General Motors that it is hiring several hundred new employees this year for software positions at its Information Technology Innovation Center in Chandler’s Price Corridor.

“These jobs created by GM are high-wage, high-skill and provide tremendous employment opportunities for our residents,” Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke . “We appreciate GM’s significant investment in Chandler and look forward to being a partner in their continued growth.”

The Chandler IT Innovation Center is one of the four GM technology hubs located across the country. These centers are designed to help develop GM’s products as it moves towards an all-electric future. 

“As GM transforms from automaker to platform innovator, our IT Innovation Center in Chandler plays an integral role for the future,” Umesh Murthy, director of the Arizona IT Innovation Center, said.

The Chandler Center currently employs more than 1,000 various tech employees at its 170,000-square-foot facility, including software developers, data analysts, product managers, and software architects. Additionally, the company recruits from universities in Arizona and features many entry level positions.

“On top of the region’s deep existing pool of talent, Chandler offers a wonderful quality of life and strong community to newcomers,” Murthy said. “Those who join GM here will have an opportunity to pursue their passions and contribute to GM’s purpose.” 

In addition to GM’s new IT Innovation Center, Cruise, a subsidiary of GM, last month the rollout of a program in partnership with Walmart that will expand its self-driving delivery pilot in Arizona. Cruise currently runs a small fleet of autonomous Chevy Bolts as part of a pilot program with Walmart. 

During an Arizona Senate Transportation Committee meeting, Cruise’s senior government affairs manager, Carter Stern, announced the pilot will expand to eight stores in 2022. 

“We’ll really continue to see that grow in Arizona first, and then it’ll be exported to the rest of the country,” Stern .

The pilot initially started with just one Walmart in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Cruise currently employs more than 100 people in Arizona and is expected to keep adding jobs as the company expands its activities.

These developments are further signs of economic growth in Arizona’s tech sector. Arizona nearly 38,000 tech jobs from 2015 to 2021. Additionally, has seen 30% growth in software jobs over the past 10 years. 

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Intel last Friday broke ground on a $20 billion expansion of its facilities in Chandler, Arizona, building two new fabrication plants, or fabs, at its Ocotillo campus. The two new chip factories – which will be known as Fab 52 and Fab 62 – will be operational within three years and will supply semiconductor chips at a time when a global shortage of chips is wreaking havoc on supply chains in nearly all industries, from automobiles to data centers.

Intel’s expansion is the largest private sector investment in Arizona’s history and is expected to create 3,000 jobs and 15,000 indirect jobs.

“Today’s celebration marks an important milestone as we work to boost capacity and meet the incredible demand for semiconductors: the foundational technology for the digitization of everything,” Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger said.

Intel joins the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which in June started construction of a $12 billion semiconductor plant in north Phoenix, its second in the United States. In total, Intel has invested more than $50 billion in Chandler since 1980 and TSMC has indicated that its future Arizona plant could be the first of six plants in the state, as reported by .

There has been so much investment that in March, Forbes labeled Arizona as

The semiconductor chips that will be produced at these Arizona facilities have been used to produce nearly all electronics for decades. Today, however, the need for semiconductor chips stretches beyond traditional electronics, as everything from automobiles to washing machines contain computers, which use semiconductors.

With the Covid-19 pandemic reducing manufacturers’ production of chips – which are primarily manufactured in China and Taiwan, where some of the strictest Covid-19 measures in the world were imposed – and stockpiling of chips by mainland Chinese manufacturers in anticipation of restrictions being placed on exports of advanced American chips to Chinese buyers, procurement of chips has become a challenge for many manufacturers over the past year.

Since 1990, America’s share of semiconductor production has dropped from 37% to just 12%. Without a renewal of American semiconductor manufacturing, there are fears that American producers will not be able to produce the most advanced chips. 

There is bipartisan agreement that advanced American military weaponry and computing hardware cannot rely on procurement of foreign chips, especially from peer-rivals such as China.

As semiconductor producers are building new plants in the United States, Arizona has regularly been a top site, as the state offers a favorable tax and regulatory climate, competitive utility rates, and skilled workers.

In 2020, the Maricopa County Community College District with Intel and the Arizona Commerce Authority to create an artificial intelligence degree program. According to the college system, Intel is one of the top employers requesting such a skillset. According to , Arizona State University graduates make up a large majority of Intel’s workforce in the Phoenix area.

