Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1513227
68 PCB007 MAGAZINE I DECEMBER 2023 Congress to fully fund the DPA accounts, mak- ing sure our men and women in uniform have reliable access to next-generation systems built right here at home. 2 In April, the Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates (PCBS) Act was reintro- duced with bipartisan support by U.S. Reps. Blake Moore and Anna Eshoo. is legislation creates a $3 billion fund—like the CHIPS Act— designed to give American companies the cap- ital to build new factories, hire new work- ers, and expand capacity. Additionally, on the demand side, the PCBS Act creates a 25% tax credit for the buyers of American-made PCBs and substrates. 3 In June, as part of our annual meeting, PCBAA took our message directly to pol- icymakers, spending two days with senior offi- cials from the departments of Commerce and Defense. We also visited dozens of members of Congress representing the 26 states where you can still find microelectronics manufac- turing. Our message was clear: Investments in semiconductors are an important first step, but "chips don't float." e government must act to support the rest of the technology stack and restore needed capacity to the entire micro- electronics ecosystem. 4 In November, Calumet Electronics and TTM Technologies announced signifi- cant expansions of their domestic PCB and substrate facilities, in partnership with Michi- gan and New York. ese investments by some of PCBAA's founding members demonstrate that American PCB companies are willing to innovate and lead the charge to build more on our shores. 5 In December (we hope), Congress will pass and send to the President the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the bill that directs the actions of the Pen- tagon. e NDAA contains language which directs the Department of Defense to identify and remove microelectronics originating in adversary nations that we know are present in our commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) supply chains. It has been a busy 12 months, and much work lies ahead if we are to recapture Ameri- ca's microelectronics leadership. e PCBAA believes in and fights for mar- ket fairness and a level playing field on which U.S. PCB and substrate manufacturers can compete and win. Next year is the year to join our effort by visiting us online or contacting me directly. PCB007 Travis Kelly is CEO of Isola- Group and current chairman of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America. To read past columns, click here.