Sen. Mark Kelly touts national security benefits of microchip industry in Arizona

Construction on the first of three factories in north Phoenix that will produce advanced microchips is nearing completion. Engineers are now manufacturing wafers to test the equipment expected to support 6,000 jobs when all three factories are operational by 2028.

The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is in the midst of a $65 billion project at a 1,100-acre complex. In Chandler, Intel is also expanding its manufacturing operations for microchips, which are used in everything from phones to cars to weapons systems.

Both companies recently received more than $15 billion in federal grants to boost the microchip industry in Arizona under the CHIPS and Science Act.

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz, was a chief negotiator for the bill before it became law.

"Our economy now, I think it's fair to say, runs on semiconductor chips. We can't risk losing access to them," he told The Arizona Republic on this week's episode of The Briefing.

Kelly discussed this industry's implications for Arizona, for national security and for the thousands of jobs it will create.

Want to know more? Here are some of the latest developments involving the expansion of the microchip industry in Arizona:

• About 60% of the new jobs created by the microchip industry in Arizona won't require a college degree. Companies are creating programs and partnerships to fill those positions as they become available.
• The construction of the TSMC semiconductor manufacturing complex and a semiconductor packaging plant is generating a housing boom in the West Valley to meet the needs of a growing workforce. New home permits here have far outpaced the East Valley, but the demand is also driving up home prices in the area.
• Land surrounding semiconductor manufacturing infrastructure is expected to be developed for commercial and retail use as well as residences. But an Arizona Republic review found that 80 percent of auctions of state trust lands have a single bidder.

The Briefing, hosted by Arizona Republic reporter Rafael Carranza, explores news and issues through interviews with other reporters and newsmakers in a fast-paced, easy-to-digest format.

The Briefing publishes on azcentral.com and YouTube, where The Republic’s audience has grown to nearly 130,000 followers.

The Briefing is just one layer of The Republic's coverage of politics and the 2024 election.

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