OCTOBER 2025

Cover Story

SEMI Complete: The Semiconductor Ecosystem Brings Arizona Front and Center

In her Guest Editor Letter for this October edition of In Business Magazine, TSMC Arizona President Rose Castanares cites figures from the Arizona Commerce Authority that Arizona has attracted more than 60 expansions in the semiconductor … [More]

Features

The Power of Communications

In today’s business environment, innovation alone isn’t enough. To stand out, companies must communicate both how they innovate and why (just ask author Simon Sinek). A chip breakthrough, a new platform or an AI-driven solution can transform … [More]

Powering the Future: How the SEMI Foundation Is Building America’s High-Tech Workforce

In a brightly lit room at a local Arizona science center, a group of middle school students huddle around a small workstation, carefully donning miniature cleanroom suits. Their eyes widen as they peer through microscopes, manipulating tiny silicon … [More]

Roundtable

Import Tariffs: The Hidden Costs of Staying Competitive

In Arizona, where population growth and record-breaking demand are stretching the power grid, the push for new solar and energy infrastructure is as … [More]

Economy

Not Just Dollars: Why U.S. Firms Should Consider Transacting in Foreign Currencies

For decades, most U.S. businesses have defaulted to transacting international business in U.S. dollars. The dollar’s status as the world’s reserve … [More]

Nonprofit

Understanding AI in the Nonprofit Setting

When the National Eating Disorders Association implemented a wellness chatbot named Tessa as a replacement for its human-staffed national helpline, … [More]

By The Numbers

An Economy in the Chips

Thanks to a purposeful focus and our vaunted collaborative environment among economic development organizations that include Arizona Commerce … [More]

From the Top

Joe Stockunas Eyes Growth Opportunities for SEMICON West

When Joe Stockunas talks about SEMI, he doesn’t sound like someone running a trade association. He sounds like an industry guy who’s spent decades in the trenches and knows how hard it is to get … [More]

Legal

Layoff Logic: How to Avoid a Short Circuit with a Lawful Workforce Contraction Strategy

As technology, demand and regulations rapidly evolve, the tech sector generally and semiconductor companies specifically must learn and master how to legally expand and contract their workforces to … [More]

Startups

Cross-Border Cultural and Safety Awareness with Travel App GrinGO

GrinGO is a leading travel and safety app dedicated to enhancing cross-border experiences for United States travelers into Mexico. Through strategic partnerships and innovative solutions, the GrinGO … [More]

JHJ Collective Helps Clients ‘Do Good. Go Far.’

JHJ Collective is a consulting firm dedicated to supporting organizations that do good for others. Specializing in cause-related marketing strategy and leadership coaching, the firm helps clients … [More]

Healthcare

The Workforce Crisis No One Is Talking About: Why Employers Must Rethink Caregiving Support

There is a workforce crisis hiding in plain sight — one most employers have not yet acknowledged (although the CHIPS and Science Act presaged this with its inclusion of childcare to help the semiconductor industry attract and retain caregivers). It … [More]

Technology

Powering Phoenix’s Tech Growth with Data Infrastructure

Greater Phoenix is climbing fast as one of the nation’s top technology hubs. The region has seen record-breaking job growth in software, semiconductors and AI-driven enterprises. But behind every startup and every Fortune 500 expansion is a basic … [More]

Semi Insights

Waste Reduction Is Key for the Semiconductor Industry

It could not be a better time to do business in the Valley of the Sun, where the Phoenix region’s dominance in the microchip semiconductor industry is taking an already-booming economy to new levels of growth and opportunity. Long recognized as a … [More]

Arizona Leads the Way in Building Resilient Supply Chains

In today's fast-paced global economy, agile and responsive supply networks are crucial for business success. Arizona emerges as a pioneer in supply chain resilience, offering innovative solutions to meet modern challenges, particularly in the … [More]

CRE

Multifamily Real Estate Development in the Phoenix Metro Area

I started working for P.B. Bell, one of Phoenix’s most well-known multifamily developers, 10 years ago. Since that time, the multifamily real estate market has undergone significant change. The Phoenix Metro Area has always been an attractive … [More]

Sustainable Water Management Starts with Strong Infrastructure

Living in a desert under drought conditions inevitably makes water management a priority for Arizona residents, municipalities and businesses. As Maricopa County continues to see residential and commercial growth, the demand for reliable water and … [More]

Briefs

New Facility Opens for Advanced Manufacturing and More at West-MEC Campus

Western Maricopa Education Center, known as West-MEC, recently celebrated the completion of its new Advanced Manufacturing and Welding building and Electric Vehicle building addition at its Northeast Campus in Phoenix. The new 16,500-square-foot … [More]

SEMIquest Connects Arizona Students to the Future of Chips

When SEMICON West opens in downtown Phoenix this October, it won’t just be industry leaders gathering. Just a few blocks away, students will step into SEMIquest, a new interactive exhibit at the Arizona Science Center that brings the semiconductor … [More]

The Business Case for Mental Healthcare

Mental health is no longer just a personal issue — it’s a workforce crisis. Nationwide, conditions like depression, anxiety and PTSD now cause more long-term health problems than any other illness. A new report from McKinsey & Company shows … [More]