TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs confirmed on Tuesday (Sept. 19) that the TSMC Arizona Fab's construction is on schedule, announcing that the state is also in discussions about advanced packaging with TSMC after meeting with high-level executives from the chipmaker a day earlier.
After attending the 2023 U.S. Business Day and Taiwan-U.S. Supply Chain Partnership Forum, Hobbs highlighted that the meeting with TSMC went well, as the U.S. delegation team discussed the continued partnership with the Taiwan-based chipmaker and expressed their impression of the speed of the chip fab in Arizona State.
Despite broad concerns that the Arizona plant may face delays due to a shortage of skilled workers and ongoing challenges in communicating with local union workers, Hobbs stated, "We will continue to ensure that we have the skilled workforce needed, both on the manufacturing and construction sides."
Emphasizing that the project is progressing well in the United States, Hobbs reassured the necessity for the world's largest contract chipmaker to maintain their investments in Arizona and voiced support for "continuing to address any issues that arise."
Hobbs, sworn in as Arizona's 24th governor earlier this year, is visiting Taiwan from Sept. 16 to 20 for the second time since 2016, accompanied by a group of U.S. officials. The delegation team will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen later that day to exchange insights on U.S.-Taiwan trade relations and deepen economic ties with Arizona State.
On Monday, the Investment Commission of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEAIC) approved eight major investment cases, including TSMC's application to invest an additional US＄4.5 billion in its Arizona fab for advanced chip production.