TSMC built in AZ with the expectation that they would be able to leverage the existing engineers. The problem is that they built on the opposite side of Phoenix

TSMC built in AZ with the expectation that they would be able to leverage the existing engineers. The problem is that they built on the opposite side of Phoenix from all the other semiconductor plants. To commute from one side of Phoenix to the other is well over 1.5 hours during rush hour. Now, all the engineering talent has houses and families over in Chandler/Gilbert, with 3% interest rates, and would either need to sell their houses and buy a new one at 7% on the other side of town, or commute 3 hours a day. Intel has one of the largest semiconductor plants in Chandler, with some of their lowest defect rates, but for some reason TSMC thinks the AZ workers don’t have the skills or work ethic. Sure, you’re going to find engineers on performance plans willing to leave Intel, Samsung, Microchip, etc, but they’re not going to be the cream of the crop.