Arizona

Arizona is poised for further momentum after TSMC, Intel and other semiconductor victories

Published

2 years ago

May 6, 2024

Arizona is poised for further momentum after TSMC, Intel and other semiconductor victories

Arizona, over the past three years, has scored some huge victories in luring major semiconductor investments to the state, including a major Intel Corp. expansion in Chandler and the construction of three new factories in north Phoenix by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.

Could all this be the prelude to an even bigger second act?

“There is critical mass — that’s the opportunity we have now in Arizona,” said Brian Harrison, president of TSMC Arizona. “We have a great opportunity to do even more in the next 10 years.”

Harrison described how the company’s factories or fabs in Taiwan have become hubs around which chemical suppliers, tool-equipment makers and other businesses have clustered. His comments came during a “Silicon Desert” forum hosted by EMD Electronics, which supplies equipment and provides testing services to semiconductor customers in Arizona and elsewhere.

The demand for semiconductors remains on a growth track, fueled by consumer products such as cellphones and computers, automobiles, data centers, and pretty much every other modern electrical device or industry. Artificial intelligence has provided new impetus.

A rising percentage of chips now are manufactured abroad, mainly in Taiwan, and reversing that trend has been the thrust of the CHIPS & Science Act of 2022. Under that legislation, the U.S. Commerce Department so far this year has awarded up to $8.5 billion in grants to Intel and $6.5 billion to TSMC, along with $162 million to Chandler-based Microchip Technology and other recipients.

Semiconductor manufacturers are using that money, combined with pledges for billions of dollars more in low-rate federal loans, to leverage their own investments.

TSMC’s planned Arizona investments have risen to $65 billion, along with $20 billion in recent new commitments by Intel. Those have helped to boost total semiconductor investments in Arizona to more than $100 million over the past four years, said Sandra Watson, president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority and another speaker at the forum hosted by EMD Electronics, a business of German science and technology giant Merck KGaA.

Planning began before passage of key federal legislation

Arizona has fared well lately in this regard partly because of advance planning, Watson said. In 2021, a year before the CHIPS Act was enacted, the Commerce Authority brought together more than 50 industry leaders from various states, along with educational institutions such as Arizona State University and others, to develop a strategy. “We were able to establish a very strong plan,” Watson said, with collaboration the key.

Harrison echoed that sentiment and noted that TSMC considered many other locations in various states for its factories or fabs. Many of these other places had “different factions with their own vague agendas,” he said, rather than a unified gameplan like Arizona. “Everyone has water and roads,” he quipped.

More Arizona-focused technology announcements will be forthcoming, said Watson and Sean Fogarty, vice president of international business development at the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.

“We have a healthy pipeline of prospects” that are considering expansion here, with foreign businesses representing about one-third of those companies, Fogarty said.

Arizona already features a deep supplier base, a pro-business environment, favorable tax policies and an expanding workforce, Fogarty said. All that complements an educational system that is ramping up to funnel workers into the industry, from engineers at Arizona State University and the University of Arizona to technicians receiving training through the Maricopa Community College system and other programs. In addition, Arizona continues to add population, with many of the newcomers in the prime 18-to-44 working-age group, Fogarty said.

The power to make chip-expansion happen

Another critical consideration is the electricity to power these new industrial complexes, as well as related industries such as data centers, of which metro Phoenix now has one of the highest concentrations in the Western Hemisphere.

The EMD Electronics conference included assurances from both of the major electric utilities operating around metro Phoenix that power will be available when expansions get up and running.

“We are aggressively (adding) new resources over the next five years,” said Karla Moran, manager of economic development at Salt River Project. That includes more solar generation, mobile-home-sized batteries to store power early in the morning for release later in the day, and additional hydro capacity.

Kelly Patton, economic development manager at Arizona Public Service, said much the same. “We have prepared for this growth,” she said.

Both utility executives made the case for continuing to keep natural gas-fired plants in the mix for a while longer, despite emissions that make them targets for criticism from environmental groups and others. “If a monsoon hits and the solar field goes down, we can ramp up that natural gas,” Patton said.

Actually, the availability of renewable energy is another factor that gives Arizona an edge, as some companies expanding here, including Apple with its new data center in Mesa, have asked for it, Watson said.

A key factor in the Phoenix area’s success in attracting semiconductor manufacturers and other industries, she added, was ongoing efforts to keep the major utilities in the loop.

Some 54 megaprojects are in the works now across all industries, Watson said, and the Commerce Authority shares that information with local utilities. “We map out what sites they are considering so that our utilities can plan,” she said. “So the utilities know, in the next five years, where they need to be.”

While water is another critical need for the semiconductor industry, conference participants didn’t assess it as a key obstacle for Arizona, especially as manufacturers, including Intel, are striving to improve their recycling efforts. SRP, which supplies about half of the Valley’s water needs, said its reservoirs by later this spring are expected to be near full capacity.

