Intel Uses White House Setting to Announce $7 Billion Arizona Chip Plant

Intel chose the White House as the setting for announcing its $7 billion investment in a new Chandler, Arizona, semiconductor plant because it backs the Trump administration’s policies to “make U.S. manufacturing competitive worldwide through new regulatory standards and investment policies,” CEO Brian Krzanich told employees in a Wednesday email. When complete, the plant “will produce the most advanced computer chips in the world,” Krzanich said. It also will create about 3,000 full-time Intel jobs and more than 10,000 jobs in Arizona to run and support the factory, he said. “Government policies play a critical role in enabling and sustaining American-driven innovation,” he said. “When we disagree, we don’t walk away. We believe that we must be part of the conversation to voice our views on key issues such as immigration, H1B visas and other policies that are essential to innovation.” Intel was among dozens of prominent tech companies signing an amici brief Sunday backing Washington and Minnesota in their fight to keep President Donald Trump’s now-suspended immigration executive order from being reinstated (see 1702060016).