Intel to invest $7 billion in upgrades

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 10 (UPI) -- U.S. microchip giant Intel said it would invest $7 billion on factory upgrades in order to produce new, 32-nanometer circuitry.

The new chip improves on the 45-nanometer circuitry currently in production, the (Portland, Ore.) Oregonian reported Tuesday.

The two-year investment includes work on production sites in New Mexico, Arizona and Oregon, where it is the state's largest for-profit employer with 15,000 workers, the newspaper said.

Intel said it would close down an outdated facility in Hillsboro, Ore., called Fab 20, where 1,000 workers are employed.

While some could lose their jobs, the company said some could switch over to the new 32-nanometer production facility, the newspaper said.