TSMC’s Commitment To Community Spurs Local Progress
The semiconductor titan is building three leading-edge semiconductor production facilities, or fabrications, on 1,129 acres in the northern part of the city.
Author:Karan EmeryReviewer:Frazer PughFeb 28, 2025802 Shares11.4K Views
In 2020, TSMC Arizona revealed it would heavily invest in Phoenix’s semiconductor sector. It’s an announcement that sparked a gold rush, as the past five years have seen semiconductor companies craft more than 40 of their own plans to build in the desert, to the tune of $102 billion and 16,000-plus new jobs that pay well enough to sustain families living in the Arizona city.
Along the way, TSMC Arizona also deepened its commitment to the state, growing its investment from $12 billion to a whopping $65 billion. The semiconductor titan is building three leading-edge semiconductor production facilities, or fabrications, on 1,129 acres in the northern part of the city. It’s the largest foreign direct investment in a greenfield project in U.S. history, and Greater Phoenix Economic Council’s economic analysisfound that it will create 20,000-plus unique construction jobs. And once all three fabs are running at full capacity in 2030, TSMC Arizona expects to employ 6,000 people.
“We are honored to support our customers who have been pioneers in mobile, artificial intelligence, and high-performance computing, whether in chip design, hardware systems or software, algorithms, and large language models,” said TSMC CEO Dr. C.C. Wei. “They are the innovators driving demand for the most advanced silicon that TSMC can provide. As their foundry partner, we will help them unleash their innovations by increasing capacity for leading-edge technology through TSMC Arizona. We are thrilled by the progress of our Arizona site to date and are committed to its long-term success.”
Community Agreements
But TSMC Arizona’s plans for expansion in Phoenix go beyond physical buildings. It wants to create community.
“Arizona’s semiconductor footprint is rapidly expanding, and its leadership in both cutting-edge manufacturing and advanced packaging provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to accelerate research and innovation,” said Rose Castanares, president of TSMC Arizona. “With our historic $65 billion investment, TSMC Arizona is deeply committed to our U.S. operation, and we look forward to collaborating.”
To that end, TSMC Arizona will fosterpartnerships and create programming that support sustainable growth in the fast-growing chipmaking hub. The company will also pour at least $15 million into community investment and workforce development efforts. These include science, technology, engineering, and mathematics exposure for students as young as 5 years old, with an emphasis on serving children in communities that have historically been under-resourced.
Building The Future
That drive to collaborate also drove TSMC Arizona to partner with academia, creating internship and apprenticeship programs that prepare local students and aspiring industry pros to skill up and learn everything they need to craft careers in the semiconductor industry.
The $5 millionapprenticeship program operates in partnership with the City of Phoenix, the Arizona Commerce Authority, and the United States Department of Commerce. In 2025, it will welcome about 130 new facilities technician, equipment technician, and process technician apprentices, all with a pathway to employment at TSMC Arizona.
“One of the top considerations in TSMC’s decision to expand here was the opportunity to tap a local and diverse talent pipeline and collaborate with a world-class U.S. education system. Our first-of-its-kind program for semiconductor technicians represents what’s possible when government, industry, and education come together,” said Castanares. “We are deeply committed to creating job opportunities for local Arizonans. Our newest technician apprentices will get the support and training they need to thrive in their new careers and help us make the most advanced semiconductor technology in the United States.”
Students are also well-positioned to join TSMC Arizona. The company’s internship program is currently recruiting at campuses across the country. Participants work at a semiconductor fab as full members of their teams for 10 weeks, and they can be placed in technical departments like process integration or nontechnicalones, like finance and risk management. Some interns also complete a 10-week technical development program with TSMC Arizona that taps the expertise and mentorship of senior engineers and executives.
Expanding What’s Possible
TSMC Arizona’s presence in the state has also sparked opportunities for its partners. On Jan. 6, 2025, the Arizona Commerce Authority announced that the U.S. Commerce Department and Natcast, which operates the National Semiconductor Technology Center, will build the largest of three CHIPS for Americaresearch and development flagship facilities in Arizona.
The NSTC Prototyping and the National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program advanced packaging piloting facility will be built within ASU Research Parkin Tempe, Arizona. It will combine 300-millimeter semiconductor research and prototyping for front-end manufacturing and packaging capabilities, which will support the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem in its quest to offer more advanced packaging R&D. It’s expected to open in the final months of 2028 and create hundreds of new local jobs.
“The CHIPS R&D project will create a national lab that will be the final piece in a semiconductor supply chain that serves the nation with research and development, manufacturing and workforce development all right here in Arizona,” Arizona State University President Michael Crow said. “You’ll have all three things together in the same place to help the nation; Arizona will be the hub nationally — and ASU is at the center of the hub.”
It’s clear that TSMC Arizona’s determination to make Arizona a standout in the semiconductor industry has a ripple effect on the health and wealth of the state and the nation.
“Arizona continues to prove its role as not just a nationwide leader, but a global leader, in semiconductor research and development,” said Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego. “With this announcement, our state will serve as a driver of innovation for the semiconductor ecosystem in the country while creating thousands of high-paying jobs for hardworking Arizonans.
“Today’s announcement is why I fought in Congress to get the Chips Act into law. Thank you to Arizona State University, our business leaders, and multiple administrations across the years for making this bipartisan achievement possible.”
Karan Emery
Author
Karan Emery, an accomplished researcher and leader in health sciences, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals, brings over two decades of experience to the table. Holding a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Stanford University, Karan's credentials underscore her authority in the field.
With a track record of groundbreaking research and numerous peer-reviewed publications in prestigious journals, Karan's expertise is widely recognized in the scientific community.
Her writing style is characterized by its clarity and meticulous attention to detail, making complex scientific concepts accessible to a broad audience. Apart from her professional endeavors, Karan enjoys cooking, learning about different cultures and languages, watching documentaries, and visiting historical landmarks.
Committed to advancing knowledge and improving health outcomes, Karan Emery continues to make significant contributions to the fields of health, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals.
Frazer Pugh
Reviewer
Frazer Pugh is a distinguished expert in finance and business, boasting over 6 years of experience. Holding an MBA in Finance from Stanford University, Frazer's credentials underscore his authority and expertise in the field.
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His commitment in delivering trustworthy analysis and actionable advice reflects his dedication to shaping the world of finance and business, making a significant impact through his work.
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