‘Humbling opportunity:’ SK hynix sets community meetings after $3.87B plans run into neighborhood protest

Official with South Korean semiconductor giant tells West Lafayette City Council the company should have done more to tell its story, its plans to the community earlier. Rezoning delayed for a month

• Support for this edition of Based in Lafayette comes from Wintek Business Solutions. At Wintek Business Solutions, we never settle for simple, stagnant or the status quo. Your successful business certainly hasn’t settled for that. Neither should your expectations for those you trust to build your business network. Wintek’s consultative partnership delivers solutions for businesses of all sizes that fit your needs, budgets and logistics. Consultative partnership is just one of the ways Wintek builds your business network the way it should be. Begin building your solution today. Call 765-742-8428 or visit wintekbusiness.com.

---

SK HYNIX SETS COMMUNITY MEETINGS AFTER $3.87B PLANS RUN INTO NEIGHBORHOOD PROTEST

An official with SK hynix, the South Korean company readying a $3.87 billion advanced chip packaging facility in the Purdue Research Park, told West Lafayette City Council members Thursday that neighborhood pushback on a zoning plan two weeks ago was a “humbling opportunity” for the company.

“SK hynix now understands that we should have taken a more proactive approach and sooner to engage with our community,” N.K. Kim, a senior vice president with the semiconductor giant, told city council members.

Kim’s comments came just before the city council unanimously agreed to grant SK hynix and Purdue Research Foundation a one-month delay, until May 5, before a final vote on a request to rezone 121 acres north of Kalberer Road for industrial use on property the company has targeted for its chip packaging facility.

NK Kim, a vice president with SK hynix, and Chris Shelmon, a Lafayette-based attorney, address the West Lafayette City Council Thursday afternoon. (Photo: Dave Bangert)

Kim said the delay will give SK hynix a chance to hold a series of community meetings, starting with one at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 11, at the Convergence Center at Purdue. Two others will be scheduled after that, he said.

“As we engage with the public, our education efforts will focus on clarifying our safety, health and development processes,” Kim said. “We’ll also provide more background on SK hynix, who we are and our positive track record and the financial impact of the project. …