As the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) marks its 15th anniversary, CEO Sandra Watson says the state’s economic evolution has been remarkable. Fueled by unprecedented investment, particularly from the semiconductor industry, Arizona experienced its strongest year ever for economic development.
According to the ACA’s latest fiscal year annual report, companies announced more than $109 billion in planned investments across the state between July 2025 and June 2026. Those projects are expected to generate approximately 26,225 new jobs, underscoring Arizona’s continued momentum as a destination for business growth and innovation.
Some highlights of the past fiscal year include:
- TSMC expanded its commitment to Arizona, increasing its total investment in the state to $265 billion.
- Amkor’s chip packaging and testing facility, located west of the TSMC campus, increased its planned investment from $2 billion to $7 billion to expand the project.
- Nvidia announced a $1.5 billion, multiyear partnership with Amkor to advance semiconductor packaging and testing technologies for next-generation AI and accelerated computing platforms.
- Intel completed and opened its 2.9-million-square-foot Fab 52 manufacturing facility at its Chandler Ocotillo campus.
- ASML launched North America’s only semiconductor engineer training center near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, capable of training up to 1,000 engineers annually.
- Applied Materials, in partnership with Arizona State University, opened a $270 million research, development, and prototyping center in Chandler.
- In Casa Grande, KPCC Advanced Chemicals Inc. broke ground on a $500 million manufacturing facility where it will produce chemicals used in semiconductor fabrication.
- Beginning in 2027, Phoenix will become the permanent home of SEMICON West, the semiconductor industry’s premier annual conference.
“With Arizona’s thriving industry clusters, unmatched business climate, talented workforce, top-tier education, and robust innovation ecosystem, our state continues to attract global leaders – expanding economic opportunity and reinforcing Arizona’s position as premier destination for business,” Watson said.
