Press Releases

The U.S. Department of Defense awarded nearly $40 million dollars to establish the Southwest Advanced Prototyping (SWAP) Hub, which includes both Sandia National Laboratories and the University of New Mexico. The regional innovation hub will focus on microelectronics education, research and development. This initiative is funded through the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act, which the Congresswoman voted for last Congress.

“Congratulations to Sandia National Laboratories and the University of New Mexico on beginning our Enchanted Innovation Hub,” said Rep. Leger Fernández. “New Mexico is primed to both invent and build the next generation of microelectronics and semiconductors.  We have the science, the Universities, and the ganas- the will .  This funding will grow our economy and create good-paying jobs while making sure our state–and our nation–leads the world in technological development.”

“I championed the CHIPS and Science Act because I knew it would  bring new investments to New Mexican communities and develop our STEM workforce.  This is how we build our enchanted innovation economy,” concluded Leger Fernández.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Defense announced it awarded $238 million in Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act funding to eight recipients nationwide to establish regional innovation hubs through what's known as the Microelectronics Commons program. Arizona State University received a $39.8 million federal grant to lead the 27 member  regional collaboration.

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