For Arizona’s semiconductor industry, many of the “i’s” still need to be dotted and the “t’s” crossed. The giant fabs and expansion projects still need to be built, equipped and staffed with trained workers, many of whom haven’t completed or even started their educations. Suppliers need to be ready and waiting, with fewer of the supply-chain disruptions that have plagued the industry in recent years. Labor relations need to be maintained if not improved. The power and water for these complexes need to keep flowing, and partnerships strengthened.

But the infrastructure and other foundations have been laid and Arizona is in a good position for expansion, said Cori Masters, a senior semiconductor research analyst based in the Valley for Gartner.

“Now’s the time for ramping,” she said.

Reach the writer at russ.wiles@arizonarepublic.com.

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Arizona

WATCH: How Helping One Woman provides hope and support with ‘Girl’s Night Out’

Published

8 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

WATCH: How Helping One Woman provides hope and support with ‘Girl’s Night Out’

PEORIA, AZ — What if a simple dinner could help someone rebuild their life? In Peoria, a local chapter of Helping One Woman is doing just that by gathering once a month for a “Girls Night Out” with a powerful purpose.

Each month, women in the community nominate someone facing an unimaginable challenge: the loss of a spouse or child, a cancer diagnosis, or another life-altering hardship. That woman becomes the evening’s honoree.

At the dinner, attendees each contribute at least $10 and take part in raffles supported by local businesses. By the end of the night, the funds raised are gifted directly to the recipient to help with expenses during a difficult time.

But organizers say the money is only part of the impact. The room full of encouragement, hugs, and shared support can be just as powerful.

ABC15’s Cameron Polom talked with the Peoria chapter president and two women whose lives were changed thanks to the group’s generosity. See the full Uplifting Arizona story in the video player above.

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What have the Cardinals done in NFL free agency? – Arizona Sports

Published

20 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

What have the Cardinals done in NFL free agency? – Arizona Sports

The NFL’s legal tampering window is officially open, and it didn’t take long for the Arizona Cardinals to get in the mix.

A running list of the new names and familiar faces coming to Arizona in 2026:

New names on Cardinals roster this free agency

Kendrick Bourne

The former San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots wide receiver brings another body to Arizona’s wide receivers room that includes Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr.

He’s got plenty of familiarity with new Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur from their time together in San Francisco (2017-20). Bourne also spent a year with expected Cardinals starter Jacoby Brissett in 2024 with the Patriots.

The wide receiver caught 37 passes for 551 yards in 16 games played (eight starts) last year.

He’s now on board for two years in Arizona.

Isaac Seumalo

The guard spent the past three years with the Pittsburgh Steelers after a seven-season stint with the Philadelphia Eagles.

He’s started 104 out of 125 games played and has spent time at both left and right guard during his NFL career.

According to Next Gen Stats, the guard allowed a 3.7% pressure rate last year. That was the lowest rate among all eligible guards in 2025.

Gardner Minshew

Minshew agreed to terms on a one-year deal on Monday.

He’s expected to back up expected starter Jacoby Brissett in 2026, according to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro.

Coming off his seventh NFL season and first with the Kansas City Chiefs, Minshew appeared in four games (one start) last year. He completed 46.2% of his throws for 37 yards and an interception.

Before landing with the Chiefs, Minshew spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders (2024), Indianapolis Colts (2023), Philadelphia Eagles (2021-22) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2019-20).

RB Tyler Allgeier

Allgeier comes over to Arizona on a reported two-year contract.

Before agreeing to terms on the $12.25 million deal with Arizona on Monday, Allgeier played four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.

He ran for 514 yards and eight touchdowns on 143 carries last year, while adding another 14 catches for 96 yards.

While he worked mostly behind Bijan Robinson the past three years, Allgeier did surpass the 1,000-yard mark as a rookie in 2022.

Familiar faces

L.J. Collier

Collier is back on a one-year deal.

The defensive lineman appeared in four games in 2025 due to a knee injury suffered in Week 2.

He recorded six tackles and two QB hits in what was his third season with the team.

Roy Lopez

After a one-year stint with the Detroit Lions, Lopez is back with his hometown team on a reported two-year deal.

In 17 games played last year, he recorded two sacks, four tackles for loss and a pass defensed.

Before his time in Detroit, Lopez spent two seasons with Arizona from 2023-24. During that span, he registered a sack, six tackles for loss, three passes defensed and a forced fumble in 30 games played (21 starts).

K Chad Ryland

Ryland is back on a one-year deal, the team announced.

Ryland went through plenty of struggles last season after a having a career year in 2024. His accuracy dropped from 87.5% in 2024 to 75.8% last season. He was especially inconsistent from 40 yards and on, compiling a 13-of-20 mark (65%). Inside 40 yards, though, Ryland was 12-of-13 (92.3%).

