Following a series of setbacks — manufacturing layoffs, disappointing sales and missed opportunities for federal investment — Oregon's semiconductor industry finds itself in a period of uncertainty.

Why it matters: The semiconductor industry is a major economic driver for Oregon, and although the state has 1% of the country's population, it had 15% of its semiconductor workforce as of 2022.

The latest: Last week, the Biden administration chose Arizona for its third and final advanced packaging research and development site, funded by the CHIPS and Science Act — the nation's bid to compete with China on technology manufacturing.

• Oregon officials, including Gov. Tina Kotek and former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, made several petitions to the administration to bring a research hub here.
• Kotek even proposed to shift urban growth boundaries to accommodate a new facility — a move she walked back last month when hopes started to fade.
• New York and California will host the other two CHIPS R&D flagship facilities.

What they're saying: "It has been a blow, for sure," Tom Weller, who leads Oregon State's school of engineering and computer science, told Axios. "One of the biggest concerns is that without this opportunity, will attention and mind share go elsewhere?"

Meanwhile, Microchip shelved its $162 million deal with the federal government to expand its Gresham-based factory shortly after furloughing local workers due to a steep decline in sales revenue.

• "Probably, by the time I get my arms around it, we're into the new administration," Microchip CEO Steve Sanghi said about whether the company will pursue the deal again in the future, per Bloomberg.
• Intel, one of Oregon's largest employers, also faced a tough 2024. Despite securing $1.9 billion in federal subsidies, the chipmaker laid off 1,300 workers at its Hillsboro factories — the largest site in the company's portfolio — to cut costs.

Yes, but: It's not all bad news. Just this week, HP finalized a $53 million deal with the U.S. Commerce Department to invest in its Corvallis facilities.

• The new cash injection aims to create 150 temporary construction jobs and 100 full-time engineering roles.

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The last year has not been kind to the craft beer industry, and Oregon has not been immune.

Why it matters: Oregon has long been at the forefront of the craft beer trend, with several breweries enjoying national recognition, so a downturn for the industry can have ripple effects beyond your local pub.

By the numbers: Across the country, more breweries, taprooms and brewpubs closed than opened in 2024, per stats from the Brewers Association, a nonprofit trade group.

• At least 399 such facilities closed last year, compared to 335 openings.
• Craft beer production was down 2%, the group said.
• Oregon has lost nearly 75 breweries, taprooms or brewpubs since the pandemic, with 35 of those coming in just the last year.

Zoom in: Some of the closures last year took out heavy hitters in the industry.

• Cascade Brewing, which pioneered the "NW Sour," closed its brewpub on SE Belmont after 25 years following the death of founder Art Larrance.
• Gateway Brewing, run by husband-and-wife team Joel and Karen Sheley, decided to wind down their business after seeing trends in the industry.
• Mt. Tabor Brewing started as a two-person team brewing on the flanks of its namesake dormant volcano, but after several moves and different locations, sales fizzled and pandemic challenges proved too much to overcome.

Driving the news: Sam Pecoraro, president of the Oregon Brewers Guild and brewmaster of Von Ebert Brewing, said there were many reasons for the slowdown.

• "Between inflation, supply chain issues, employee shortages, a pandemic and a downward trend of drinking, these local businesses need the support of the public and lawmakers to survive," he said in a written statement.

Go deeper

✈️ Alaska Airlines will add new, daily nonstop flights from PDX to Eugene and Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport starting in May. (KGW)

🍜 Kayo's Ramen Bar (an Axios favorite!) recently opened a new location in Beaverton, located in the Cedar Hills Crossing mall. (The Oregonian)

🐐 The Belmont Goats are searching for a new home. The herd's lease in University Park expires in March, and the nonprofit is looking for at least half an acre where its 10 remaining aging goats can live out their final days. (KOIN)

The Portland Bureau of Transportation has five snowplows that have, sadly, been clearing the city's snowy streets unnamed.

Driving the news: To fix that problem, PBOT launched a naming contest and — after more than 3,000 entries from some 4,000 people — now's your chance to vote for your favorite of 20 finalists.

Zoom in: Aside from the mandatory "Plowy McPlowface" entry, the list includes some other witty nods to local institutions.

• You can vote for "Darcelle XV Snowplace," "Dave's Killer Sled" or "Meltnomah Falls."
• Looking for something with a little more word play? How about "Keep Portland Cleared" or "Gus Van Sand."

💭Kale's thought bubble: My personal favorite, due to its simplicity and nostalgia, is "Mr. Plow."

How it works: The vote will be ranked-choice, just like our last election, which PBOT is billing as an "opportunity to practice."

What's next: Voting runs through Jan. 22 with winners announced the week of Feb. 3.