ACA Leads Korea Economic Development Delegation
Uptown Phoenix

ACA logo. Photo provided by Metro Phoenix Alliance.

Connected Driving Program

Arizona continues to attract record levels of foreign investment and strengthen its global business ties. Building on that momentum, the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) will lead an economic development delegation to the Republic of Korea from Aug. 12-14, 2026. The ACA will partner with the City of Peoria, Amkor Technology, the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), and Opus.

During the visit, delegates will meet with leaders from government, business, and academia. The group will also visit Amkor Technology Korea as the company builds its $7 billion semiconductor packaging and testing facility in Peoria. Amkor expects to complete the project in early 2028. Once operational, the facility will become the first high-volume advanced packaging and testing OSAT operation in the United States. The project is expected to create 3,000 jobs in Metro Phoenix.

The delegation will also meet with officials from Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Additional meetings will include representatives from the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology, Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, and Korea Semiconductor Industry Association. The ACA will also host an Arizona Forum to highlight the state’s business climate, investment opportunities, and expanding semiconductor industry.

PHOENIX, AZ (August 10, 2026) – With surging economic momentum and record foreign direct investment, the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) in partnership with the City of Peoria, Amkor, GPEC, and Opus, will lead an economic development delegation visit to the Republic of Korea on August 12-August 14, 2026.

During the visit, the delegation will meet with leaders across government, business, and academia sectors, as well as visiting Amkor Technology Korea. Construction of Amkor Technology’s $7 billion advanced packaging and testing facility in Peoria is underway and on track to be completed in early 2028. The facility will become the first high‑volume advanced packaging OSAT facility in the U.S., creating up to 3,000 new jobs.

The visit also includes meetings with government leaders from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, as well as the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT), Korea Trade‑Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), and the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association (KSIA). The ACA will also host an Arizona Forum, showcasing the state’s premier business and investment strengths.

“This delegation visit will further strengthen Arizona’s growing partnership with the Republic of Korea, one of our fastest‑growing and most important trade relationships,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “Arizona’s collaboration with Korean industry and government partners continues to accelerate major investments, innovation, and advanced manufacturing opportunities across our state. We look forward to strengthening these ties and are grateful to our Arizona delegation partners for their leadership and support.”

“Amkor’s history in Korea and our significant investment in Arizona give us a unique perspective on the value of international collaboration,” said Kevin Engel, President and Chief Executive Officer, Amkor Technology, Inc. “This delegation highlights the strong partnership between Arizona and the Republic of Korea and the important role it plays in advancing semiconductor innovation, attracting investment, and strengthening supply chain resilience. We look forward to continuing to work alongside our partners to support the growth of Arizona’s semiconductor ecosystem and reinforce America’s leadership in advanced manufacturing.”

“This visit is an important opportunity to strengthen the relationships that are driving Peoria’s economic future,” said City of Peoria Vice Mayor Michael Finn. “As Amkor’s historic investment continues to take shape in Peoria, we’re committed to fostering lasting partnerships with local, regional, and international partners to create new opportunities for innovation, workforce development, and future investment. I look forward to representing our community and reinforcing that Peoria is a premier destination for advanced manufacturing and global business.”

In 2025, total trade between Arizona and Korea exceeded $2.33 billion and has grown over 160% since 2021.

In 2023, Arizona opened a Trade and Investment Office in Seoul, South Korea. The office serves as a platform to expand trade, investment, and economic collaboration between Arizona and the Republic of Korea.

Sponsor Members

About Arizona Commerce Authority

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state’s leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona’s economy. The ACA advances the state’s economy through a three-part strategy: attract, expand, and create. They recruit out-of-state companies to establish Arizona operations, help existing businesses grow in Arizona, and support entrepreneurs launch new companies in targeted industries.

Share...

Sponsor Members

Receive Metro Phoenix Business News in your email...
✔ Weekly Updates     ✔ Local Insights      ✔ No SPAM

Tag Cloud

Add as a preferred source on Google
Metro Phoenix Alliance Member Directory Map

Cyclic Materials opened its first commercial-scale rare earth magnet recycling facility in @cityofmesa, strengthening the domestic supply of rare earth elements and critical minerals. The company invested more than $30 million in the 144,000-square-foot facility, which will initially create more than 25 jobs. The plant can process up to 25,000 metric tons of end-of-life products containing magnets each year. Cyclic Materials will recover rare earth magnet concentrate through its Mag-Xtract™ process, along with critical materials such as copper, aluminum and steel. Federal, state and local leaders joined company executives to celebrate the facility’s grand opening. #cyclicmaterials #silicondesert #mesaaz #advancedmanufacturing #metrophx
Heritage Park (@heritageparkgilbert), a new mixed-use destination taking shape in (@downtowngilbertaz) Gilbert’s Heritage District, has announced its first five tenants. The lineup includes Arizona’s first Popup Bagels (@popupbagels), along with La La Land, Hudson House, Salt & Straw, and @solidcore. Construction continues across the development, with the first businesses expected to open in the second quarter of 2027. #gilbertaz #heritagedistrict #heritagepark #townofgilbert #metrophx
Scottsdale-based @barrett_jackson has launched Digital Select Auctions, a premium online marketplace for curated collector vehicles. The platform allows enthusiasts worldwide to bid during exclusive, timed digital auctions. Barrett-Jackson will oversee each transaction, including holding the money and vehicle title, to provide buyers and sellers with greater confidence. The company will also verify completed sales and apply its auction expertise to the process. The first Digital Select Auction will run Nov. 5-12 at Barrett-Jackson.com. #barrettjackson #autoauction #automobilia #scottsdaleaz #metrophx
The Metro Phoenix housing market continues to earn national recognition, with five Valley cities ranking among the country’s 50 best real estate markets, according to a new @wallethub analysis. The Best Real Estate Markets 2026 report determines the best local real estate markets in the U.S. WalletHub compared 300 cities of varying sizes across 17 key indicators of housing-market attractiveness and economic strength. The study places Gilbert at 13, followed by Surprise at 27, Peoria at 42, Tempe at 46 and Chandler at 50.
#metrophx #realestatemarket2026 #gilbertaz #surpriseaz #peoriaaz
Tempe-based Dutch Bros Coffee plans to acquire 51 former Salad and Go locations after the fast-casual chain filed for bankruptcy, with the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak contributing to its collapse. Court documents filed Tuesday in federal bankruptcy court identify a Dutch Bros-affiliated LLC as the buyer of dozens of Salad and Go restaurants in Arizona and Nevada, along with leases for additional former locations in Texas and Oklahoma. #saladandgo #dutchbros #dutchbroscoffee #tempeaz #drivethru
Salad and Go filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday and announced it will permanently close all of its locations, serving its final meals Wednesday. The Gilbert-founded drive-thru restaurant chain submitted voluntary bankruptcy petitions in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas in Houston.

