In swing state Arizona, an $8.5 billion CHIPS grant spells ‘jobs’ more than geopolitics

Chandler, Arizona — In the thriving Phoenix metro region, Washington officials’ unusual bipartisan push to strengthen national security in their high-tech arms race with China sparks strong support for something more fundamental: jobs.

A new $8.5 billion in CHIPS and Science Act financing would help Intel develop two semiconductor facilities and expand an existing one in Chandler, 30 minutes southeast of downtown Phoenix, creating thousands of high-paying jobs.

“That’s what the city needs — jobs,” said Alfred Garza, a lifetime Chandler resident who has seen it grow over the years “to the point where, my God, they took all the natural beauty.”

“I hope it helps the community, because, look, this side of the city is still run-down,” he went on to say. “Intel, I think, would be a good beginning.”

The tech behemoth already employs 13,000 people in the Phoenix area, and the White House expects the Arizona projects to create 3,000 more manufacturing jobs and at least twice as many construction jobs — on par with the gains expected in Ohio, the second of four states, along with New Mexico and Oregon, where federal grants are assisting Intel in expanding its chip operations.

“Made in America is good — to me and a bunch of others sitting up in our community,” he remarked.

Many leaders in Chandler were eager to express this view on Wednesday.

“The CHIPS and Science Act is a huge jobs creator,” National Economic Council Director Lael Brainard told NBC News, adding that the influence will extend beyond Intel’s own staff. “That also leads to all kinds of nearby restaurants’ having business, nearby service small businesses’ starting up and hiring workers of their own.”

The tech behemoth already employs 13,000 people in the Phoenix area, and the White House expects the Arizona projects to create 3,000 more manufacturing jobs and at least twice as many construction jobs — on par with the gains expected in Ohio, the second of four states, along with New Mexico and Oregon, where federal grants are assisting Intel in expanding its chip operations.

“Made in America is good — to me and a bunch of others sitting up in our community,” he remarked.