Intel’s announcement this week that it will further slow construction on its major Ohio chip plants has sent ripples through the region, but not everyone is panicking — at least, not truck driver Steve Roberts, who’s been hauling dirt and gravel from the sprawling site. “It hurts us just a little, but right now, there’s plenty of work,” Roberts said, underscoring that while plans have shifted, his workload remains steady — a result, he says, of the monumental amount of earth already moved for the project. RELATED: Intel announces it will be 'further slowing construction' in Ohio This story is part of 10TV's "Boomtown" initiative — our commitment to covering every angle of central Ohio's rapid growth. This includes highlighting success stories, shining a light on growing pains and seeking solutions to issues in your everyday life. Intel’s plans for its two advanced semiconductor fabrication plants in Licking County have seen a series of setbacks. Originally slated to open as early as 2025, the Ohio “Silicon Heartland” campus is now not expected to come online until 2030 or 2031. This most recent slowdown is part of what the company calls a necessary effort to “align spending with market demand,” after new CEO Lip-Bu Tan launched a sweeping restructuring that includes a reduction of more than 25,000 jobs globally this year alone. Intel gave the following statement to 10TV: "Intel is committed to advancing U.S. technology and manufacturing leadership, and Ohio One remains an important part of our long-term plans to expand leading-edge manufacturing on U.S. soil. We are taking the necessary steps to put our foundry business on a more financially sustainable path going forward. Based on the progress we have made in Ohio, we continue to have flexibility to accelerate work based on customer demand.” Industry watchers attribute these persistent delays to a combination of shifting leadership, political headwinds and the fast-changing nature of the global chip business, particularly as artificial intelligence demands ripple through supply chains. “A lot of problems with Intel are self-inflicted,” said Joe Albano, lead analyst at Tech Cache. Mike Demler, a semiconductor technology analyst and strategic consultant, told 10TV he’s skeptical the Ohio operation will ever reach full completion. “I have my doubts that it’s going to even ever open. It would take a major change in direction for Intel.” Despite these doubts and the turmoil for Intel’s workforce, some analysts believe the slowdown is a rational business move given lackluster demand for certain chips and ongoing supply challenges. “If they are not able to have the demand they need, this is the decision they’ve come to,” Albano said. A spokesperson for the city of New Albany sent 10TV a statement saying, "The company called us yesterday ahead of their second-quarter financial results release. They reaffirmed their commitment to the project on the call." "Intel has reaffirmed its commitment to Ohio, and the City of New Albany remains encouraged by the company’s continued investment in our region," the statement reads. "We continue to follow Intel’s strategic decisions closely and remain committed to supporting the Ohio One campus in New Albany and the role it will play in driving innovation, job creation and economic opportunity in our region." Intel insists the Ohio One site remains “an important part” of the company’s long-term domestic manufacturing plans. The company continues to process heavy machinery deliveries and maintain a workforce on site, even as uncertainty grows about when, or if, the project will be fully realized. In 2022, the Biden administration touted Intel’s investment as a boon for the U.S. industry following the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act, which has provided billions of dollars in incentives to chipmakers for project funding. Intel received $7.9 billion in CHIPS funding to support its fabrication expansion in Arizona, New Mexico and Oregon, with $1.5 billion going directly to its Ohio One project in November 2024. For workers like Roberts, the focus is on the day to day. Asked if all this makes him nervous, he just shrugged off concerns: “Doesn’t make you nervous?" "Nah — plenty of dirt still to move.”