The Colorado CHIPS Community Support Program, introduced by the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), is part of the broader CHIPS and Science Act aimed at expanding the semiconductor and advanced industry sectors across the United States. While Colorado, particularly its Front Range region, is already a hub for semiconductor manufacturing and design, the program’s goal is to distribute the benefits of this growth to other areas within the state, fostering development in regions outside the core technology clusters. To achieve this, the program offers three types of competitive grants: Market Study, Implementation, and Marketing Grants.

The Market Study Grants provide funding for local governments or regional organizations to conduct an in-depth analysis of their areas' assets, gaps, and potential for growth in the semiconductor and advanced industry sectors. These grants, ranging from $25,000 to $50,000, will allow communities to define their competitive positioning. Implementation Grants, which range from $100,000 to $500,000, are available to fund projects that develop critical infrastructure or address gaps needed to strengthen local ecosystems for semiconductor businesses. Marketing Grants, offering $10,000 to $25,000, support promotional efforts to increase awareness of Colorado regions as viable locations for advanced industry investment.

Eligibility for these grants is restricted to Colorado-based municipal, county, and tribal governments, as well as regional economic development organizations or consortia. A key aspect of the program is its emphasis on spreading growth beyond the established semiconductor areas, such as Fort Collins, Boulder, and Colorado Springs. Applications from these regions are ineligible for the Market Study and Implementation Grants and will score lower in the Marketing Grant evaluations, which prioritize rural areas and regions with emerging industry clusters. The program’s total funding is $3.75 million, to be distributed over four application cycles through 2025.

The program’s first application cycle, running from April 29, 2024, to May 31, 2024, focuses on Market Study and Marketing Grants. A total of $375,000 will be awarded during this cycle, with $250,000 allocated for market studies and $125,000 for marketing activities. The second cycle, which will also include Implementation Grants, will begin on July 1, 2024, and will have a total of $1.375 million available. Each grant cycle will operate on a reimbursement basis, with successful applicants required to submit progress reports quarterly and annually, as well as a final report at the project’s conclusion.

Applications will be evaluated on criteria such as location, project readiness, and potential impact. The program prioritizes projects in regions with less semiconductor industry presence, particularly rural areas, and those that present well-developed, ready-to-execute plans. Communities are encouraged to be creative in their proposals, particularly for Implementation Grants, where projects could range from infrastructure improvements to workforce development initiatives. Successful applicants will enter into a grant agreement with OEDIT, outlining timelines, deliverables, and payment schedules, with most payments made through reimbursement.

This program presents a strategic opportunity for Colorado communities outside of the traditional semiconductor hubs to attract investment and participate in the state’s growing semiconductor ecosystem. Through these grants, local governments and economic organizations can assess their competitiveness, implement key infrastructure improvements, and position themselves as attractive locations for future semiconductor and advanced industry growth.