Storyblocks
Why do so many microchip companies bring such a water-intensive process to drought-stricken Arizona? Part of the answer lies in the state's history.
Intel has announced a $20 billion, two-factory expansion in Chandler, and Taiwan Semiconductor is building a new plant in Phoenix.
But why do so many companies bring such a water-intensive process to drought-stricken Arizona? One listener asked just that through KJZZ's Q&AZ project.
Part of the answer lies in the state's history.
"We were Silicon Valley before Silicon Valley. Really, Silicon Valley didn't come about until sort of like the middle '50s, but Galvin put a stake in the ground here in Arizona in 1949," said Steven Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council.