Yesterday, The Hillsboro Herald covered the secretive trip that Hillsboro Mayor Steve Callaway, City Manager Robby Hammond, and Economic Development Director Dan Dias took to Japan this past week. The City emailed us this morning to follow up and say that the only way we can get any information is via a Public Information Request. That request could easily take weeks to answer. So, they confirmed it was secretive and will not speak of it with a simple email or phone call.
That story followed our stories about the massive land expansion that Governor Tina Kotek has announced she will be making this week. No one else in the media knew which property, of course the Herald did. We covered that story several times.
The Herald also has reported, using our research and information gathered from within the community, that the Governor and Hillsboro are preparing to announce that they will be promoting with Intel what is known as an Extreme Ultraviolet Light Chips Research Center.
Here is a link to those stories so you can catch up:
Extreme Ultraviolet Center Slated For Hillsboro Once Kotek Expands The Urban Growth Boundary
Local Residents Asked To Help Stop The Sprawl As Governor’s Trip To Hillsboro Looms Large
Hillsboro Mayor Steve Callaway & Highest Ranking City Officials In Japan On Secretive Trip
Today, we publish just a small sample of the emails that we received from the City of Hillsboro recently that confirmed that we were correct about what was happening. While we still do not know everything, we have determined that big news is going to break soon, and it is certain that the symbols and kettle drums are ready for a huge announcement to sort of grease the skids for taking 373 acres of farmland into the boundary. And we are hearing that landowners in North Hillsboro have not given up on getting another 1000 acres or so added to Tina’s map redrawing, which she will do in a way never before done.
On to the emails! Yah!!
Internal Communications Oregon CHIPS ACT Hillsboro
Email from James “Jim” Riley at the City of Hillsboro to Mark Brady at Business Oregon- https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-brady-oregon/
Mark discusses creating the “OSCIE” as a Nonprofit, creating an entity, and finding an Executive Director. AN OSCIE, as I understand it, is:
“In essence, OSCIEs are the “finishers” in the semiconductor world. They take the raw, fabricated chips and turn them into the final products that power our electronics. By supporting OSCIEs, the CHIPS Act aims to strengthen the entire US semiconductor ecosystem. An OSCIE (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test International Enterprise) is a crucial part of the semiconductor supply chain, especially in the context of the CHIPS Act.”
Okay, Brady, who is very powerful, responded in April that the NSTC CHIPS ACT Opportunity will be figured out, or they will “die trying.” Gosh, I hope not, Mark!
Internal Communications Oregon CHIPS ACT Hillsboro
Next, we see an email from Sarah Means in the Governor’s office to the City, State, Business Oregon, Intel staff, and others dated May 15th, 2024. She mentions there are multiple committees formed at that point, and they will all be discussing how to structure the work at hand to land one of the three multi-billion dollar NSTC Centers being funded by the US CHIPS ACT. This, in essence, is the entire team. Remember, at this time, Intel’s stock is plummeting to a 56-year low, and their bankers are moving in to reorganize the company and prepare to announce the layoff of 15,000 employees. Talking about massive growth as the company is planning to fire 15,000 people. How dystopian.
In an email back to Business Oregon, James Riley (Hillsboro) shows that there is some stress and perhaps different ideas about how Hillsboro and the State (Business Oregon) are doing their work. This email clearly states that the two groups are misaligned. In essence, Hillsboro, which controls most of this process, is letting the State know they better get on the same page. Hillsboro controls this entire process from the standpoint that it has control of the water, sewer, utilities, and land. The land in question, which the Governor’s meeting is about, can only be serviced by Hillsboro if it is brought in. And let’s all remember- Intel is here, and Hillsboro management is hooked at the hip and carries the water for them.
Brady fires back and opens the door to getting on the same page. It appears that the State of Oregon, via Business Oregon, is questioning how this CIE or OSCIE mentioned by the Cities Riley in the first email above will or can benefit smaller companies. And for someone who follows these things, it sure looks like Intel and Hillsboro want something different than what Brady sees as the best for the State of Oregon. Because City and State Officials will not talk, and we have attempted to reach them all, we assume this will all come out in the wash. However, a CIE or this OSCIE appears to be a non-profit and is not the same as an NSTC, which the Chips Act can fund.
On June 4th, 2024, we saw an email from Anca Matica from the governor’s office to the group. In that email, Anca identifies a name for a new entity. We researched it, and there is nothing public, but it appears that the City of Hillsboro and the State officials must have agreed to create this as the new entity. No such name is found on Google or in any State records that I can see that are public.
NSTC Silicon Forest Manufacturability Hub? What Is It?
