Q: How does this major influx of semiconductor-related businesses to the Valley help you?
Mohammed Ahmad
Assistant Vice President of Business Banking
Arizona Financial Credit Union
Sector: Financial
The semiconductor industry is booming here in Phoenix, and you can feel the impact everywhere. New facilities are going up, jobs are being created and families are moving in to be part of it all. It’s not just about the factories; it’s about the ripple effect of new restaurants opening their doors, small businesses expanding and neighborhoods growing to welcome new residents.
At Arizona Financial, we’re excited to support this momentum. With our diverse line of loan services in commercial, construction and residential, we are primed to help sustain the growth across the Valley and state. As a Small Business Administration preferred lending partner, we are poised to continue supporting small business growth and look forward to helping entrepreneurs as our Valley grows.
With this growth, we are also collaborating with our partners across the business and nonprofit sectors to continue the support of community groups that keep our collective communities sustainable through both our volunteerism and philanthropic giving. And for the many people relocating here to work in this industry, we’re making sure they have the financial tools and everyday banking support they need to settle in quickly.
Phoenix is at a turning point, and we’re proud to help make sure this growth benefits everyone.
Mohammed Ahmad is the assistant vice president of Business Banking at Arizona Financial Credit Union in Phoenix. With 17 years in banking and a degree in economics from ASU, he is dedicated to supporting Arizona’s business community and advancing equity for minority entrepreneurs through efforts like Local First Arizona’s We Rise accelerator.
Justin Brown
President
Southwest Gas Corporation
Sector: Utilities
As Arizona’s semiconductor industry expands at an unprecedented pace, I’ve seen firsthand how this growth is not only reshaping Arizona’s economy but also driving Southwest Gas to grow and expand our service. Semiconductor manufacturing is energy-intensive, requiring consistent, high-quality energy to maintain precision and scale. By providing safe, affordable and reliable natural gas service, we ensure these advanced facilities have the stable energy they need — while also creating opportunities for us to extend and modernize our infrastructure.
This demand allows us to strengthen and expand our service areas, ensuring communities and businesses benefit from the same energy options. As semiconductors fuel economic development, we’re not just powering factories, we’re investing in the neighborhoods, schools, healthcare facilities, small businesses and restaurants alongside them.
By working hand in hand with city planners, economic developers and industry leaders, Southwest Gas is expanding in step with Arizona’s semiconductor growth. This collaboration enhances our reach and reinforces our role in delivering a sustainable, balanced energy mix that keeps Arizona’s economy moving forward.
Justin Brown is president of Southwest Gas Corporation, where he leads the company’s utility business. He drives the company’s commitment to delivering safe, reliable, sustainable and affordable energy service to its 2.2 million customers, across its three-state service territory of Arizona, California and Nevada.
Ian Shantz
Vice President
Hunter Contracting Co.
Sector: Construction
The rapid expansion of semiconductor-related businesses in the Valley — led by transformative projects such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company — is driving major economic and infrastructure growth. These investments fuel improvements in transportation networks, utility systems and community facilities, creating opportunities for local contractors to deliver complex, multi-stakeholder projects. For companies like ours, it means partnering with public agencies, private developers and utility providers to design and build infrastructure that supports sustained economic vitality.
The increased demand for high-quality roads, water systems and power infrastructure raises the bar for coordination, safety and performance standards. These projects also encourage close collaboration between engineers, contractors and municipalities to meet aggressive schedules while minimizing disruption to surrounding communities.
Beyond immediate construction efforts, this wave of development positions the Valley as a leader in advanced manufacturing, attracting additional investment, creating jobs and fostering innovation. The resulting ripple effect benefits industries across the region and underscores the importance of building resilient, adaptable infrastructure to meet current needs and accommodate future growth.
Hunter Contracting Co., founded in 1961, is an Arizona-based heavy civil contractor specializing in transportation, bridges and structures, water and wastewater, underground utilities and rehabilitation, irrigation and flood control, site development, parks and recreation, and building projects. With extensive experience in complex, multi-phase infrastructure, Hunter partners with public and private clients to deliver safe, high-quality, cost-effective solutions that support community growth. Headquartered in Gilbert, Arizona, serving statewide.
