< Previous58 G R E A T E R P H O E N I X : T HE C O N N E C T E D P L AC Erom self-driving cars to aviation, aerospace and beyond, Chandler has made its mark on the map of innovation and technology. Technology giant, Intel, has had operations in Chandler since 1980. In February 2017, the company announced plans to invest more than $7 billion in its Fab 42 semiconductor factory — expected to be the most advanced in the world. Fab 42 will create more than 3,000 high-tech, high-wage jobs when construction wraps up in two to three years. In 2017, another tech leader, Waymo, launched its public trial by SAVA NN A H K I N GDriving TowardTHE FUTUREFC O M M U NI T Y P R O F I L ECity of ChandlerWaymo tests its fleet of self-driving cars in Chandler.Photo courtesy of WaymoG R E A T E R P H O E N I X : T HE C O N N E C T E D P L AC E 59program for its fleet of autonomous vehicles in the Greater Phoenix area and chose Chandler as the test program’s home base. The California-based company recently announced it is expanding and will grow its 39,000-sq.-ft. Chandler facility by an additional 29,000 sq. ft. The additional space will allow the company to house more vehicles and employees. Orbital ATK, which was acquired by Northrop Grumman last September, is also expanding its Chandler-based operations with a new 47-acre campus. The company expects to open the new 617,000-sq.-ft. building in fall 2019. “Chandler has developed a reputation as the ‘Innovation and Technology Hub of the Southwest’ because of the concentration of high-profile tech companies located in our city,” says Micah Miranda, economic development director for the city of Chandler. “Most recently, Chandler has rapidly become a hotbed for the autonomous vehicle industry, serving as a development site and proving ground for the latest automotive technologies. Several companies in Chandler are now operating in this space, including Waymo, Intel, NXP, General Motors, Maxim Integrated, Microchip Technology, Rogers Corporation, Garmin and others. These companies are staying on the cutting edge, which ensures that Chandler will continue to be a center for innovation.”So why Chandler?“It’s because of our business environment and proven history of business success,” says Miranda. “We are able to communicate how Chandler has the edge over other markets from a business climate, labor quality and operating cost perspective. Just as importantly, we are able to point to other well-known and highly respected businesses that are thriving in Chandler.”In fact, WalletHub ranked Chandler No. 1 in its 2018 Best Cities to Find a Job — three neighboring cities also earned top spots on the list with Scottsdale at No. 2, Peoria at No. 4 and Gilbert at No. 5. With Greater Phoenix’s more than 40 universities and institutions of higher education, Chandler’s large, educated and diverse workforce is a major asset for businesses that call the city home. “Chandler is located in the fastest growing county in the U.S. and employers have access to more than one million workers in a 30-minute commute,” he says. “Our residents are highly educated with 43 percent possessing a bachelor’s or advanced degree, and 76 percent having attended college. Leading employers in Chandler have a truly global footprint and culture that draws talent of all nationalities and backgrounds. Finally, companies have found they can depend on our workforce, which is why we continue to attract great projects.” Aerial views of ChandlerPhoto courtesy of city of Chandler60 G R E A T E R P H O E N I X : T HE C O N N E C T E D P L AC EPeoria is a community situated directly along the path of innovation and over the last three decades has become the ideal place to live and work. Beyond an easy commute and business-friendly climate, Peoria provides a quality of life that simply can’t be beat. More than 171,000 residents call the city home and can take advantage of the area’s ample outdoor recreational activities at the city’s two regionally recognized community parks and 33 neighborhood parks. Peoria is also the Spring Training home of the Seattle Mariners and the San Diego Padres. Rick Buss, economic development services director of the city of Peoria, spoke about the city on the path of innovation. Why should a business consider opening or expanding their operation your city?BUSS: Peoria is more than just a location; it is a vibrant and exciting community that welcomes companies to be a part of its future. The city’s Economic Development Services team members are dedicated to working with businesses to become a part of Peoria today and will continue to be valuable partners as they grow and