Korea-based Samsung Electronics plans to close its old Austin, Texas DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) fab in October for upgrade and renovation, EE Times reported on August 14, 2009. Along with the upgrade project, it is reported that Samsung has begun letting go a total of 552 employees from its Austin subsidiary. Personnel affected include engineers, supervisors, managers, technicians, and administrative workers, according to an Austin American-Statesman report on August 19. Samsung plans to spend approximately US$500 million on upgrading the 200mm DRAM fab to a 300mm plant, and the project is slated for commencement in late 2009 or early 2010. Samsung Austin Semiconductor has already shed 20 jobs so far this year due to reorganization. Currently the company has two production facilities in Austin. Aside from the 200mm DRAM fab due to shut down for renovation, Samsung has another 300mm NAND flash plant in operation.