Pima Supervisor Matt Heinz: Pursue semiconductor jobs — but only with water, utility and transparency safeguards

Pima County Supervisor Matt Heinz said the county should actively pursue high-paying jobs tied to Arizona's growing semiconductor industry but only under firm protections for water, utility customers and public transparency. Heinz described economic development as a core county responsibility while setting limits on the types of projects the county will welcome.

Why he supports semiconductor recruitment

Heinz noted southern Arizona is positioning to attract chipmakers that have driven large employment clusters in metro Phoenix. He emphasized the county is targeting semiconductor operations that use less water and that match regional workplace and environmental priorities. Heinz mentioned Taiwanese firms that stress worker retention, on-site child care, health clinics and water-reuse programs as examples of the employers Pima wants to recruit.

Utility rates and low-income protections

Master-meter problem for mobile-home parks

A concrete county demand in the rate case is a fix for mobile-home parks served by a single master meter. When an entire park shares one meter, individual renters cannot apply for income-based discounts. Heinz said the county seeks remedies so qualifying low-income residents can access proposed discounts TEP has offered, contingent on regulator approval.

Project disclosure and growth standards

Heinz described ongoing work with the city to build standards for water- and power-intensive development such as data centers, industrial facilities and large subdivisions. He urged earlier and clearer disclosures before projects proceed: who is proposing a project, its approximate location and its expected energy and water use. He referenced Project Blue, a proposed data-center development that drew criticism for its potential resource impacts, as the kind of case that prompts demand for more transparency.

Clean-energy transition and grid tools

Heinz also mentioned renewed efforts to bring passenger rail between Tucson and Phoenix, with eventual connections to Mexico. He said county economic development work includes direct outreach to Taiwan-based firms exploring expansion near Phoenix's semiconductor cluster.

Heinz wants semiconductor jobs and broader economic growth, but he conditions that pursuit on enforceable protections for water supplies, consumer electricity costs and stronger upfront disclosure of large projects. He positions the county to weigh economic opportunity against resource limits and affordability for residents.