expand. Companies will find a strong and experienced workforce across a variety of industries. More than 39 percent of Peoria residents have post-secondary education and are employed in occupational groups exceeding national levels in engineering, computer and mathematics, and information technology. Workers from outside of Peoria will enjoy an easy commute opposite of rush hour, enhancing the attractiveness of the site to potential employees. Strong schools, affordable and varied housing, and numerous lifestyle amenities make Peoria one of the leading communities for a full quality of life as well.C O M M U NI T Y P R O F I L ECity of Peoriaby SAVA NN A H K I N GPEORIA: Oasis of OpportunityRG R E A T E R P H O E N I X : T HE C O N N E C T E D P L AC E 61Tell us about a few of your latest economic development wins and why those projects ultimately landed in your neighborhood. BUSS: Huntington University opened its Digital Media Arts Campus in Peoria in 2016 but has really hit its stride in the last year as it has attracted more than 100 full-time students and hired additional faculty. Huntington University is a key supporter of Peoria’s efforts to attract digital media companies, including content creators, production companies, and software-focused companies. Peoria had an available facility and utilized a program to rehabilitate older structures in our P83 Entertainment District. Our approach was to be a great long-term partner and that was appealing to Huntington.Maricopa County Integrated Health System is building a new 120,000-sq.-ft. medical facility in central Peoria. When complete, the facility will address the health needs of the rapidly growing West Valley with a wide range of services. The 120,000-sq.-ft. center will be located on a 20-acre site at Grand Avenue and Cotton Crossing. When the West Valley Primary and Specialty Care Center opens in early 2020, approximately 320 staff will be dedicated to this site, treating an expected daily volume of about 255 patients and visitors. Peoria had an available site and we partnered closely with the landowner to present the site and valuable demographic information as to why that site worked best for reaching their patients and clients.Peoria has partnered with the Greater Phoenix Economic Council to attract investors over the past few years, including Huntington University, GEPACK USA, Maxwell Technologies, Aviage Systems, Apex Tactical and Novembal. These software and advanced manufacturing companies have found a strong and available workforce, available facilities, and an economic development partner that Lake Pleasant in PeoriaPhoto courtesy of city of PeoriaOasis of Opportunity62 G R E A T E R P H O E N I X : T HE C O N N E C T E D P L AC Econstantly works to engage with them and help their businesses grow and succeed.What do you most want site selectors and corporate decision makers to understand about your community?BUSS: Peoria is a global business location. We have attracted startup software companies, established manufacturers, and educational partners from around the world. This includes:• Aviage Systems — Aerospace software, a joint venture of GE Aerospace and AVIC (China)• Maxwell Technologies — Energy storage and power delivery solutions (China, Germany and Switzerland)• GEPACK — Plastics extrusion (Portugal)• Novembal — Plastics extrusion (part of Tetra Laval Group, Switzerland)These companies have found a strong, experienced and available workforce that has enabled them to be successful with their business location decision. The Peoria Economic Development Services team attracts businesses to be a part of our community, enjoy success and opportunity, and build their operations. City staff, our City Council and business community welcome the opportunity to demonstrate how we can make your clients successful and welcome in Peoria, Arizona. SurpriseG R E A T E R P H O E N I X : T HE C O N N E C T E D P L AC E 63hen your city grows from a population of 31,000 in 2000to more than 134,000 in 2018, it’s safe to say that growth has become the new norm.Welcome to Surprise, Arizona, where the economic development growth wave is just as fast-paced as the population surge.We caught up recently with City of Surprise Economic Development Director Jeanine Jerkovic. In the following interview, she discusses the reasons for Surprise’s rapid rise and the road ahead.What are the site selection factors that make Surprise an attractive place to do business?JERKOVIC: The city of Surprise is one of the fastest-growing, most family-friendly and safest communities in the nation. Businesses receive all the benefits of operating