that the plant would bring in up to 2,500 jobs.

As of Tuesday, the plant is still on hold.

“It’s my understanding that federal CHIPS money is needed to make this plant a reality,” said Bel Aire Mayor Jim Benage. “Definitely would be a game changer for Bel Aire.”

Benage says Integra is still waiting on CHIPS funding. CHIPS funding is the federal program called CHIPS for America Act. It’s meant to strengthen supply chains and provide good-paying jobs here in the United States.

KSN reached out to Integra, the employee-owned company, for comment on when CHIPS funding from the federal government could be secured. They responded with the following statement:

“ Thank you for your interest.  CHIPS for America funding applicants are not able to provide any public updates on the process. We look forward to responding to general questions about Integra that are not related to CHIPS during the application process. Thank you for understanding.”

Benage says the plan is still moving forward. And federal CHIPS monies are being allocated in other states. So, the waiting continues for now.

“I think that the reason it’s taking longer is this is a smaller project compared to a lot of others. And so they’re (federal government) just trying to get the bigger projects out of the way,” said Benage. “But this is an important one because this is the largest company of its type that does this assembly and testing.”

Integra does what is called OSAT semiconductor manufacturing and testing. Integra’s CEO, Brett Robinson, has publicly said it will work with Wichita State University and even high schools in the area to find a talent pool when the plant is built.

KSN reached out to WSU for a statement on what is happening with the build phase of the Integra plant.

WSU spokesperson Lainie Mazzullo-Hart sent a statement that says, “WSU is in conversations with Integra to develop programs to meet their needs and identify says to collaborate between our research and their industry sector.”

KSN also reached out to Sedgwick County commissioners.

Commissioner Jim Howell told KSN CHIPS funding is still not announced for the Wichita area Integra project.

“From what I hear, we have to sit and wait and be patient with the government and the federal government and see when they make a decision that this is the right project for this area,” said Benage.

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