As a former IBM executive and Utah State Senate minority leader, I have seen firsthand how strategic investments can reshape industries, foster innovation and drive economic growth. Now, with the Biden-Harris administration’s historic investment in new manufacturing and CHIPS plants, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and the Four Corners states stand at the threshold of an unprecedented transformation.
This funding is far more than a boost to the semiconductor industry — it represents a pivotal moment for Utahns, Arizonans and Nevadans of all backgrounds, from preschoolers embarking on their STEM education journeys to college graduates and skilled tradespeople contributing to the state’s ongoing development.
Semiconductors are the backbone of modern life, powering everything from smartphones and computers to vehicles and medical devices. The Vice President Kamala Harris-backed CHIPS and Science act is not just a windfall for our economy; it secures the Southwest’s place in an industry that is critical to the future of technology.