Boise State University has been chosen to lead a major regional semiconductor workforce initiative spanning nine western states, placing the Boise institution among only two universities in the country selected to anchor one of four national network nodes. The Pacific-Intermountain Network for Education in Semiconductors, a regional component of the federally backed National Network for Microelectronics Education, held its formal launch event on June 3, 2026, with Idaho Governor Brad Little and National Science Foundation Acting Director Brian Stone among those taking part.
A National Honor with Idaho Roots
Boise State’s Microelectronics Education and Research Center, housed within the university’s College of Engineering, will serve as the operational hub for the network. The selection puts Boise State alongside the University of Texas at Austin as the only two traditional universities — rather than research consortia or other organizations — leading one of the four regional nodes established nationwide under this initiative.
The network draws together more than 20 universities, nine community colleges, K-12 institutions, private corporations, and government organizations across Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and Hawaii. MERC has been working to strengthen Idaho’s semiconductor talent pipeline since 2023, giving Boise State an established foundation from which to coordinate the broader regional effort.
Governor Little called the selection a meaningful economic achievement for the state. “The selection of Boise State University to lead the Pacific-Intermountain Network for Education in Semiconductors is a major win for Idaho’s economy,” he said at the launch event.
Federal Backing and the CHIPS Act Connection
The initiative is funded through the NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships and is aligned with the CHIPS and Science Act, the federal law aimed at rebuilding domestic semiconductor manufacturing and research capacity. The U.S. Department of Commerce is also a partner in the effort, reflecting the broad federal commitment to closing the gap between semiconductor industry demand and available workforce.
NSF Acting Director Brian Stone said the node structure is designed to create direct pathways for students into high-demand careers. In his remarks, he noted that Boise State’s leadership role would connect students across the nine-state region to opportunities in an industry critical to the country’s technological future.
Idaho Partners Across the Education Spectrum
The network’s Idaho contingent is extensive, drawing on institutions from across the state. University-level partners include the University of Idaho, Idaho State University, Northwest Nazarene University, and BYU-Idaho. On the community college side, the College of Eastern Idaho, College of Southern Idaho, and College of Western Idaho are all listed as participants, broadening the reach of the pipeline to students who may enter the workforce through shorter-term technical pathways rather than four-year degree programs.
Micron Technology, which operates one of the largest semiconductor manufacturing facilities in the United States in Boise, is identified as the network’s regional anchor employer. The company’s presence in Ada County makes Boise a natural hub for semiconductor workforce development — graduates trained through network programs would have a major potential employer practically in their backyard.
What This Means for Ada County and the Treasure Valley
For Boise and the broader Treasure Valley, the designation reinforces the region’s growing identity as a center of semiconductor industry activity. Micron’s ongoing expansion plans and the presence of a major research university with an established microelectronics center give Ada County a stronger competitive position as chipmakers look to build out domestic supply chains in response to ongoing federal incentives.
The workforce pipeline created through this network could direct graduates from community colleges and universities across nine states toward jobs that, in many cases, will be located right here in Ada County. That represents a long-term economic benefit for local employers, residents, and the tax base that supports Boise-area communities.
What Comes Next
With the network now formally launched, Boise State’s MERC will begin coordinating curriculum development, student programming, and employer partnerships across all nine member states. Residents interested in semiconductor career pathways or educational programs can contact Boise State University’s College of Engineering or reach out to their local community college — including the College of Western Idaho — for information on how the network’s offerings may expand in the coming academic year.