Congressman Biggs Urges Department of Commerce to Match Arizona’s Commitment to Semiconductor Supply Chain

This week, Congressman Andy Biggs led a letter to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick urging him to reaffirm Arizona as the site of the co-located National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) Prototyping and National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP) Advanced Packaging Piloting Facility. 

Arizona was selected for this cutting-edge facility in January, confirming Arizona’s leadership in semiconductor development and manufacturing. The facility would be located at the Arizona State University (ASU) Research Park, creating a partnership where ASU’s robust research programs would jumpstart development. In August, Commerce announced that National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) would take over management of NSTC and delayed advancement of the facility in Arizona.

“Arizona is the ideal choice for the co-located prototyping and packaging facility. We have the fastest growing semiconductor ecosystem in the country and can support every aspect, from research to manufacturing, packaging, and workforce development. There have been billions of dollars of private investment put into the industry in Arizona, presenting a unique opportunity to leverage that investment and secure our nation’s semiconductor future. Arizona is committed to building this critical supply chain. I look forward to NSTC’s affirmation of Arizona as the home for the pilot facility,” said Congressman Biggs.

“Arizona State University has the resources and has done the groundwork to support this national lab which will be a critical piece of the semiconductor supply chain that serves the nation with research and development, manufacturing and workforce development,” said ASU President Michael Crow. “This work is essential to U.S. economic stability, defense security, and it begins with building new expanded national hubs for advanced training and technology development.”

Congressmen Eli Crane (AZ-02), Paul Gosar (AZ-09), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), and Abe Hamadeh (AZ-08) also signed the letter.

The full letter may be read here.