[West Rapier (Indiana, U.S.) = E-Daily Seong Joowon Correspondent] West Rapier, a college town in the U.S. Midwest with a population of approximately 45,000, is transforming into a cutting-edge semiconductor hub following the construction of SK hynix’s high-bandwidth memory (HBM) production facility. The project is expected to create more than 7,000 jobs, spanning factory construction, production, R&D, and partner companies. Efforts are also underway to build an industrial ecosystem where semiconductor talent from the prestigious local Purdue University will settle in the area and where materials, components, and equipment companies will gather.

According to SK hynix on the 27th (local time), approximately 3,100 construction workers are expected to be deployed during the construction of the Indiana Advanced Packaging Fab. Once mass production begins in the second half of 2029, the company will directly hire about 1,000 employees in the fields of production, engineering, and next-generation R&D.
Employment benefits through partner companies are also expected. SK hynix(000660)is currently discussing the establishment of a local supply chain with about 100 partner companies specializing in materials, parts, and equipment. The company anticipates that these partners and related industries will generate more than 3,000 indirect jobs. Combined with construction and both direct and indirect employment, the total number of jobs will exceed 7,000.
Given that West Rapier has a population of approximately 45,000, this is a significant scale. By simple comparison, the projected number of direct and indirect jobs accounts for about 16% of the city’s population. SK hynix expects this investment to serve as a catalyst for transforming Indiana from a traditional manufacturing hub into a cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor packaging hub.

From Purdue University Labs to the SK Fab… Cultivating Local Talent as Well

The impact on the local economy extends beyond the number of jobs. SK hynix is establishing an industry-academia collaboration model that integrates research, talent development, and recruitment in partnership with Purdue University—one of the key reasons for choosing West Rappie.
Purdue University is home to the largest semiconductor back-end cleanroom among U.S. universities and conducts research on next-generation semiconductors and nanotechnology centered around the Birck Nanotechnology Center.
SK hynix has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Purdue University for advanced packaging R&D and will jointly research next-generation HBM and system-in-package (SiP) technologies. The plan is to create a virtuous cycle by validating technologies developed in university laboratories through actual fab processes and hiring top engineering talent from Purdue University as local engineers.
SK hynix plans to expand its collaboration beyond Purdue University to include major universities and research institutions in the U.S. Midwest. The company will also establish an advanced packaging R&D testbed at its Indiana fab to develop and validate memory solutions tailored to future AI demands.

From Schools and Playgrounds to Home Construction… “As a Neighbor in the Community”

The company is also expanding its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities that directly engage with

the local community

. SK hynix provided $260,000 (approximately 360 million won) in support to local schools and donated an additional $60,000 to improve playground safety at local elementary schools.
The company has also stepped up to support vulnerable groups in need of housing. It participated in a house-building volunteer activity organized by the nonprofit housing welfare organization Habitat for Humanity and donated $10,000.
The company is also promoting a recruitment program that leverages the historical ties between Korea and Indiana. SK hynix is participating in the “Recruitment Program for Discharged U.S. Forces in Korea,” in collaboration with the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation, which connects U.S. military personnel who have served in Korea and are being discharged with Korean companies operating in the United States.
According to SK, approximately 140,000 people from Indiana served in the Korean War. SK hynix envisions extending this historical connection into industrial and employment opportunities. In particular, SK hynix plans to expand its cooperation in hiring U.S. military veterans from Korea following their service, using the construction of the Indiana fab as a catalyst.
Kwak No-jeong, President and CEO of SK hynix, emphasized, “The Indiana fab will serve as the linchpin driving the next-generation AI memory ecosystem and a milestone for mutual growth as we thrive alongside the local community,” adding, “We will create sustainable value as the most trusted partner of the local community.”