Scottsdale strengthens economic ties during Arizona trade mission to Taiwan
Scottsdale leaders returned from Taiwan with new relationships and a clearer understanding of how the city can participate in Arizona’s rapidly growing semiconductor and technology economy.
Mayor Lisa Borowsky, Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas and Senior Director of Economic Development and Tourism Kevin Burke represented Scottsdale as part of a statewide delegation led by the Arizona Commerce Authority. The trade mission brought together government and business leaders to strengthen economic ties and develop relationships with companies and industry organizations considering growth in the United States.
Scottsdale already has a significant position in the semiconductor sector. ASM, a global semiconductor equipment company, is investing more than $500 million in a new U.S. flagship hub for innovation in Scottsdale. The facility will include advanced research, engineering, corporate and training functions and is expected to yield approximately 1,200 jobs. ASM says the Scottsdale operation will become its largest R&D facility worldwide.
That investment comes as semiconductor suppliers are locating and expanding in Arizona at an increasing pace. Since 2020, the state has attracted more than 70 semiconductor projects representing more than $314 billion in announced investment, spanning fabrication, advanced packaging, equipment, materials, R&D and other parts of the supply chain. Arizona now ranks first nationally for semiconductor supplier announcements, according to the Arizona Commerce Authority.
“The timing matters,” City Manager Greg Caton said. “TSMC and the companies following its investment are reshaping the region’s technology economy now. ASM demonstrates that Scottsdale already has a place in that ecosystem. We need to be building relationships with the companies and decisionmakers entering Arizona while those location and investment decisions are being made.”
During the Taiwan mission, Scottsdale participated in SEMICON Taiwan and meetings with senior government, business and industry representatives. A Sept. 3 meeting with New Taipei City Deputy Mayor Her-Ran Liou also established a direct relationship between Scottsdale and Taiwan’s largest municipality.
“Scottsdale has a distinct role in the semiconductor ecosystem,” Burke said. “Major manufacturing investments create demand for headquarters, executive offices, professional services, corporate travel and executive housing. Scottsdale is well positioned to compete for those opportunities and support the international companies and relationships growing around Arizona’s semiconductor economy.”
The trip represents a modest initial investment in a long-term business development strategy. Semiconductor recruitment is relationship-driven, and many of the companies and industry organizations Scottsdale wants to know are concentrated at international industry events such as SEMICON. Scottsdale’s participation provides direct access to those networks at a time when companies throughout the semiconductor supply chain are actively establishing or expanding U.S. operations.
Taiwan is Arizona’s second-largest trading partner, with more than $21 billion in bilateral trade, according to the Arizona Commerce Authority. TSMC’s planned Arizona investment has grown to $265 billion, and its expansion is helping drive additional supplier, equipment, materials and technology investment throughout the state.
Scottsdale’s office market, executive housing, resorts, meeting facilities, skilled workforce and quality of life complement the region’s manufacturing base and position the city to support companies, executives and business activity associated with international investment.
Scottsdale will build on the relationships established in Taiwan through continued engagement with industry associations, international companies and government partners, positioning the city to compete for the headquarters, professional services, executive and hospitality opportunities emerging from Arizona’s growing semiconductor economy.