Arizona also maintains a favorable environment for employers. Arizona has right-to-work law enshrined in the state constitution, giving employees the opportunity to work at companies such as Intel and TSMC without being required to join a labor union. At 4.9%, Arizona also has one of the lowest state corporate income tax rates in the country.

Additionally, through the Qualified Facilities Tax Credit program, manufacturers creating high-paying jobs in the state can qualify for preapproved income tax credits. 

�鶹��ýӳ�� in March reported on an expansion of the Qualified Facilities Tax Credit program.

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KORE Power has chosen Buckeye, Ariz. as the location for its first lithium-ion battery production facility. The plant is slated to be a 1-million-square-foot “KOREPlex” that employs 3,000 full-time workers. 

KORE has promised that the facility will operate with net-zero carbon emissions and that it could produce enough power for up to 3.2 million homes. Further, it “will support up to 12 gigawatt hours (GWh) of battery cell production.”

According to a from the company, KORE Power is “the leading U.S.-based developer of battery cell technology for the energy storage and electric transportation industries.”

KORE’s selection of Arizona for its first factory comes amid a boom in the state’s economic prospects and the rapid expansion of its technology sector. Maricopa County, which is home to the city of Buckeye, is now the in the nation by population, and the fifth-largest county in America.

Strengthening America’s domestic battery supply chain

Lithium-ion batteries undergird everything from iPhones to energy storage, and their importance spans nearly every industry. This is increasingly true as technology develops further and people across the world become more digitally integrated.

China currently dominates lithium-ion battery supply chains, while the United States, ranked 6th place globally. China has 93 “gigafactories” which manufacture battery cells, while the U.S. only has 4. are bleak: China is slated to have 140 by 2030, and the U.S. is estimated to have 10 based on the country’s current trajectory. Even Europe will have more of these factories than America, with a projected 17 gigafactories by 2030.

The challenge extends beyond manufacturing capacity, however, and reaches into mineral extraction and processing. In fact, there is only one lithium mine in all of North America, located at Silver Peak, Nev. According to the, “Six mineral operations in Australia, two brine operations each in Argentina and Chile, and one brine and one mineral operation in China accounted for the majority of world lithium production.”

These combined statistics illustrate the niche that KORE sees itself filling. Marketing itself as the first American domestic lithium battery production company, KORE Power could lead the next generation of American high-tech manufacturing.

The Biden Administration’s focus on shifting supply chains closer to home lines up neatly with the company’s goals.

Warm welcome

Arizona leaders are welcoming KORE to the growing silicon desert. 

Gov. Doug Ducey , “Not only will this facility create thousands of new jobs, it will position Arizona as an anchor in the global battery manufacturing supply chain. We’re grateful to CEO Lindsay Gorrill and the entire KORE Power team for choosing our state. We look forward to partnering in your success for many years to come to further sustainability here in Arizona around the world.”

Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema , “I join all Arizonans in welcoming to our state KORE Power and its new manufacturing site that will create thousands of new jobs. Arizona is positioned to lead the nation on increasing America’s competitiveness in battery technology, and I will continue supporting this vital industry.”

Emphasizing the role that battery technology will play in efforts to combat climate change, Sen. Mark Kelly , “As one of the nation’s top producers of clean energy technologies, KORE Power plays an important role in maintaining American energy independence. This investment in our electric vehicle infrastructure and climate resiliency will continue to advance Arizona’s leadership in the tech sector as well as help our nation achieve its renewable energy goals.”The Arizona Commerce Authority that the new project will create 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, not to mention the 3,400 workers who will be employed to construct the facility over an approximately 18-month period.

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After more than a decade of unsuccessful legal challenges to prevent the construction of an “in-situ” copper mine within the town boundaries, the Florence Town Council agreed to settle the matter and end its court battle.     

This month, the council voted 6-0 to approve three agreements including a settlement agreement with the mine, , and its Vancouver-based owner, Taseko Mines Limited. 

After years of protracted legal battles, there was little discussion during the vote. Only one council member spoke. Vice Mayor Michelle Cordes praised the final resolution and stated that the town will benefit economically from the $230-million project. 

