In a not too distant future, the essential building blocks of electronics, from mobile phones to missiles, could come from Osceola County.
Authorities announced on Tuesday the launch of the Florida semiconductor engine at Neocity, a project that trains workers around the world and attracts businesses. With a federal investment of 5 billion people, the 500-acre Neocity campus in Kissimmee leads the state’s efforts to manufacture semiconductors.
Neocit is the county technology hub. Until recently, only a few companies were working on semiconductors, but new efforts aim to invite more companies to Osceola and develop more partnerships with the university.
But it is federally funded, and it could change under the Trump administration.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony, County Commissioner Brandon Arlington said the new initiative will promote economic diversity in the state and Osceola. He said Neocit is the county’s defense against the recession.
“What we’re trying to do here in Osceola County is not only creating an ecosystem for high-paying, highly-paid jobs, but we’re actually trying to counter the issue of Osceola County constantly at the top of unemployment when there’s an economic downturn in the country,” Arrington said. “I graduate my kids too often, go to great schools and don’t go home.”
Most of Osceola’s residents work in tourism. 36%, according to 2024 data from Experience Kissimmee, the county’s tourism division. The county also has the lowest household median income in the area, costing $68,700 a year based on the latest data from the US Census.
Engine CEO Tawny Olore said the project is a key step towards building a statewide semiconductor ecosystem and improving Florida’s economy.
“We are here leading Florida economic development companies and creating their workforce to ensure that those companies can thrive here,” Oroa said. “Companies want to come to our site and move to Florida.”
She said the engine will help fund 500 internships for university students from across the state and create an app that matches the talent that connects employers to employees.
Neocity semiconductors can be sold to the defense industry along with the medical and automotive industries, she said.
Neocity received a $15 million award from the National Science Foundation last year for funding Florida semiconductor engines. The fund could receive up to $160 million over the next decade.
The award came from the Biden administration’s Chips Science Law. This is an effort to encourage semiconductor manufacturing in the US and bring it back from overseas.
President Donald Trump has publicly stated his support for US semiconductor manufacturing, but has repeatedly criticised Chip.
Last month, in his first speech to Congress for the second term, Trump insisted that companies receiving the Chips Act “do not spend money,” urging lawmakers to “get rid of” the law.
Trump also signed an executive order on March 31 to establish a US investment accelerator. The order will create an office in the Department of Commerce, responsible for managing the CHIPS program and renegotiating “a much better chips law than previous managers.”
Olore said Neocit is looking for other revenue streams for itself and the project.
“All federal funding will cover the budget range year by year,” Oroa said. “To have a private ecosystem, you just don’t want to rely on one source of funding.”
D-Kissimmee Rep. Darren Soto said there is a desire among Republicans to change the way tip funding is distributed. However, he said the Chips Act was passed with rare, bipartisan support in 2022, so even if the program changes, it is likely that funding will continue.
“Now is the time to be vigilant and show support for the Chips Act,” Soto said. “Several Republican senators are open to this change in the law and may want to see alternative proposals.”
Original issue: 6am EDT, April 25th, 2025
