Another step in realizing the construction of Amkor Technology’s facility in north Peoria has been completed.
The Peoria City Council recently approved a joint development agreement between the city, Vistancia Development LLC and Amkor to identify and define design, construction and cost responsibilities for the major project.
Amkor’s facility is planned for a 56-acre parcel in the commercial core of Vistancia known as Five North.
The agreement also includes such details for future owners/developers.
Peoria is projecting their cost for improvements to be $4.2 million.
Deputy City Manager Mike Faust said this is an investment in public infrastructure and although there is no direct repayment, the construction and property sales tax revenue more than covers this cost.
The joint agreement comes out of the development agreement between the city and Amkor approved by council in February.
“This is an operations mechanism for an agreement that is already in place,” he said.
Among other services, Amkor will package and test chips for Cuppertino, California-based Apple Inc. that nearby Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. will manufacture at its north Phoenix fab, assuring a bulk of the process will happen close to the manufacturing point.
Officials say Amkor eventually will be Peoria’s largest private employer, and the 500,000-square-foot facility will be the country’s largest outsourced advanced microchip packaging facility.
Amkor has agreed to close escrow on the property on or before Oct. 31, and agrees to commence construction on or before Sept. 30, 2025.
The Amkor property is bound by Westward Skies Drive, Desert Cactus Lane, Peakview Road and Espial Avenue.
Vistancia will construct the roads and provide utility delivery and the city, Vistancia, and future owners/developers will be responsible for its allocated costs as articulated in the joint development agreement, according to a staff report.
The report also states Amkor will be responsible for the costs of any modifications or additional improvements that it, or the city, require for the Amkor project.
“Upon substantial completion, all infrastructure improvements will be dedicated to and maintained by the city, just like any other public infrastructure,” Faust said.
Should Amkor not perform the milestones they are subject to liquidated damages not to exceed $15 million, he added.
“Even if the city does put in the public infrastructure but the project does not go forward, there are provisions for the city to be protected,” Faust said.
Peoria resident Pat Walsh, who attended the council meeting on Oct. 15 when the agreement was approved, said she has safety and environmental concerns about Amkor locating near residents.
She added Amkor should do some good will and public relations within the community.
“I would strongly encourage the council to look at the impact on the environment and the safety plan,” she said. “We really don’t want a situation where we would have a major hazmat condition, especially with residential and with a school being close by.”
Peoria resident Lawrene Bottorf said she is happy the joint development agreement was approved.
“There’s enough regulation to know that it is safe, in my understanding,” she said. “As far as poisons in the water, I know that there is an elementary school about 700 feet away from the Intel plant in Chandler. As far as I know, since 1980 there have been no issues.”
Philip Haldiman can be reached at phaldiman@iniusa.org, or on X @philiphaldiman. We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.
Meet Philip Haldiman is an award-winning journalist who most recently took first place for investigative reporting in 2023 from Arizona Newspapers Association. He joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2015, covering Sun City West his first year. Since 2016, he has covered the city of Peoria. Prior to coming to INI, he was a reporter with The Arizona Republic for seven years, covering numerous cities throughout the Valley. Before that, he was a freelance writer.
Community: Haldiman spearheads the Peoria Independent Hometown Heroes Awards program, honoring local individuals and businesses that give back to the community. He has hosted local candidate forums over the years and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists. Haldiman also served as a member of the Journalism Program Community Advisory Board at Glendale Community College. Outside journalism, Haldiman served as a member of the city of Peoria Complete Count Committee for the Census, 2019-2020. Lastly, he has served as a member of his HOA governing board since 2021.
Education: Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications and a BA in Theater.
Random Fact: Haldiman is a fourth-generation Arizonan as well as wrote and produced an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.
Hobbies: He enjoys hiking Arizona’s mountainous landscapes and is currently working on a play for the stage.
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