Nearly 40 companies expanded in the Valley in the past year. GPEC says even more in the pipeline

·        Nearly 40 businesses decided to expand in the Phoenix area in fiscal year 2023 through Greater Phoenix Economic Council and its partners, according to the economic development organization’s annual report. These included major projects such as the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s and LG Energy Solution’s expanded investments as well as traditional manufacturers, distribution and logistics companies and for new headquarters. Link to story >

Intel’s Arizona Expansion Marks Construction Milestone

·        Marking a milestone in Intel’s ongoing manufacturing expansion in Arizona, the company announced that the initial portion of the cleanroom is “weather tight” and the “blow down” phase1 has begun at the company’s two new leading-edge chip factories on its Ocotillo campus in Chandler, Arizona. This milestone underscores Intel’s dedication to advancing its presence in the state and fostering technological innovation. With Arizona as an important manufacturing hub, Intel – the sole U.S.-based leading-edge chipmaker – is dedicated to addressing the growing demand for semiconductors and helping the United States regain its leadership position in this vital industry. Intel’s long-term investment has yielded significant benefits for Arizona, with an estimated 58,600 jobs supported by Intel’s operations. Intel’s annual economic impact in the state stands at $8.6 billion. Link to story >

Embracing Diversity: The Strength of an International Workforce

·        Workforce in Motion, a program of Trade in Motion, supports companies to find Mexican STEM graduates and skilled technicians, from entry level to experienced workers, ready to work in Arizona. In today’s globalized world, businesses are continually evolving and adapting to the dynamics of a multicultural marketplace. Among the strategies that forward-thinking industries are implementing is the integration of an international workforce. This deliberate move has proven to be a catalyst for growth and innovation, particularly in sectors like aviation, mining, automotive, construction, manufacturing, and semiconductors. Embracing an international workforce offers multifaceted benefits. Diversity,  equity, and inclusion (DEI) are at the core of this transformation. Link to story >

Diversity is Priority for Banner Health with New Supplier Program

·        Banner Health has launched its Supplier Diversity Program at a community event attended by leaders of the diverse business community. The event provided an opportunity to learn more about Banner Health, the Supplier Diversity Program, and meet the individuals at Banner responsible for the leadership, support, and day-to-day operations of the program. “Supplier diversity and inclusion in the sourcing process ensures we can partner with the most talented, innovative, experienced, and cost-competitive suppliers available,” said Doug Bowen, senior vice president and chief supply chain officer. Link to story >

Involta Launches Tucson Internet Exchange for Cost Effective Connectivity

·       Involta, an award-winning data center infrastructure, hybrid IT and cloud-forward consulting firm, announces the launch of the Tucson Internet Exchange (TUSIX), located within the company’s state-of-the-art data center in Tucson, Arizona. TUSIX is a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to fostering local connectivity and collaboration among internet-related organizations in the Tucson region. This strategic hub enables businesses to peer and exchange their network traffic locally, resulting in several notable benefits. Operated by Involta, TUSIX represents a significant milestone in Involta’s infrastructure commitment to the region. Link to story >

Meta Teams up with SRP to Support Data Center with Clean Energy from New Solar and Battery Project

·      Meta announced its Mesa data center will soon be supported by new solar energy from Salt River Project (SRP) through a contract with a leading U.S. clean energy provider, Ørsted. Under the contract, Meta will receive the majority portion of the solar energy generated by Ørsted’s Eleven Mile Solar Center, a 300-MW solar farm and 300-MW, four-hour battery energy storage system currently under construction in Pinal County, Arizona. Once online in 2024, this will be the largest solar-plus-battery project on SRP’s power grid, and one of the largest battery energy storage systems built in a single phase in the U.S. The solar and stored energy not needed by the Meta data center will be available to SRP’s larger customer base. Link to story >

ASU Announces Future Medical School to Be Located in Downtown Phoenix

·        Arizona State University President Michael M. Crow, joined by Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, today announced that the university’s headquarters for ASU Health, which includes a new medical school, will be built at a location to be determined in downtown Phoenix. ASU Health, which will address health-related outcomes for the citizens of Arizona, includes not only a school of medicine built around engineering, but also a School of Public Health Technology.

“We are very excited that all three of these things, the headquarters for ASU Health and two new schools, will be built in downtown Phoenix,” Crow said. “The citizens of Phoenix have been an important investor in higher education, science technology and medicine in downtown Phoenix. Link to story >

ACA Announces Expansion of UArizona Micro/Nano Fabrication Center in Tucson

·       The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) announced an expansion of the University of Arizona’s Micro/Nano Fabrication Center (MNFC) located in the University’s Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering building in Tucson, Arizona. The MNFC is a cleanroom facility which supports manufacturing and research efforts involving semiconductors, computer chips, optical devices and quantum computing systems. The Center is supported by an investment of $35.5 million from the Arizona Commerce Authority. The funding will also support the expansion of training and educational modules to ensure Arizona continues to grow its skilled workforce to meet industry demand. Link to story >

ACA Allocates $17.5M to ASU to Expand Semiconductor Research 

·       The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) announced a $17.5 million investment in Arizona State University (ASU) to expand Arizona’s advanced semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. The expansion will enhance Arizona’s fan-out wafer-level packaging R&D and workforce training capabilities and drive the creation of a GaN (gallium nitride) manufacturing and research ecosystem in the state to enable technology of the future. ASU will allocate the funding to purchase equipment to enhance the capabilities of ASU’s MacroTechnology Works (MTW) in Tempe. Link to story >

The Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $64M for New Water Conservation Agreements 

·      The Biden-Harris administration announced $63.4 million in new investments as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for water conservation, water efficiency, and protection of critical environmental resources in the Colorado River System. The investments, which will improve and protect the stability and sustainability of the Colorado River System now and into the future, are administered through the Lower Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program and funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate investment in history. Link to story >