Micron plans $10 billion Boise research lab facility to lead the ‘AI era’

Micron on Thursday announced a new $10 billion project to create the country’s first dedicated memory research hub right here in Boise. 

The Micron Research Labs is described as an institution that brings together academia, government, startups and semiconductor industry to “advance the memory and compute breakthroughs that will define the AI era,” according to the company’s press release.

The project is backed by a $10 billion investment over the next decade, building upon the already $250 billion investment in establishing research and development and manufacturing, including two Boise memory-chip fabrication plants.

The research facility will host hundreds of researchers working on memory advancement, technological innovation, future semiconductor manufacturing and artificial intelligence. 

Micron says this project will create a “research network” with funding going toward university collaborations, global satellite labs and industry partnerships. The company says it strives to lead AI innovation to make the technology more powerful, expansive, accessible and sustainable, extending its uses to industries including agriculture, healthcare and education. 

“The decisions we make today will determine who leads the AI economy of tomorrow, and America’s AI future will be built on American-made memory,” Micron’s Chairman, President and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra stated. 

Boise Mayor Lauren McLean called the investment another “historic moment” for the city as an opportunity for generations to come. 

“Micron started here in Boise. Today, it is one of the world’s leading memory technology companies, and this investment will further cement Boise’s place as a global center for memory technology and innovation,” McLean said in a press release from the city.

McLean noted the research facility will bring extensive opportunities to Boise for businesses, jobs and education. 

“Micron’s next big investment is a remarkable vote of confidence in Boise,” McLean said. “It’s an investment in technology, but more importantly, it’s an investment in people, opportunity and the next generation of our city.” 

Micron plans to break ground on the “state-of-the-art” facility in 2027. The facility is expected to convene world-class research conferences, workshops and innovation forums in Boise. 

Officials in the U.S. government provided statements on the project, including Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Michael Katsios, who said the research lab will advance the Trump administration’s mission to secure the country’s edge in creating technological innovation. 

“Memory is fundamental to the AI era, and by uniting the entire innovation ecosystem here at home, we can help ensure the next generation of breakthroughs are invented, developed, and scaled in America,” he said in the release.