“For me, this has been a long thing that I’ve watched the town go through and I’m proud to sit here and say that it’s finally coming to a close, and we as a town can move forward and I hope that we have a good partnership with Florence Copper,” said Cordes, who added that the town can now enjoy benefits like other mining communities in the region. “So for us as a town, I think it’s a great thing that we’re moving forward and finally putting an end to all of this.” 

It took more than $3.2 million in failed lawsuits, private attorneys’ fees and damages to come to this point. 

It also took numerous steps by Florence Copper to gain the community’s trust in the safety and benefits of the project. Mine officials have met with thousands of residents over the years and funded like the Florence High School scoreboard, veterans projects, community gardening projects, local food banks, and college scholarships. 

“We are justifiably proud of what has been accomplished. And now, with the Town’s legal challenges in the rearview mirror we can focus on what we do best – making copper,” company officials said. 

Two decades of preparation amidst legal struggles 

The settlement agreement marks a major milestone in one of the longest, most thorough and detailed examinations of a mining project in Arizona history. 

It’s been two decades in the making since Florence Copper began exploration, permitting and the opening of a small testing site, the Wellfield test facility in Florence. 

Not only did it take years to adhere to all the necessary state and federal operating permits, but the company spent more than seven years in and out of litigation with the small town. 

Starting in 2013, the town has tried to block the mine’s temporary permit, claiming it  has no historic or legal right to the property. But lower and higher courts ruled in favor of Florence Copper on both issues. 

The most recent ruling came in March, when the rejected every argument made by the lawyers representing the town.   

In the decision, the appellate court upheld Florence Copper’s right to mine its private property and ordered the town to pay the mining company’s $1.7 million in legal fees as well as tens of thousands of dollars in accrued interest. 

Testing phase a success 

Currently, the Wellfield testing operation is in its third year of the testing phase. In addition to producing one million pounds of copper, the facility has proven safe and reliable, company officials said.  

Now, it’s on track to secure a key permit from the Environmental Protection Agency. That will pave the way to start preparing for construction and commercial scale operations. 

In gaining the community’s approval, Florence Copper executives said that the mine has taken to successfully obtain 13 state and federal permits and set the highest environmental standards to protect groundwater, soil and air quality. 

‘In-situ’ copper extraction, less harmful to planet

The mine is using a process called in-situ recovery mining, which is a less invasive extraction method than traditional mining, company officials said. The process involves dissolving copper underground into a liquid and pumping it to the surface.

“It is by far the most environmentally responsible way of extracting copper from the ground,” according to the . 

Among its advantages:

• No waste or ore removal
• No blasting or large equipment associated with traditional mining
• No open holes, waste dumps, leach pads or tailings
• Minimal noise, dust and greenhouse gas impact

Mine to fuel post-pandemic jobs, economy in region 

At full operation, the mine is expected to produce 85 million pounds of copper per year for 20 years. During that time, Florence Copper is estimated to create close to 500 jobs for Pinal County and generate $3.4 billion in economic activity for the state of Arizona.

Mining typically pays higher salaries than the average wage, which could help boost median incomes in the town, which are nearly $10,000 lower than the state median. 

During the life of the project, the mine will create significant economic benefits for Arizona and Pinal County, according to an by the L. William Seidman Research Institute in the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. 

According to the report, Florence Copper will:

• Inject about $3.4 billion into the state economy with $2.1 billion remaining in Pinal County 
• Create and support an annual average of 796 direct and indirect jobs in Arizona, with 480 in Pinal County
• Generate $1.9 billion in total personal income over the life of the project with $0.9 billion going to Pinal County workers and business owners
• Generate local and state revenues exceeding $468 million with approximately $68.5 million directly accruing to the town of Florence and $33.5 million directly accruing to Pinal County

To read more about the project, visit:

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As Maricopa County’s population continues to grow at full tilt, cities in the region are facing different challenges to manage and capitalize on the influx. 

Two communities on opposite sides of the county, Buckeye and Tempe, are having to take quite different approaches to economic development. Buckeye is only 5 percent built out with a massive 640 square miles within its boundaries. Landlocked Tempe is nearing built-out with 40 square miles.   

“Tempe is mainly growing up and Buckeye is growing out with very different issues,” said Cheryl Lombard, president and CEO of , the voice of the real estate community that hosted a virtual forum last Friday to hear from both mayors. Arizona Public Service sponsored the event.