Intel shows itself—- This executive, Lucian Shifren ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucian-shifren-4617854/), enters center stage. In what comes across as an email tantrum ribboned with threats, Shifren is upset about something, and we do not know what because we have no context here. The Herald has filed for public information requests- no response yet. Shifren states that Intel has deals in other States and that the opportunity here in Oregon is slipping away. This letter is a threat and a quid pro quo, IMHO. It is Bullshit coming from a failing company that is in the news every day for mismanagement and environmental issues. This should open some eyes.
Porter, the Governor’s right hand and a pretty sharp dealer, fires back. As of July 19th, 2024, nothing definitive has been revealed.
Well, kids, The Herald has had nothing since July on these matters. We are trying to get them. But by posting these communications, we are hopeful we will inform more of you about what is happening, and perhaps the Oregonian or someone sitting on more of these communications will be compelled to join in the disclosures. There will be MANY more to come!
The Hillsboro Herald is a News source- an online digital newspaper and media source. Most of our stories are one-of-a-kind, unique, hyper-local, investigative, and uncovered by no other news media. We have subscribers and allow advertisers to work with us and meet our readers. We are formally organized as an Oregon LLC with the express purpose of gathering and diseminating news to the public and the Citizens of the Communities we serve. The City of Hillsboro leadership denies the Hillsboro Herald access to Executive Sessions, which has been held almost every meeting lately. There is no record of what happens in those meetings, and media and journalists are allowed. The Herald has been denied access because their city attorneys stated that this is a blog site, not a news media source. This makes it convenient for them to hide what is being done and said from the Herald. We tell you, our readers, this to make you ponder their decision and why they have made it. Several attorneys from the State and National Levels offer to take this matter to court. We want to bring you the news- and the best of the news. We do not force our readers to pay for the news like The Oregonian, Oregon-Live, The Business Journal, and others will. We do ask for your support and patronage as a subscriber or supporter. You can do that right here- https://www.patreon.com/join/HillsboroHerald
- Get Involved- from Friends of Smart Growth-
On September 17, Governor Kotek declared her intention to bring 373 acres of excellent farmland into Hillsboro’s urban growth boundary as part of an application for a semiconductor research site. This is not only unnecessary, it is wasteful of our farmland and tax dollars, and the process under Senate Bill 4 that gives the Governor sole authority on this issue is undemocratic.
Here are 7 reasons to oppose this land grab:
- We have the land: There are 10,000+ acres of industrial land inside existing UGBs, including hundreds of acres of large lots in Hillsboro
- Hillsboro would have more land if it hadn’t squandered it on wasteful data centers 3. Residents will likely ultimately pay for a lot of the increased cost of water and infrastructure for this expansion
- We don’t need this much land: a similar facility in New York takes up just 73 acres 5. At stake is some of the best farmland in the world: it can grow anything while sequestering carbon and providing habitat.
- Intel should not receive more giveaways: Intel got $8.5 billion in federal CHIPS Act dollars this year and $800 million in state property tax breaks over 5 years, but is laying off 15% of its workforce. Intel’s success doesn’t depend on 373 acres of land.
- The process is undemocratic: There is only one hearing, details are posted only 1 week beforehand, and appeals are severely limited.
How to Give Testimony
The Governor needs to hear that this land grab is not only unnecessary and unwise, but unpopular. That’s where all of us come into play! Please give testimony in one or both ways outlined here: https://www.oregon.gov/biz/programs/SB4-10/Pages/default.aspx ● Verbally on Thursday Oct. 10
○ In Person at the Hillsboro Civic Center: Rally begins at 5pm, Testimony at 6-9pm
○ Via Zoom Meeting ID: 897 4548 8355, Password: 414356 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89745488355?pwd=vETvfyRIkYnKD0Jb04Mke SOTy0Ftw8.1
■ Phone: 1-253-215-8782 or 1-301-715-8592
- Written by October 30 at 5pm via email at Oregon.CHIPS@oregon.gov or by USPS to 900 Court Street Suite 255 Salem, OR 97301
- Also, sign our petition to the Governor: www.friendsofsmartgrowth.org/petition
Testimony Logistics
Written testimony
- Submit early!: While it will be accepted between October 3 and October 30 at 5pm, it is best to submit now.
- Where to send it:
○ Via email at Oregon.CHIPS@oregon.gov or
○ By USPS to 900 Court Street Suite 255 Salem, OR 97301. Send Early!!! ● How to format: You can write it directly into the email or write your testimony as a Word document and save it as a pdf that you attach in your email.
Verbal Testimony
Written testimony is amazing, it would be even more impactful to help us fill the room on October 10th 6-9 at the Hillsboro Civic Center, the one and only public hearing on this matter. You can read two to three minutes of your testimony or you can be there to support. Check out our facebook to see how we’ll be showing support for smart growth and democratic decision making. Like us on Facebook at “Friends of Smart Growth
I don’t know the term OSCIE, but your definition is known to me as OSAT
Google says: Oregon Semiconductor Center of Innovation Excellence (OSCIE)
I’m still trying to wrap my head around how competitive this is going to be. It’s hard to find much info on what the other states are offering online.
