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Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College students helped the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) develop a comprehensive inventory of semiconductor incentives after the CHIPS and Science Act.

This inventory aids GAO in evaluating the impact of $50 billion in federal semiconductor investments. The project revealed that state incentive spending does not directly correlate with the establishment of semiconductor facilities, highlighting complex factors such as industry presence and workforce capacity. The experience provided practical insights into public policy analysis, particularly under real-world constraints, including a federal government shutdown that limited communication.