Kelly, Sinema, Hobbs, Stanton Celebrate $8.5B CHIPS and Science Act Award to Intel, Highlight Economic Impact for Arizona Workers and the State’s Leading Role in Microchip Manufacturing
Kelly and Sinema were chief negotiators of the Chips and Science Act in 2022, historic legislation to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to the United States, create good-paying American jobs, and strengthen supply chains
Intel is currently building two new leading-edge fabs at its Ocotillo campus in Chandler
Today, the Department of Commerce announced that Intel Corporation will receive $8.5 billion in direct funding from the CHIPS and Science Act, in addition to $11 billion in loans. This award will support the construction of Intel’s microchip manufacturing plants in America, including in Arizona where it will create 6,000 construction jobs and 3,000 manufacturing jobs. The award is the largest so far from the CHIPS and Science Act, which was negotiated by Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema and backed by Representative Greg Stanton to bring microchip manufacturing back to America, create jobs, and strengthen national security.
Arizona is home to Intel’s largest domestic manufacturing footprint with four microchip plants in the state and two new plants under construction in Chandler. Thanks to this CHIPS and Science Act support, Intel will now begin mass production of its 18A process node—the company’s most advanced chip design—at its Arizona facilities as the state becomes a global hub for microchip development, testing, manufacturing, and packaging.
“This is huge news that will cement Arizona as a global hub for microchips and create a lot of great-paying jobs that don’t require a four-year degree. From Intel and the administration to our state and local economic development leaders and the City of Chandler, everyone worked hard together to get this done. Bringing microchip manufacturing back to America was the goal of my historic CHIPS Act, and today’s announcement is the biggest step we’ve taken towards making that a reality,” said Senator Kelly, a chief negotiator of the CHIPS and Science Act.
“I was proud to lead our bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act into law – directly fueling Intel’s historic investment in Arizona and building lasting careers for Arizona families. This investment is proof of how smart, responsible, bipartisan legislation delivers meaningful impact for Arizona as we lead our country to the future,” said Senator Sinema, a chief negotiator of the CHIPS and Science Act.
“Arizona has become a national leader in the semiconductor industry, in no small part due to Intel’s presence for over four decades,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “With this critical CHIPS Act investment, I am excited that Intel is expanding its operation in Chandler, continuing to fuel our state’s success. We are leading America’s economic future because of our high-skilled workforce, dynamic economy, and innovative companies like Intel — an industry giant with its largest domestic manufacturing presence here in our state. Arizona is proud to have Intel as a partner as we continue working together to create jobs, protect our national security, and develop the cutting-edge advanced manufacturing economy.”
“I proudly championed the CHIPS and Science Act in the House because I knew no state in the country stood to benefit more than ours. Arizona has become a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing–anchored by Intel for more than 40 years. Today’s historic award will mean even more investment and high-wage, high-tech jobs here in the East Valley,” said Congressman Greg Stanton.
Background:
Kelly and Sinema worked for nearly two years to negotiate and champion the CHIPS and Science Act, which includes Kelly’s $52 billion plan to boost domestic microchip manufacturing. Thanks to their leadership, Arizona is well positioned to become a global hub for microelectronics research, development, testing, manufacturing, and packaging. With new semiconductor plants being constructed in Maricopa County, Arizona workers are already feeling the impact of this historic law.
In June 2020, Sinema first introduced the CHIPS for America Actwith Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Mark Warner (D-VA) to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to the United States. The CHIPS and Science Act included the funding to make Sinema’s CHIPS in America Act operational. Sinema was instrumental in passing the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act into law, partnering with Senator Todd Young (R-IN) to prevent the legislation from partisan collapse on the Senate floor.
Since the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act, more than $6 billion in private investment for 38 semiconductor industry projects has been announced in Arizona.