Amid rising geopolitical competition and growing concerns over technological sovereignty, the United States is pursuing a dual strategy to maintain its leadership in semiconductor innovation—combining protective measures such as export and investment controls with proactive investments in domestic R&D. At the center of this effort is the National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines program, which has established the Florida Semiconductor Engine (FSE) as a key hub for advancing next-generation semiconductor technologies, particularly in advanced packaging.

In this article, Washington CORE explores the strategic significance of the FSE through an interview with Dr. Jeffrey Alexander of RTI International, whose team evaluated the Engine’s early progress. The discussion highlights how regional innovation ecosystems like Florida’s NeoCity are reshaping industrial policy, accelerating commercialization, and strengthening U.S. economic security in an increasingly competitive global semiconductor landscape.