Both cities are models of responsible growth 

With the pandemic still impacting communities and Californians and residents of other states moving here, both cities are models of “responsible development and responsible growth,” Lombard said. 

“Even though these communities are 45 miles apart, these mayors and councils are doing a great job on continuing what growth and what opportunity exists in their communities,” she said.

About 200 attendees tuned in to listen as Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn and Tempe Mayor Corey Woods talked about their unique challenges and what the future holds.  

Here’s what they had to say:

Buckeye: could rival Phoenix in population one day 

Buckeye’s biggest challenge is keeping up with explosive growth, Mayor Orsborn said.

For 20 years it has been spreading like wildfire, topping national lists year after year for its percentage growth increase  Currently, Buckeye is the second fastest growing city in the U.S., according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

It is also one of the largest in terms of land mass, stretching nearly to Wickenburg on the north and to Gila Bend on the south. In comparison, Phoenix encompasses 517 square miles. 

“Growth and Buckeye are synonymous and that will continue to be so for decades to come,” Orsborn said. 

Currently, Buckeye has almost 100,000 residents. By 2040, it’s predicted to reach 300,000. At ultimate buildout, it could house 1.5 million residents. 

Monster master planned communities rising up 

Most of the development in Buckeye has been housing. Single family homes, largely in large have been cropping up. Communities like Douglas Ranch, Sundance, Tartesso, and Festival Ranch are under construction or breaking ground soon. 

alone is 53 square miles — a little larger than Phoenix. At buildout, it will be home to about 300,000 residents with an economic impact of around $60 billion.

Commercial and industry are arriving, including that have easy access to freeway interchanges heading in all directions, the CANAMEX Corridor, and Buckeye Municipal Airport. Companies like Walmart, Cardinal IG and Five Below. Other businesses and schools are coming in like Wells Fargo, Chase Bank, Banner Health, and Great Hearts Academies. 

More businesses needed to serve population, create jobs 

With the housing boom, the biggest challenge is keeping up, Orsborn said. Water infrastructure, water resources, transportation infrastructure, and city services like fire and police are top priorities. 

The city also needs more business to serve the burgeoning population. When compared to other cities, Buckeye has about a third of the retail per capita. Healthcare, education, grocery stores, sitdown restaurants, and retail are lacking. 

Industry is needed to create jobs for local residents, Orsborn said. 

“Ninety percent of our residents currently leave the Buckeye area and travel east on I-10 to jobs outside of Buckeye. We’re looking for opportunities for people to work in the community they live in.”

Meanwhile, with so much empty land, the city has the opportunity to grow the best it can be, he said.

Tempe: city on the lake focused on workforce housing, mobility hubs 

In contrast, Tempe relies on a large commuter population coming into the city to work, attend Arizona State University, or visit amenities like , said Mayor Woods.

Home to 54 million square feet of industrial and office space, Tempe is a net importer of jobs with top research firms, Fortune 500 companies and startups. Companies like Carvana, Norton, State Farm, Honeywell and Wells Fargo. 

While about 190,000 residents live within the city, the average number of people in the city on any given day is 320,000 with the influx, Woods said. With the economy reliant on incoming people, bringing them back after the pandemic is essential. 

“First and foremost our economic development priority is getting employers, employees, residents and visitors feeling safe and getting them ready to come back to work and play.”  

Mobility hubs make getting around easier for workers, residents 

Another key goal is to reduce traffic congestion and make travel within the city easier for residents and commuters, Woods said. 

“The ability to track and expand business is to make it as accessible as possible for employees to live and travel to their workplace,” he said. 

In that vein, Tempe is working to create a new system of where people can connect to multiple modes of transportation including transit to get to work, amenities or attractions. Hubs provide residents and visitors with more options besides single occupancy driving. A hub can span one, two, or few miles to provide on-demand travel choice for short trips around a community. 

Workforce housing to attract employees is coming  

Affordable workforce housing is another priority. An initiative, , was launched by Woods last year to accelerate housing affordability to create the next generation of affordable and workforce housing opportunities in Tempe. 

The fund already has $1.5 million and the city is working to buy and build its own affordable and workforce housing options. Funds are also being used to provide incentives for developers to build affordable housing, he said. 

“Accessible affordable housing and ease of mobility really are strategies that are key to growing our economy and sustaining the living, walkable and driving city that I and the entire city council see as our collective future.”

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