How NVIDIA and Corning are Creating US Supply Chains

NVIDIA and Corning have disclosed a multi-year agreement focused on optical connectivity manufacturing in the US.

The partnership could reshape domestic production capacity for data centre infrastructure components.

According to the announcement, the deal includes three new manufacturing sites expected to generate more than 3,000 jobs.

NVIDIA characterises the technology as necessary for what it terms next-generation AI infrastructure.

US manufacturing capacity expansion

Corning plans to increase its US optical connectivity manufacturing capacity by 10 times. The company also intends to expand its US fibre production capacity by more than 50%.

The buildout responds to accelerating demand from AI data centre construction. Corning attributes the expansion requirement to what it describes as AI factory deployments.

The three new facilities will be located in North Carolina and Texas. Corning states the expanded capacity will supply optical connectivity for hyperscale data centres deploying NVIDIA's accelerated computing systems.

According to Corning, the infrastructure supports thousands of NVIDIA GPUs that require high volumes of optical fibre and photonics to transfer data. NVIDIA says optical connectivity becomes a more important infrastructure component as AI facilities scale.

Supply chain localisation efforts

Jensen Huang, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of NVIDIA, says: "AI is driving the largest infrastructure buildout of our time and a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinvigorate American manufacturing and supply chains.

"Together with Corning, we are inventing the future of computing with advanced optical technologies, building the foundation for AI infrastructure where intelligence moves at the speed of light while advancing the proud tradition of Made in America."

The partnership builds on Corning's existing US manufacturing expansion. In January 2026, Corning signed a multi-year agreement with Meta valued at US$6bn to supply optical fibre, cable and connectivity solutions.

Corning expanded manufacturing operations in North Carolina to support its Meta agreement. The NVIDIA partnership extends that earlier supply chain investment.

Financial and market response

According to The Wall Street Journal, NVIDIA is investing US$500m in Corning as part of the partnership. Corning's stock rose 17% following the announcement.

Corning developed low cost optical fibre in the 1970s. The company says its optical fibre products now face increased demand during the AI data centre construction cycle.

Wendell P Weeks, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Corning, says: "What NVIDIA is doing is nothing short of extraordinary, not just for the future of artificial intelligence, but for the American advanced manufacturing workforce.

"Their commitment is directly fuelling the expansion of our US manufacturing footprint and creating more than 3,000 new, high-paying jobs for American workers."

"This partnership is proof that AI is not just a technology story. It is a manufacturing story and it is happening here in the US."

"Together with NVIDIA, we are ensuring the critical technologies powering AI are invented, engineered and built in America."

The agreement positions both companies to secure domestic supply chains for optical connectivity components. The expansion could reduce dependency on offshore manufacturing for data centre infrastructure materials.