TECHNOLOGY - March 13, 1996

Taiwan Firm to Build Chip Plant in Washington: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. said it will build the $1.2-billion plant in Camas, across the Columbia River from Portland, Ore. When fully operational, the plant is expected to produce 32,000 computer chips a month. Plans call for the plant to open in 1998 with a work force of 250, with the number rising to 800 by 2000. Washington last year authorized a program that exempts manufacturers from paying sales taxes on the purchase of machinery and equipment used in manufacturing; the company said the break was a factor in its choosing Washington over Oregon. TSMC had revenue of more than $1 billion last year. It is the second chip maker in the last few months to choose Washington for a plant. Intel Corp. announced in September that it would build a $3.5-billion plant in Pierce County.