Lattice Materials Awarded $31.5 Million for Expansion in Montana

The manufacturer of custom-grown silicon and germanium crystals plans to create 50 new jobs in Bozeman.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Lattice Materials, a manufacturer of custom-grown silicon and germanium crystals and machined components, has been awarded $31.5 million to expand its operations in Bozeman, Montana. The company will construct a new 80,000-square-foot facility to support increased demand for its products, which are critical for aerospace and defense industries.

Why it matters

This expansion will help strengthen the domestic supply chain for high-performance optical components, reducing reliance on foreign sources. It also demonstrates Montana's growing role as a hub for advanced manufacturing and materials science, supported by government investment.

The details

Lattice Materials plans to create 50 new jobs over the next three years as part of the expansion. The $31.5 million in funding includes an $18.5 million investment from the Department of War. The new facility will support Lattice's crystal growth, machining, and polishing capabilities to serve customers in the aerospace and defense industries.

  • Lattice Materials plans to construct the new 80,000-square-foot facility in Bozeman, Montana.
  • The expansion project is expected to create 50 new jobs over the next three years.

The players

Lattice Materials

A manufacturer specializing in custom-grown silicon and germanium crystals and machined components.

Travis Wood

The president of Lattice Materials.

Greg Gianforte

The governor of Montana.

Department of War

The government agency that provided an $18.5 million investment to support Lattice Materials' expansion.

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What they’re saying

“This new facility marks a pivotal step in our growth as global demand accelerates for high-performance, U.S.-manufactured germanium optics, driven by increased defense investment.”

— Travis Wood, President of Lattice Materials (Area Development)

“Montana is proud to be home to Lattice Materials as a leading manufacturer of germanium and silicon critical for the semiconductor industry. The investment from the Department of War has led to this important expansion and will create more good-paying jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign nations for critical minerals.”

— Greg Gianforte, Governor of Montana (Area Development)

What’s next

Lattice Materials plans to begin construction on the new 80,000-square-foot facility in Bozeman in the coming months, with the goal of completing the project and hiring the 50 new employees within the next three years.

The takeaway

This expansion by Lattice Materials demonstrates Montana's growing role as a hub for advanced manufacturing and materials science, supported by strategic government investments. The new facility will help strengthen the domestic supply chain for critical optical components, reducing reliance on foreign sources and supporting the aerospace and defense industries.