The company said declining consumer demand, rapid expansion challenges, and rising operating costs made its business unsustainable. Salad and Go also said the Cyclospora foodborne illness outbreak in July hurt sales, even though health officials did not link the chain to the contamination. #saladandgo #gilbertaz #cyclospora #bankruptcy #chapter11
@wallethub has released its 2026 Best & Worst Places to Rent report, ranking more than 180 U.S. cities to help renters identify the nation’s top housing markets. The study places @scottsdaleazgov (No. 1), @gilbertyourtown (2), and @cityofchandler (3) at the top of the rankings, with @peoriaazcam (6), @cityofmesa (16), @glendaleaz (17), @cityofphoenixaz (19), and @tempegov (25) also earning spots among the nation’s 25 best cities for renters. #wallethub #houserental #eastvalleyaz #scottsdaleaz #metrophx
Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom! Happy Independence Day and Cheers to a great, safe weekend. #250 #4thofjuly #usa🇺🇸 #250yearsoffreedom #metrophx
Cyclic Materials opened its first commercial-scale rare earth magnet recycling facility in @cityofmesa, strengthening the domestic supply of rare earth elements and critical minerals. The company invested more than $30 million in the 144,000-square-foot facility, which will initially create more than 25 jobs. The plant can process up to 25,000 metric tons of end-of-life products containing magnets each year. Cyclic Materials will recover rare earth magnet concentrate through its Mag-Xtract™ process, along with critical materials such as copper, aluminum and steel. Federal, state and local leaders joined company executives to celebrate the facility’s grand opening. #cyclicmaterials #silicondesert #mesaaz #advancedmanufacturing #metrophx
Heritage Park (@heritageparkgilbert), a new mixed-use destination taking shape in (@downtowngilbertaz) Gilbert’s Heritage District, has announced its first five tenants. The lineup includes Arizona’s first Popup Bagels (@popupbagels), along with La La Land, Hudson House, Salt & Straw, and @solidcore. Construction continues across the development, with the first businesses expected to open in the second quarter of 2027. #gilbertaz #heritagedistrict #heritagepark #townofgilbert #metrophx
Scottsdale-based @barrett_jackson has launched Digital Select Auctions, a premium online marketplace for curated collector vehicles. The platform allows enthusiasts worldwide to bid during exclusive, timed digital auctions. Barrett-Jackson will oversee each transaction, including holding the money and vehicle title, to provide buyers and sellers with greater confidence. The company will also verify completed sales and apply its auction expertise to the process. The first Digital Select Auction will run Nov. 5-12 at Barrett-Jackson.com. #barrettjackson #autoauction #automobilia #scottsdaleaz #metrophx
The Metro Phoenix housing market continues to earn national recognition, with five Valley cities ranking among the country’s 50 best real estate markets, according to a new @wallethub analysis. The Best Real Estate Markets 2026 report determines the best local real estate markets in the U.S. WalletHub compared 300 cities of varying sizes across 17 key indicators of housing-market attractiveness and economic strength. The study places Gilbert at 13, followed by Surprise at 27, Peoria at 42, Tempe at 46 and Chandler at 50.
#metrophx #realestatemarket2026 #gilbertaz #surpriseaz #peoriaaz
Tempe-based Dutch Bros Coffee plans to acquire 51 former Salad and Go locations after the fast-casual chain filed for bankruptcy, with the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak contributing to its collapse. Court documents filed Tuesday in federal bankruptcy court identify a Dutch Bros-affiliated LLC as the buyer of dozens of Salad and Go restaurants in Arizona and Nevada, along with leases for additional former locations in Texas and Oklahoma. #saladandgo #dutchbros #dutchbroscoffee #tempeaz #drivethru
Salad and Go filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday and announced it will permanently close all of its locations, serving its final meals Wednesday. The Gilbert-founded drive-thru restaurant chain submitted voluntary bankruptcy petitions in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas in Houston.

The company said declining consumer demand, rapid expansion challenges, and rising operating costs made its business unsustainable. Salad and Go also said the Cyclospora foodborne illness outbreak in July hurt sales, even though health officials did not link the chain to the contamination. #saladandgo #gilbertaz #cyclospora #bankruptcy #chapter11
Metro Phoenix Alliance Member Directory Map