Greater Phoenix Economic Council

Phoenix,  AZ 
United States
https://www.gpec.org/

• Booth: 5660

Overview

The Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), named the top economic development organization (EDO) globally in 2021 by the International Economic Development Council, works to attract and grow quality businesses and advocate for the competitiveness of Greater Phoenix. A data-driven regional EDO, GPEC works with 22 member communities, Maricopa County and more than 200 private investors to accomplish its mission and serve as a strategic partner to companies across the world as they expand or relocate to Greater Phoenix. Services include operating cost comparisons, connectivity to key resources, data and analysis, site selection assistance and public relation connections. Contact Senior Vice President of Business Development Thomas Maynard and tmaynard@gpec.org for more information.

  Press Releases

• SEMICON West Adds Phoenix to its Annual Rotation Beginning 2025 (Mar 28, 2023)

  A fixture in the San Francisco Bay Area for more than 50 years, SEMICON West is moving to Phoenix for a five-year annual rotation starting in 2025 and shifting from its longstanding July event dates to October beginning in 2024, SEMI announced. The event, North America’s premier microelectronics exhibition and conference, will be held again in Arizona in 2027 and 2029, with all three appearances at the Phoenix Convention Center.

  “SEMI is excited to bring SEMICON West to Phoenix, a booming semiconductor manufacturing hub, in October 2025,” said Joe Stockunas, president of SEMI Americas, host of the exhibition and conference. “Greater Phoenix is home to more than 75 semiconductor companies including SEMI members EMD Electronics, Intel and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), and the sector employs more than 100,000 with more jobs on the way. As recent investments in chip manufacturing in the area have made abundantly clear, Phoenix embodies the drive by SEMI and the industry at large toward greater innovation.”

  “SEMI thanks the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), and the city of Phoenix for their tremendous support as we make this important move,” Stockunas added.

  “We’re proud to welcome SEMICON West to Arizona!” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “Arizona has become a global leader in chip manufacturing and innovation, with rapid growth across our entire semiconductor ecosystem. We look forward to joining with local partners and SEMICON West to welcome industry leaders from around the globe and showcase why Arizona has become the world’s leading destination for new chip investments.”

  “The recent expansion of the semiconductor industry in Phoenix has been transformative,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “We are already benefiting from new jobs, new suppliers, new housing, new educational opportunities, and new businesses that are excited to relocate here. SEMICON West’s presence will underscore and amplify Phoenix’s commitment to attracting and growing our advanced manufacturing and semiconductor industries.” Mayor Gallego also thanked the Arizona Commerce Authority, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, Visit Phoenix, and city staff for the collaborative efforts to bring SEMICON West to Phoenix.

  In November, the state of Arizona announced a $100 million investment in semiconductor industry research and development under the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act to consolidate the state’s competitive position. And in December, TSMC announced plans to triple its fab investments in Phoenix to $40 billion, facilities that are expected to create 13,000 high-tech jobs, and produce leading-edge 3-nanometer chips at the new factory by 2026. The Phoenix site features two fabs with enough space to add four more.

  “This is a significant moment for Greater Phoenix and the semiconductor industry, linking a U.S. legacy market with the industry’s most notable international conference,” said Greater Phoenix Economic Council President & CEO Chris Camacho. “Greater Phoenix is harnessing the momentum of global growth in advanced manufacturing and this conference will help to advance the SEMI mission, connecting industry leaders within a market that is home to research and development, manufacturing and headquarter facilities for some of the most well-known companies in the industry.”

  Greater Phoenix is also a rich source of new talent for local semiconductor companies. The Arizona State University engineering program is the largest in the United States, with more than 30,000 students, including 7,000 focused on microelectronics-related fields. The Maricopa Community Colleges have also made significant investments in quick-start programs to bring even more technicians online.

  Read more here.

• Chang Chun Arizona Breaks Ground On Manufacturing Facility In Casa Grande (Mar 28, 2023)

  The semiconductor chemical facility will be operational in 2023, creating over 200 jobs

  Chang Chun Arizona, a leading petrochemical supplier based in Taiwan, broke ground today on its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Casa Grande, Arizona. The facility is expected to be operational in 2023 and create over 200 jobs, contributing to the rapidly growing semiconductor manufacturing industry in Arizona, as well as economic development of the greater Casa Grande region.

  Joined by the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, Arizona Commerce Authority, Casa Grande Mayor Craig McFarland and members of the Casa Grande City Council, and community leaders, the groundbreaking advances the state’s reputation as a national semiconductor leader and the state’s unrivaled semiconductor industry supply chain.

  Representing a $300 million investment, the facility located in Casa Grande will produce electronic-grade hydrogen peroxide, tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH)-based developers, electronic-grade solution and plating solution.

  “Arizona is proud to welcome Chang Chun Arizona’s first U.S. manufacturing facility to Casa Grande,” said Governor Ducey. “Chang Chun Arizona represents yet another Taiwan-based semiconductor leader putting down roots in our state and adding to our vibrant advanced manufacturing landscape. As we continue to foster the world’s best environment for semiconductors, we look forward to partnering with Chang Chun and supporting their success for many years to come.”

  “Chang Chun Arizona is incredibly grateful for the warm welcome extended by the entire State of Arizona,” said Yu-hung (Calvin) Su, President of Chang Chun Arizona. “By establishing our new facility in Arizona, this is a significant milestone in CCAZ’s expansion into the U.S. We are ready to meet the growing demand of the semiconductor industry in Arizona and throughout the U.S. We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with the State of Arizona as well as contributing to the economic and environmental sustainability of the local community.”

  The facility will support the state’s semiconductor industry by supplying essential high-quality electronic grade chemicals used in the manufacture of the wafers. Chang Chun Arizona will start site development activities over the next few months and will start supplying wafer fabrication facilities in 2024. The facility will be fully built out in 2025 with opportunities for future expansion to meet the demands of the advanced manufacturing market.

  Read more here.

• Semiconductor Innovator Yield Engineering Systems Signs 123,000 Square Foot Lease on Chandler’s Price Corridor (Mar 28, 2023)

  The facility will support U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, creating 100 jobs

  Yield Engineering Systems, known by the acronym YES, has leased 123,000 square feet at 3200 W. Germann Road within the acclaimed Price Corridor. The facility will support YES in serving the region’s thriving semiconductor industry.

  YES develops and manufactures thermal, deposition, and wet process equipment that is used in semiconductor, life sciences, and display manufacturing. The Chandler facility will house a “Technology Center” with R&D functions, cleanroom operations, advanced manufacturing, customer support, and office space.

  The company plans to have approximately 100 highly educated employees based at the Chandler facility, mostly in technology and engineering positions. The multimillion-dollar capital investment to build out the space will enable the development of advanced technology that supports the US semiconductor manufacturing sector.

  “The long-term vision for Price Corridor continues to be realized as we welcome another dynamic and market-leading company to Chandler,“ stated Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke. “We would like to thank YES for their investment and trust in Chandler, as we know there are many options throughout the world for cutting-edge facilities like this.”

  “Our new Technology Center will provide us with valuable proximity to key customers and vendors, as well as access to the highly skilled workforce that defines Chandler’s business ecosystem,” said Rezwan Lateef, President of YES. “We are grateful to Chandler’s Economic Development team, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, and Arizona Commerce Authority for their assistance with this major milestone in our mission to serve the semiconductor market as a preferred provider.” Mark Donahue is the local YES manager overseeing the project.

  Read more here.