JOHNSTOWN, Ohio – A big economic boom is coming Ohio’s way, but news of Intel’s delay spread quickly across Licking County.
What You Need To Know
- Intel announced a delay in the construction of its $20 Billion semiconductor plant in Licking County
- Despite the delay, small businesses in Johnstown have already experienced some changes from the plant
- The delay is giving cities in Licking County more time to prepare for the influx of people coming
- The delays are expected to push the completion of the Intel project to late 2026
Tiffany Hollis owns Dashing Diner in Johnstown.
“It’s my favorite,” she said. “We became the nucleus. I guess it’s where all of the conversations happen.”
Hollis has lived in Johnstown all her life, and she knows change is coming. But while the Licking County community prepares for a $20 billion semiconductor facility, Intel announced a delay in the project.
Despite the delay, Hollis said change is already here.
“The construction site is extremely active,” she said. “The construction workers are still coming in. We’re catering lunches for Intel.”
The delay comes as no surprise to Mayor Donny Barnard.
“How the supply chain has kind of slowed down around the world with COVID, it’s been kind of expected,” he said.
It’s giving the city time to prepare.
“This was a big boom on our doorstep,” Barnard said. “You’ve got to look at the bright side of this. It gives us more time to plan, look for businesses that are going to come in and be part of the city of Johnstown.”
The mayor shared the city’s plans.
“We’re doing many different things,” he said. “We have partnered with a very large strategic planning firm looking at how we can best prepare our city for the future. We’re using a lot of experts, looking at many different cities in the area, cities outside of this area.”
Back at the diner, Hollis remains open-minded at what’s to come.
“In the beginning, you do want to kick and scream and fight, and you think like, ‘I’m going to dig my heels in, and it’s not going to happen to our town’,” she said. “But growth and change isn’t always a bad thing. It’s up to us to make the most of it.”
The delays are expected to push the completion of the Intel project to late 2026.