OR’s poor startup environment is something I hadn’t thought of. Really interesting to get a peek behind the scenes.
Will look forward to any additional emails the Herald gets!
I have only recently discovered the Herald and was intrigued by some of the dissenting opinions / articles written, especially around the topic of Hillsboro land, datacenters, etc.
I think it’s right to question the process, be skeptical of all the parties involved, etc.
But this piece is kind of just drama fluff and sensationalism .. seems like normal emails and communication that would be part of the process in any city and with any companies involved.
Well, other companies would not buy this land which is worth $15,000 an acre and not available for Industry. The fact is that when the Governor moves that line, the property in question moves up to $650K an acre or more. So a $2.5 Billion dollar fortune will be made by these land owners, and this move can only be done by the Governor. The rest of the nuanaces are that this is a first in Oregon history that one person can move this line and that that person created a law for the first time that no one can appeal or question this move. So we have Billions involved, we have a power move from a Monopolistic State government, and special deals being made. None of that is normal – all of that needs to be deeply investigated.
Great summary Dirk–thanks my head needed that. Agree!
Dirk,
Prior to 2014 much of the land in question here was designated as urban reserve. So it was once quite valuable property until in 2014 HB 4078 reversed metros designation of that 1700 acres of land as urban reserve and gave it the designation of rural reserve. Those land owners went from having land that was once worth over $100K an acre prior to 2014, to land that was worth as you suggest $15K an acre. You usually do a decent job researching your articles, you should at least reach out to the Northwest Hillsboro Alliance and get their side of the story on why this land ought to be placed within the urban growth boundary.
I am well aware of that. It was for residential future use. There are UGB expansion discussions coming up again in 2027 to 2030. This process has become so perverted by the State and City that it does not reflect anything like what Oregon does here. Beyond that, the NWHLA leader created a lot of this through political deal making, lobbying, etc. The Grand Bargain was based on a lie and land scam named “Project Azalea” and led to them being being moved out. There should eventually be homes along Evergreen. We don’t need more jobs and the environmental and housing issues caused by a 1,700 acre expansion for industrial is going to destroy our community. That land is worth about 30 per acre now and will go to 800k per acre. Not 100. So I am very aware of what your saying…. UGB expansions take decades. While imperfect the situation we have is the one created by our City who squandered so very much of our industrial lands and undesirable elements within the private sector. IMHO.
“Intel’s stock is plummeting to a 56-year low” <– ??? Maybe check your facts? That would be a false statement.
Woops – its actually worse than I thought. “On the 30th local time, Bloomberg, citing informed sources, reported that U.S. semiconductor giant Intel is working with investment banks such as Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to navigate what is described as the most challenging period in the company’s 56-year history.” and from Yahoo finance, “Intel Corporation INTC has plunged 55.8% year to date against the industry’s growth of 97.8%, lagging its peers Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. AMD and NVIDIA Corporation NVDA. Much of this underperformance is due to severe financial difficulties and operational challenges, which have forced management to undertake a comprehensive review of its businesses.” I will correct my note- A 56 year stock low is not as bad as that.
While I most certainly appreciate the time, effort, & superb in depth reporting by the “Herald” in posting all of this esoteric information, I’d rather cut to the chase.
In other words, it’s way PAST TIME that the City of Hillsboro’s elected leaders and hired staff including Danny Dias and Robby Hammond be confronted with a demand that they start coming clean with the citizens of Hillsboro. We’ve had enough of their shenanigans. IE: Lack of Transparency! Now Callaway, Danny, & Robby are taking “Secretive” junkets to Japan. Question: Did the Wives accompany them? Either way, show us the expense reports!
Sure Callaway is done in January, but sources suggest he’s not gonna go away. Think he’ll be hired by the City with a steep salary (xxx times what the Mayor is paid) as a “consultant.” And with the current crew of candidates it aint gonna get any better for us already overwhelmed citizens.
Take this to the bank, anytime “the City denies any meetings or knowledge” regarding anything you have sourced, they, the City is obfuscating the question. Please do not be naive…they are not “good people”!
Mike–I appreciate the cut to the chase!
Thanks Dirk–lots of time involved researching and trying to get responses I know!
Thinking of Hillsboro Public Works proposed Sewer and SWM (surface water management) excessive rate increases (hearing City Council next Tuesday–I have yet to see any public notice for!) — and wondering if they are wanting more money to have these Industrial sites “shovel ready”, with infrastructure in place already??
FYI: proposed increases of 8% sewer, 20% SWM. Clean water services (CWS) portion of these 2 divided services was only 4% last July–why so much more??? Hense my suspicions.