PACKING UP IN ARIZONA
Australia-based semiconductor technology manufacturer Syenta will deliver its first U.S. operations at the University of Arizona Research Park in Tempe. The company announced plans to locate in a 3,500-sq.-ft. facility at the park that will soon become a demonstration and development hub for Syenta’s proprietary Localized Electrochemical Manufacturing (LEM) technology. This tech allows packaging infrastructure to achieve interconnect densities that at one point could only be done on silicon within high-end foundries, having achieved interconnect resolutions of 1 micron. Operations will focus on enabling high-resolution interconnects for advanced semiconductor packaging, in addition to supporting further development of the company’s Achyon LEM platform. “Tempe is a natural choice for our first U.S. operations,” said Syenta Founder and CEO Jekaterina Viktorova. “The city offers world-class talent, research collaboration and an ecosystem that allows us to scale our advanced packaging technology in support of AI system performance worldwide.” (For more on that semiconductor and AI ecosystem, read Site Selection reports from 2025 here and here.)
Rendering courtesy of U. S. Steel
ARKANSAS IS A PREFERENCE FOR NEXT-GENERATION STEEL
United States Steel Corporation (U. S. Steel) is bringing a $1.9 billion direct reduced iron (DRI) manufacturing facility to Arkansas, according to an announcement made last week. The company has selected Osceola, Arkansas, locating its new plant at Big River Steel Works. This project will directly support production taking place at U. S. Steel’s Minnesota Ore Operations Keetac plant, which the company poured $150 million into in 2022 to enhance direct reduced-grade pellet capabilities. The Arkansas site will provide a direct link between the two facilities for mining operations, electric arc furnace feedstock creation and steel production. “From iron ore in Minnesota to steel production in Arkansas, this $1.9 billion investment strengthens our ability to create steel that is truly mined, melted, made in America, from start to finish. By vertically integrating DRI production directly at Big River Steel Works, we enhance efficiency, secure our competitive advantage and position U. S. Steel for long-term success,” said U. S. Steel President and CEO David Burritt. “Our partnership with Nippon Steel helped accelerate this investment years sooner than would have otherwise been possible.” (See “Forging Ahead: How Arkansas Became a Global Leader in Steel Production.”)
Photo couresty of IBM
HUNDREDS OF TECH ROLES EN ROUTE TO CHICAGO
The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park is set to gain a new FutureNow Chicago delivery center from global technology giant IBM. Aside from delivery, the facility will also serve as an innovation hub for the company’s clients and industry partners to pursue solutions to business and technology challenges. “IBM’s FutureNow Chicago delivery center will support new jobs, expand our Chicago delivery capability for IBM’s clients and, together, we will build the future of technology talent and create sustained economic growth,” said IBM Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna. The company is looking to create 750 new roles spanning AI, cybersecurity, data science and quantum, to name a few. About 33% of those hires are expected to be graduates from a new City Colleges apprenticeship program, in which IBM will help design to prepare students for high-tech careers. City Colleges — a system of seven public community colleges and five satellite sites in Chicago — anticipates welcoming 500 apprentices to the program over the next five years. (See Site Selection’s on-site reporting from a successful City Colleges insurance industry apprenticeship program.)
Reports compiled and written by Alexis Elmore
