New $5 billion Intel facility planned for Chandler

Ryan Randazzo and Edythe Jensen
Feb. 18, 2011 03:37 PM
The Arizona Republic

Intel Corp. is planning a $5 billion new factory in Chandler that the company says will be the most advanced semiconductor factory in the world.

The facility, which will employ about 1,000 workers when it opens in 2013, follows the multibillion dollar investment the company announced in October to revamp its existing two fabrication facilities, or fabs, in Chandler.

The project will alr bring thousands of construction and factory jobs to "Fab 42" when construction begins this summer, officials said.

"Fab 42 will be the most advanced, high-volume semiconductor factory in the world," Intel President/CEO Paul Otellini said Friday during a presentation at its Oregon facility announcing the project during a visit from President Barack Obama.

"One thing critical to my citizens is new jobs, and this goes a long way," Chandler Mayor Jay Tibshraeny said. "Intel likes the partnership it has with Chandler, likes doing business in Arizona and they're a very good corporate citizen."

He said he first heard that Chandler was in the running for this project less than two weeks ago. But he didn't learn of the decision until after Intel officials made the announcement in Oregon.

Tibshraeny was mayor in the early 1990s when Intel built its first fab in the city and he returned to the office last month.

"There's a saying that a rising tide raises all ships," Tibshraeny said. "That rising tide is in Chandler."

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