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TSMC gives insight into Arizona factory to compete for federal chips funding

November 23, 2022

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is vying for federal funds by highlighting its work globally and its current and future operations at its planned Phoenix factory. In response to the U.S. Department of Commerce request for information on the implementation of the CHIPS incentives program, TSMC said that the CHIPS Program Office should prioritize grant applicants that have a “long successful track record in advanced logic fabrication, R&D and existing sizable headcount that offers decisive proof points that the incentives provided will lead to a successful investment result.”

Tempe-based First Solar building a $1.1B manufacturing plant in Alabama

November 23, 2022

Alabama will soon welcome an Arizona green manufacturer that will invest more than $1.1 billion bringing a facility to the state. Tempe-headquartered First Solar Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) plans to establish a photovoltaic (PV) solar module manufacturing facility in Lawrence County, creating more than 700 new jobs in North Alabama. According to a release, the factory is part of the company’s previously announced investment in scaling its American manufacturing footprint to more than 10 gigawatts by 2025.

ACC approves energy saving programs for APS and TEP customers

November 23, 2022

Yesterday, utility regulators at Arizona Corporation Commission approved new energy saving programs for Arizona Public Service (APS) and Tucson Electric Power (TEP) customers. The energy efficiency programs, unique to each service territory, will give customers more options to save money on their utility bills and improve the health and safety of individuals. The decision to approve $97 million annually for both utilities includes funding for several new offerings, such as Advanced Rooftop Controls that improve indoor air quality for public schools and expanded access to home weatherization services that can make or break many customers’ electric bills.

Member news: November 2022

November 22, 2022

Co-led by Startup Tucson and the University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI), 25th annual IdeaFunding provides opportunity for 25 Arizona companies to compete for $50K in prizes; Scottsdale Community College to host Girls Get IT event on November 4 to encourage local high school girls to pursue IT careers; Qwick launches on-demand hospitality staffing app in Cleveland; Honeywell Aerospace wins contract to provide engines for UK military helicopters; BestCompaniesAZ lists best companies for millennials; Penguin Solutions’ new Penguin Edge IFC6720 platform enables innovation for video content distribution; Yield Engineering Systems partners with Benchmark for global engineering and manufacturing support; Terkel shares 14 tips for hiring your next developer; Sky Harbor receives $194 million from feds for new taxiway; GitKraken launches free Git certification for software developers at October tech conference; BusinessWhys, Lumen and Macroscope Studios appear on September 2022 episode of AZTechCast to discuss strategic analysis; University of Advancing Technology kicks off semester with the Provost Challenge to dive right into creating, building and innovating; Mesa and Tucson to get a slice of $1 million in DoorDash gift cards to help the hungry; Boeing sells Apache helicopters to Poland, expands Mesa operations; Qwick named 32nd fastest-growing company in the U.S., reaches 500K shifts filled by hospitality pros; The PMO Squad recognized by the Phoenix Business Journal as Micro-Sized Company winner of the Small Business Awards; Raytheon and Northrup Grumman awarded hypersonic missile contract worth nearly $1B; and Moruga Inc. names new chief operating officer.

Clean energy news: November 2022

November 22, 2022

I-10 to become first electric corridor network of electric heavy-duty charging centers; Aligned Data Centers to expand Phoenix footprint with two mega campuses; Nikola Corp. acquires large site in West Valley; Phoenix Water hosting town halls on Colorado River shortage; Nikola Corp. completes exchange offer to acquire Romeo Power common stock; Lucid says it’s on track for reduced production target after tripling Q3 output; Atlis Motors says Australian company placed order for EV charging stations; Arizona’s clean energy future could swing on governor’s race; don’t think of deserts as wastelands, researchers say, but as a key to our climate future; low-income communities in Phoenix, other cities learn to tackle climate-fueled heat; Arizona ranks among national leaders in solar growth; lithium-ion battery recycler proposes Pinal County facility; electric vehicle, semiconductor industries eager to build out Pinal County supply chain; Atlis Motors shares get a huge jolt on first day of Nasdaq trading; Arizona continues to attract solar development projects, more new jobs; Navajo Nation’s largest school district gets first electric buses; new electric vehicle registrations grew more than 250% over the last five years; and federal legislation energizes Arizona for a cleaner tomorrow.

AZ Corporation Commission approves changes to plan to expand wind power in Arizona

November 22, 2022

The Arizona Corporation Commission has approved a modification to a plan for new transmission lines. The vote could pave the way for more wind energy in Arizona. The SunZia Southwest Transmission Project will move wind power from central New Mexico to substations in Pinal County, bringing clean energy to rural communities and California markets.

Manufacturing co. boosts Arizona economy with opening of optical production facility and new headquarters

November 22, 2022

Viavi Solutions Inc. announced it has opened its new production facility in Chandler, Arizona. The company has added to U.S. manufacturing capacity as it has grown its presence in the state, including the move of its global headquarters. Since preparations to move its global headquarters from California began in 2021, the company has already made significant contributions to the business and technology community.

Arizona plans to give millions to ASU for water innovation, research

November 22, 2022

The state of Arizona plans to invest $40 million in Arizona State University to lead a multi-year initiative for the state’s future water supply. The university said in a Wednesday announcement from ASU and Gov. Doug Ducey that it will work with industrial, municipal, agricultural, tribal and international partners to accelerate and deploy new approaches and technology for water conversation, augmentation, desalination, efficiency, infrastructure and reuse.

Apple to buy chips from Arizona semiconductor plant, report says

November 21, 2022

Apple Inc. plans to buy chips from an Arizona semiconductor plant that expects to begin operations in 2024, Bloomberg News reported. Tim Cook, CEO of the tech giant, seemed to refer to the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. fab that’s under construction in north Phoenix when he made the remarks during internal meetings in Germany, Bloomberg reported.

Tucson startup Phantom Space heralds milestone with successful rocket engine test

November 21, 2022

Tucson-based space rocket maker Phantom Space says it has reached a major milestone in its development with a successful test of its signature rocket system. Using a single Hadley thrust engine from Colorado company Ursa Major Technologies, the Arizona startup’s 60-second hot-fire test on Nov. 14 at Spaceport America in New Mexico validated elements of the first and second stages — together called the pathfinder stage — for the company’s Daytona Launch system. A hot-fire test is the final systems test and first launch of a flight stage.

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