Arizona’s boom in manufacturing plants

Arizona’s manufacturing sector is on a big-time upswing. In fact, there’s such a boom in or state that President Biden visited Arizona to tour a massive new computer chip manufacturing plant under construction in North Phoenix. That plant is part of a $40 billion investment in Arizona from the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).

The President’s visit came on the heels of his signing major legislation this summer to encourage companies to make more chips here in the United States.

For more details on the plant and the boom in manufacturing around the state, we talked to Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority.

How important is this?

“It’s an incredible opportunity for Arizona; we made the initial announcement in 2020. This has been an incredible team effort with the federal government, state government, City of Phoenix, GPEC, the ACA and so many of our partners working together,” said Watson.

“Governor Doug Ducey played a significant and instrumental role in making sure that Arizona’s businesses climate is conducive to this type of expansion,” explained Watson.

Why did the company chose Arizona?

“Here in Arizona we got a thriving semi-conductor industry; we have for many, many years. Intel continues to invest and they announced just recently $20 billion investment in a new expansion,” said Watson.

“Arizona has always had a strong semi-conductor industry, and our policies are conducive to the growth of the industry. Here in Arizona we have the workforce needed for the industry to thrive,” explained Watson.

Why did they chose the I-17 and 303?

“It’s a great area. If you think about that area now and the opportunity for growth, their residential is building up in that area. We’re seeing commercial activity in that area. There was a large parcel of land; they needed 1,000 acres in order to begin their construction,” explained Watson.

“We have always done a great job at managing our water, so we can continue growth and still manage our water effectively,” said Watson.

Transcript:

Arizona's manufacturing sector is on a big-time upswing. In fact, there's such a boom in or state that President Biden visited Arizona to tour a massive new computer chip manufacturing plant under construction in North Phoenix.