Intel's layoffs are hitting the Grand Canyon State.
A notice for 385 layoffs at the corporation's Chandler facility was posted on Wednesday, as the company announced this summer that 15,000 workers would be laid off around the world.
"The Governor’s Office is already mobilizing rapid response resources at DES to connect affected workers with the resources they need to receive support and find new employment," Gov. Katie Hobbs' spokesman Christian Slater told The Center Square in a statement. "Ensuring that every Arizonan has access to good-paying jobs is a top priority for Governor Hobbs, and she will continue bringing together workers and businesses to navigate challenges, create jobs and build an economy that helps every Arizonan thrive."
The company, which plays a key role in the country's growing semiconductor industry, faced scrutiny following the layoff announcements, as it is in a preliminary agreement with the federal government for up to $8.5 billion in CHIPS and Science Act grants. The money has not been provided to the company yet, and $50 million in the funding is intended for the company's workforce development.
“This further underscores the importance of the CHIPS Act. American companies like Intel are facing unprecedented competition from China, but thanks to the CHIPS Act, we’re making sure Intel, and other companies can manufacture the most advanced chips right here in America—creating thousands of construction jobs, and generating even more good-paying, permanent technician jobs in Chandler and across the state that don’t require a four-year degree," a spokesperson for Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly's office told The Center Square in a statement. Kelly has been a key leader in semiconductor legislation.
The semiconductor industry continues to play a crucial role in Arizona, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and other aspects of the supply chain set up shop or expand in the state.
