Western

CHANDLER, ARIZ. — Tech giant Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) has signed a definitive agreement with the infrastructure affiliate of Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE: BAM), a global alternative asset management firm, to fund the expansion of its Ocotillo semiconductor manufacturing campus in Chandler. Under terms of the agreement, the companies will jointly invest up to $30 billion in the buildout, with Intel providing 51 percent and Brookfield Infrastructure Partners providing 49 percent of the total project costs. Dubbed the “Semiconductor Co-Investment Program,” the partnership will create two new production facilities on the 700-acre campus, which Intel established in 1980. Santa Clara, Calif-based Intel will retain majority ownership and operating control of the two new chip factories. No construction details or timeline were disclosed. Semiconductors, or chips, are an essential element of most all electronic and computing devices, including electric vehicles, phones, tablets, TVs, home appliances, solar panels and gaming consoles. “Semiconductor manufacturing is among the most capital-intensive industries in the world,” says David Zinsner, Intel’s chief financial officer. “Our agreement with Brookfield is a first for our industry, and we expect it will allow us to increase flexibility while maintaining capacity on our balance sheet to create a more distributed and …