in a major metropolitan region while receiving a customized level of services only available in a smaller community. Whether we’re working with a large advanced manufacturer or a small tech startup, Surprise has a lot to offer. The city offers copious by R O N S TA R N E RWPO P U L A TI O N O N T H E R I S EC O M M U NI T Y P R O F I L ECity of SurpriseSurpriseSurprise Community ParkPhoto courtesy of city of Surprise64 G R E A T E R P H O E N I X : T HE C O N N E C T E D P L AC Eshovel-ready, rail-served land and building options in a Foreign Trade Zone, as well as temporary office space, if needed, in our business incubator, the AZ TechCelerator. Workforce is a key site selection factor, and with the recent arrival of the new educational amenities at Ottawa University and West-MEC, businesses can be assured that Surprise is a place where the workforce is dedicated to their needs. Surprise is also a highly connected community with access to major Northwest Greater Phoenix transportation corridors, such as the SR-Loop 303 and the US-60/Grand Avenue.What have been your city’s three biggest project wins of the past year?JERKOVIC: In March 2018, Trimaco broke ground on a 43-acre, rail-served parcel to build a 275,000-sq.-ft. building and hire 110 jobs to develop a headquarters and manufacturing location for its surface, personal and jobsite protection products. The new 70,000-sq.-ft. Destiny Springs Behavioral Health Hospital in Surprise is also under construction and will open for business this fall. Representing a 100-bed facility and a $25-million capital investment, Destiny Springs will create over 150 jobs and serve as a dedicated employer for healthcare professionals and support staff. MagQu LLC represents an innovative and international win for the community. This Taiwan-based company is bringing its early-Alzheimer’s diagnostic technology to the U.S. market, starting with a new lab and office based at the Surprise AZTechCelerator.What are your top economic development priorities for the year ahead?JERKOVIC: Surprise is a community focused on attracting high-quality jobs, improving quality of life and enhancing our retail profile. The Economic Development Department will support these focus areas by advancing four main initiatives: elevating the profile and capabilities of the Surprise Southwest Rail Plex; expanding our Canada-focused medical travel and tourism strategy; growing the service capabilities at the AZ TechCelerator; and promoting signature, destination retail development. What are your primary industry targets?JERKOVIC: The Surprise Economic Development Department has four primary industry targets, which include advanced manufacturing, innovation, medical travel/tourism and signature retail. The first letters of these primary industry targets spell the word “AIMS,” which is a tool to help the team effectively communicate its focus. What is your city’s best-kept secret?JERKOVIC: Our business incubator, the AZ TechCelerator. The economic development entrepreneurship education program was launched nine years ago as a creative reuse of space within the city’s former city hall campus. The first two companies to enter the AZ TechCelerator are considered to be among two of the most successful incubator exits in Arizona history: telemedicine company MD24 House Call graduated with 100 employees four years ago and is now headquartered in Surprise, and broadband technology company Athena Wireless became the first Arizona company to be acquired by Google in 2015. The AZ TechCelerator facility is now regularly used to help host companies with temporary office space when they are constructing new buildings in the community, allowing them to operate, hire and make strategic decisions even before their building is completed. This can be a tremendous time and cost savings benefit to new businesses in Surprise.State 48 BreweryPhoto courtesy of city of SurpriseG R E A T E R P H O E N I X : T HE C O N N E C T E D P L AC E 65What role does quality of life play in your pitch to prospective businesses?JERKOVIC: Surprise is the training home of the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers, residents and visitors alike often marvel at the all-American character presented by Surprise — as American as baseball itself: we’re safe, clean and family-friendly. The top quality of life in Surprise demonstrates to employers that their investment into our community is secure and can offer a lot to grow and retain their workforce. Our dedicated approach to signature retail attraction and local retail success in Surprise sends a message to employers that we are a vibrant community investing in our existing and future workforce growth. 