Arizona brought in kicker Josh Karty late in the year (more on him later), but Ryland never gave up his role and appeared in all 17 games.

A one-year deal isn’t going to break the bank by any means.

P Blake Gillikin

The Cardinals must feel pretty good about where Gillikin is at in his recovering from a back injury last year with their signing of the punter to a one-year deal.

Before he went down five games into the season, the punter was leading the league in yards per punt with 51.7.

Not only that, across his five seasons (65 games) in the NFL, he holds the all-time record for yards per punt at 48.5.

Staying healthy is key for Gillikin, who also missed time in 2024 due to an ankle injury.

RB James Conner

Technically not a free agent, Conner was a potential cut candidate given his contract.

But after reportedly revising his deal, Conner is returning for his sixth season with the Cardinals.

The running back brings plenty of leadership and a bruising running style to the mix.

He’s coming off an abbreviated 2025 (three games) due to an ankle injury but had rushed for a pair of 1,000-yard seasons the two years prior. He scored at least seven rushing touchdowns each season from 2022-24.

CB Sean Murphy-Bunting

Much like Conner, Murphy-Bunting was another prime cut candidate due to his contract but reportedly revised his deal with Arizona as well.

Murphy-Bunting has a lot to prove after missing all of 2025 due to an injury suffered away from the team facility.

In his first season with the Cardinals, the cornerback recorded 52 tackles, three interceptions, five passes defensed and two forced fumbles across 15 starts.

Follow @Tdrake4sports

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Arizona’s Jaden Bradley named Big 12 men’s basketball player of year

Published

1 day ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

Arizona’s Jaden Bradley named Big 12 men’s basketball player of year

The Arizona men’s basketball team went 29-2 overall and 16-2 in the Big 12, winning the conference’s regular season title.

The Wildcats were rewarded for their dominance in the Big 12’s men’s basketball awards, which were announced on March 9.

Arizona’s Jaden Bradley was named the Big 12 Player of the Year, while Tobe Awaka earned the conference’s Sixth Man of the Year award and coach Tommy Lloyd earned Coach of the Year accolades.

Bradley averaged 13.4 points and 4.6 assists. Awaka was the nation’s leading rebounder off the bench, averaging 9.7 rebounds and 9.9 points when entering the game as a reserve. Lloyd led Arizona to its first Big 12 regular-season title.

Arizona State was completely shut out of the awards, with Moe Odum not receiving honorable mention honors despite averaging 17.1 points per game and 5.9 assists per game for the Sun Devils.

2026 Phillips 66 All-Big 12 Men’s Basketball Awards

Player of the Year: Jaden Bradley, Arizona
Defensive Player of the Year: Flory Bidunga, Kansas
Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State
Freshman of the Year: AJ Dybantsa, BYU
Newcomer of the Year: Melvin Council Jr., Kansas
Sixth Man Award: Tobe Awaka, Arizona*
Most Improved: Christian Anderson, Texas Tech
Coach of the Year: Tommy Lloyd, Arizona

All-Big 12 First Team

Jaden Bradley, Arizona
Brayden Burries, Arizona
Motiejus Krivas, Arizona
AJ Dybantsa, BYU*
Emanuel Sharp, Houston
Kingston Flemings, Houston*
Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State
Flory Bidunga, Kansas
Christian Anderson, Texas Tech
JT Toppin, Texas Tech*

All-Big 12 Second Team

Richie Saunders, BYU
Baba Miller, Cincinnati
Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State
Milan Momcilovic, Iowa State
Darryn Peterson, Kansas

All-Big 12 Third Team

Koa Peat, Arizona
Cameron Carr, Baylor
Rob Wright, BYU
Themus Fulks, UCF
Xavier Edmonds, TCU

All-Big 12 Honorable Mention:

Arizona: Tobe Awaka
Baylor: Tounde Yessoufou
Cincinnati: Moustapha Thiam
Colorado: Isaiah Johnson
Houston: Joseph Tugler, Milos Uzan
Kansas: Melvin Council Jr.
Kansas State: PJ Haggerty
Oklahoma State: Parsa Fallah
TCU: David Punch
Texas Tech: Donovan Atwell
West Virginia: Honor Huff
Utah: Terrence Brown

All-Defensive Team

Jaden Bradley, Arizona
Motiejus Krivas, Arizona
Emanuel Sharp, Houston
Joseph Tugler, Houston
Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State
Flory Bidunga, Kansas*

A tie resulted in an extra position on the team

All-Freshman Team

Brayden Burries, Arizona*
Koa Peat, Arizona
AJ Dybantsa, BYU*
Kingston Flemings, Houston*
Darryn Peterson, Kansas*

All-Newcomer Team

Cameron Carr, Baylor
Themus Fulks, UCF
Baba Miller, Cincinnati
Melvin Council Jr., Kansas
Donovan Atwell, Texas Tech

*- unanimous selection

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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