After another round of delays, Intel's Licking County project timeline now appears to be at odds with promises the company made to the state of Ohio.

Why it matters: Intel has already received hundreds of millions of dollars from the state for the construction of its planned $20 billion semiconductor factory.

• If Intel's new projections are accurate, Ohio can decide whether to claw back funds or amend the agreement.

Follow the money: In 2023, Ohio agreed to a $600 million onshoring grant funding the construction of two chip factories. The state disbursed the money three months later, setting a project deadline of Dec. 31, 2028.

• Ohio also committed to a $300 million water reclamation grant, a $475 million Job Creation Tax Credit and about $300 million in road and infrastructure work.
• New Albany is also spending $180 million on infrastructure for Intel, and the federal CHIPS Act provided $7.86 billion for various Intel projects, $2.2 billion of which has already been distributed.

State of play: Despite that 2028 deadline, Intel's latest timeline announcement explicitly says it plans to complete its production facilities, or "fabs," in 2030 and 2031, respectively.

• The company cited a need to "align the start of production of our fabs with the needs of our business and broader market demand."

Between the lines: Department of Development spokesperson Mason Waldvogel confirms to Axios that Intel has received the full $600 million for construction, but has not yet received water reclamation and tax credit funds.

What they're saying: Neither Intel nor state officials have an explanation for the timeline discrepancy.

• Waldvogel says Intel has not requested to amend its agreement and has until a year before the required deadline to do so.
• "While Intel has indicated a later completion date, construction timelines are estimates and can be moved up."

Intel spokesperson Eleonora Akopyan declined to answer Axios' questions about the timeline.

• Instead, she pointed to language in the announcement that says Intel is "maintaining the flexibility to accelerate work and the start of operations if customer demand warrants."

Amid project delays and company uncertainty, work is still ongoing at the Ohio One site.

Driving the news: Intel released new drone footage showcasing the massive scope of construction, which is reshaping not just New Albany, but the whole region.

By the numbers: Intel says crews have already worked more than 6.4 million hours on the project.

• Waldvogel tells Axios that Ohioans from 83 counties and 430 Ohio companies have worked on the project.

As a whole, Intel promised to create 7,000 construction jobs in addition to 3,000 permanent full-time jobs, and $405 million in annual payroll.

Could you swear your allergies weren't always this bad? The data backs you up.

How it works: Since 1970, warmer temperatures have led to better plant growth, and thus the release of more sneeze-inducing pollen.

• Climate Central measures allergy season as the number of days between the last freeze each spring and the first freeze each fall.

The big picture: In Columbus, that time period has lengthened by 27 days between 1970-2024, meaning a longer and more intense allergy season.

• Though our allergy season has increased long-term, it's actually shortened slightly over the past few years.

What's next: The season usually starts around the end of April in Central Ohio, so start stocking up on tissues and antihistamines now.

Go deeper: Allergy season is getting longer — blame climate change

👋 Alissa here. Months after opening its doors, the hype surrounding Firefly Winery hasn't died down.

Case in point: My friends and I thought we could easily grab a table on a Friday at 5pm.

• 😬 … cue an hour wait.
• (I guess "summer Fridays" are year-round!)

The vibe: Once we finally got in, it made sense. Indoor seating is limited, but cozy — perfect for grazing and sipping a while.

• The winery has a large patio and is located in Hilliard's outdoor drinking zone, so it'll likely accommodate bigger crowds in warmer months.

Zoom in: We split a charcuterie board ($24) and I ordered a flight of four sweet wines, with two-ounce pours ($13), the Firefly Salad with sherry vinaigrette ($10), and four chocolate truffles for dessert ($9).

• The peach wine was my favorite. The others were less memorable.

Best bites: The truffles! They're tiny, but tremendously rich, and topped with a wine-infused chocolate drizzle. Honestly, all the food was great.

The bottom line: Although I went for the wine, I'll probably return for the food and the vibes.

Stop by: 5435 Franklin St., Hilliard. Hours and menu.

Share this story and see a photo of the truffles

We're so thankful to our members for their support of our work through their contribution to our newsroom.

If you join as an Axios Columbus member, you'll get insider notes from the team, birthday shoutouts in the newsletter and other perks.

• Plus, you'll be part of our growth and ensure that our news is always free and accessible to the community.

We're grateful for your trust and continued readership.

👋 Alissa again, with one parting pro tip inspired by our recent street names story.

Context: As an "Alissa with an i," I was never the kid who found her name on a gift shop keychain or magnet — But hey, at least I have my own lane!

What I found: It's on the Far East Side of Columbus, between Gahanna and Reynoldsburg. (And off a busy road with no nearby parking, so it wasn't safely selfie accessible.)

• Alas, the Alyssas still win the popularity contest, as there's an Alyssa Drive in both Pickerington and Powell.

💭 My thought bubble: If you're also someone with a uniquely spelled name, try searching Google Maps for local roadways that may brighten your day.