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Intel’s announcement that the company will be sinking billions of dollars into its Hillsboro campus has construction workers rejoicing across the state and the region. But even beyond the impact this single investment – or as I like to call it, Intel‘s stimulus package – will have on the industry, some are saying it’s just the tip of the iceberg.

I’ve been receiving calls from various people explaining to me that in the tech world, Intel is, always has been and always will be the first domino.

The tech industry, and more specifically the chip manufacturing industry, is very competitive. And when a company like Intel makes that sort of an investment – and it gets the coverage that the company has received – it’s going to set off a chain reaction.

A few people have already told me that they’ve been contacted by companies like Wafertech, SCH America and Linear Technology in the Vancouver area, as well Microchip Technology in Gresham. All of the companies have been looking into possibly expanding their operations since rumors started surfacing in August about Intel’s plans.

“Big or small, every company has to do something when a company like Intel makes an announcement like that,” one person in the construction industry told me with excitement in his voice. “There’s no doubt about it.”

I have calls in to each of the tech companies I mentioned, but haven’t received confirmation of any projects yet. If even a few were to come to fruition, it would be great news for the construction industry. , according to the Oregon Labor Market Information System.

The Intel project in Hillsboro alone could put nearly 6,000 construction workers to work. There were 65,900 construction workers employed in the state last month.

While this is all only speculation right now, so was the Intel project for nearly three months. Stay tuned to the Daily Journal of Commerce for more developments on this budding trend.