66 G R E A T E R P H O E N I X : T HE C O N N E C T E D P L AC ETHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYwithTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYTHE BIG CITYot many people know that the city of Mesa has more people than the city of Atlanta, but that’s a fact. With a population of just over 480,000, Mesa tops Atlanta’s 464,000.Mesa grew by 6,500 people in just one year, and the city’s growth shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Ranked No. 36 nationwide, Mesa is the third-largest city in Arizona behind Phoenix and Tucson.WalletHub ranked Mesa the 15th-best Big City to Live In and the fourth-most Affordable Big City. Mesa was also ranked the eighth-safest city in the nation by SafeWise.In a recent interview, Bill Jabjiniak, economic development director for the city of Mesa, discussed the city’s business growth and plans for the future.What were some of Mesa’s biggest project wins of the past year?JABJINIAK: Arizona State University will be locating here in City Center. Firstly, it will be a 115,000-sq.-ft. educational facility on city-owned land, and it will be ready by fall of 2021. It will focus on virtual reality, 3-D design, etc. It will benefit both ASU and the city. Secondly, Piper Plastics, which provides high-performance polymer materials, will locate in our Falcon Field area. It will be a new plant with 130 employees. They will start building later this year. Thirdly, CyrusOne Data Center purchased 60 acres in our by R O N S TA R N E RNC O M M U NI T Y P R O F I L ECity of MesaBIGGER BIGGER BIGGER BIGGER BIGGER DREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSDREAMSBIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER BIGGER DREAMSBIGGER Boeing’s manufacturing plant in Mesa produces Apache attack helicopters.Photo courtesy of city of MesaG R E A T E R P H O E N I X : T HE C O N N E C T E D P L AC E 67tech corridor. They will build 198 megawatts of power in five buildings for cloud computing.Also, EdgeCore Internet Real Estate started 1.25-million-sq.-ft. data center — a $2-billion investment in our community. This is one of the largest data centers in Arizona. We created the Technology Corridor in southeast Mesa to attract these kinds of companies. We have a lot of power and water and infrastructure. This is a very conducive environment, and Salt River Project is the electric utility.In May, we announced a 1.35-million-sq.-ft., class A office project in northwest Mesa known as The Union at Riverview, located next to the Chicago Cubs spring training facility. Also in May, Eclipse Automation of Canada — a maker of custom manufacturing equipment — opened its new plant in Mesa, hiring 50 automation engineers and technicians. How is the Smart Region initiative impacting Mesa?JABJINIAK: Over the years, Mesa has been out in front trying to use technology to solve our challenges. An example is the Anonymous Reidentification Sensor Program. It uses bluetooth devices to identify travel and congestion information. We partnered with Tempe and Gilbert to develop a regional system to share this data across the agencies to benefit the traveling public across multiple jurisdictions. A sensor mounted at an intersection gauges traffic delays and breakdowns. It sends info back to all the cities and the county and the state system as well. It allows people to reroute around things quickly. We cooperate between communities. We work well together on economic development projects too. This enables us to look at our signal timing too. It has a big public benefit. We have been proactive with installing 380 miles of fiber conduit to help with the flow of information. We just installed a gigabit broadband system in our downtown. It will attract the business community. We are using smart technology to irrigate our fields in our park system as well. How did Mesa become a hub for blockchain technology?JABJINIAK: It is growing here. Mesa Community College is one of the first in the country to offer a blockchain technology program. We are in our infancy of this. The Arizona Legislature passed legislation making it easier to accept electronic signatures on contracts. And BlockForge — the largest supplier of cryptocurrency mining hardware — opened a 2,000-sq.-ft. retail location in Mesa. They sell bitcoin mining hardware; they offer classes there too. “We have been proactive with installing 380 miles of fiber conduit to help with the flow of information. We just installed a gigabit broadband system in our downtown.” — Bill Jabjiniak, Director of Economic Development, city of MesaNext >