Groundbreaking announced in September for first of several manufacturing facilities connected to multi

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly stands with representatives of various agencies following the announcement of a multi-billion-dollar semiconductor project in Coffey County. Photo by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News.

The first domino in a multi-billion-dollar semiconductor project located in Coffey County will fall in place come September.

Secure Semiconductor Manufacturing (SSM) announced Thursday it is set to break ground in September on a new manufacturing facility in Coffey. Director of Coffey County Economic Development Bobby Skipper says this is only one of several pieces of the $1.9 billion semiconductor project announced by Governor Laura Kelly back in February.

The plan is to create a semiconductor facility that will produce microprocessor components needed for the semiconductor industry, using gallium nitride to produce high-speed, high-power, high-efficiency chips. Skipper tells KVOE News SSM's groundbreaking announcement is a crucial piece to the foundation of the overall project.

Skipper adds this is not only exciting news for Coffey County, but the entire state and went on to praise Governor Kelly and Lt. Governor David Toland for their dedication to economic development across the state.

An exact date for the groundbreaking has yet to be announced. As part of the overall project, EMP Shield is collaborating with several local partners including Flint Hills Technical College which will serve as the academic technical programming provider for the initiative.