Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Showcasing Arizona at SEMICON West and ICSC
by Community Contributor • • Comments Off on Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Showcasing Arizona at SEMICON West and ICSC
Good afternoon,
Recently, ECoNA and our regional partners took Northern Arizona’s story of opportunity and innovation to two major industry event – SEMICON West and ICSC@Western – reaching decision makers who can help shape our region’s economic future.
This was the first year the SEMICON West was hosted in Phoenix, underscoring Arizona’s growing leadership in the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Our primary goal was to promote northern Arizona as a strategic extension of the state’s high-tech corridor, with development opportunities as little as 60 minutes away from the nation’s fastest growing semi-conductor hub.
We highlighted the region’s talent pipeline, multimodal logistics, and exceptional quality of life as key advantages for companies looking to relocate or expand. Developments we promoted included the Northern Arizona Tech Park in Flagstaff; the Winslow Industrial Park; the former Schuff Steel facility in Bellemont; and the 500 acres available for development along the 260 Corridor in Camp Verde.
Northern Arizona University also made an impressive showing. Its Sanghi College of Engineering spotlighted the new state-registered Process Technician Apprenticeship Program, developed in partnership with TSMC Arizona, the City of Phoenix and Rio Salado College. Additionally, NAU’s Microelectronics Processing, Characterization, and Testing Center provides end-to-end R&D capabilities to advance semiconductor and nanotech innovation.
I’d also like to give a special thanks to Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, who encouraged businesses exploring Arizona to consider northern Arizona if the Valley isn’t the right fit – an endorsement that highlights our region’s importance to Arizona’s overall economic strength.
ECoNA and regional representatives also attended ICSC@Western in Palm Springs last month. The event, hosted by ICSC, brings togethers leaders in the “marketplaces industry” – the spaces where people shop, dine, work, and gather.
Our delegation included representatives from Camp Verde, Flagstaff and Winslow. Together, we connected with developers, retailers, and investors interested in northern Arizona’s commercial real estate.
From advanced manufacturing to retail development, ECoNA continues to ensure that northern Arizona’s strengths are recognized on the national stage, and that potential developers know we are rich in talent and open for business.
