The marvel of the Manhattan project, including Hanford and Oak ridge, was the singular focus and short time scale but not necessarily the absolute size.
If we consider just ASML, (the main) supplier of only the EUV machines (and accessories) for manufacturing chips (they don't run the fabs, they just build and maintain the equipment), they also directly employ 42,000 people and utilize another 5,000 tier 1 suppliers. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASML_Holding
That's just the ONE business to make the machines to make the chips, that doesnt include all the folks who make the chips! If we count just one of their customers (TSMC) that's another 70,000+ employees!
National projects are impressive for different reasons than whole industries.
If we consider just ASML, (the main) supplier of only the EUV machines (and accessories) for manufacturing chips (they don't run the fabs, they just build and maintain the equipment), they also directly employ 42,000 people and utilize another 5,000 tier 1 suppliers. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASML_Holding
That's just the ONE business to make the machines to make the chips, that doesnt include all the folks who make the chips! If we count just one of their customers (TSMC) that's another 70,000+ employees!
National projects are impressive for different reasons than whole industries.