Weld County sets proposed CHIPS Zone boundaries for state application

Weld County commissioners approved boundaries for a proposed CHIPS Zone, mostly in unincorporated Weld County, to submit to the state for consideration.

The proposed boundaries include a parcel along I-25, a presenter told commissioners. One proposed zone area includes both unincorporated land and parts of the town of Mead.

The program offers a refundable tax credit to applicants creating economic development projects in a CHIPS Zone. That allows Colorado to provide “significant incentives” for projects involving “large job creation, large investment,” the presenter said.

Eligible semiconductor work includes fabrication and advanced packaging, as well as research and development of semiconductor materials or manufacturing equipment, the presenter said. Colorado expanded eligibility in the past year to include quantum computing and aerospace industries, the presenter said.

The application requires each affected municipality to provide a resolution concurring with the proposed zone, the presenter said. A resolution from Mead was also being sought for future consideration because light-industrial parcels had been identified in the proposed zone, the presenter said.