Arizona’s third-largest population, Pinal County has experienced a manufacturing renaissance in recent years. Located between her two largest cities in the state, the municipality of Pinal County has become a prime target for businesses, particularly manufacturers, seeking to locate in Grand Canyon State.
“Pinal County is the fastest growing region for jobs and people in the state,” explains Sandra Watson, president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA). “From July 2020 to July 2021, Pinal County added just under 20,000 residents, a growth of almost 5%. adding 3,500 new jobs currently in the county, and 100 businesses contributing more than $8.5 billion to the county’s economy.”
This rapidly growing county is becoming an increasingly important part of Arizona’s diversifying economy as the state continues to welcome more people and businesses.
read also: Could Pinal County Become the Detroit of Electric Vehicles?
Pinal County Manufacturing
For Eloy Mayor Micah Powell, the reopening of Owens Corning’s insulation manufacturing facility in Eloy is like a homecoming. The 42,500-square-foot facility closed over a decade ago during the Great Recession, leaving the building vacant for many years.
“Owens Corning has been serving the community for many years. I worked there when I was younger,” he says. “When they closed, they took away a huge part of our employment factor, so I’m really excited they’re going to [reopen]50 to 60 jobs, but high paying jobs. ”
In addition to the city’s job creators, Vext Science, a Canadian medical marijuana company, has purchased a 72,000-square-foot facility for its grow operations. Additionally, his 2022 economic development brochure for the city of Eloy states that National Gypsum will build his 500,000-square-foot wallboard manufacturing plant, which is expected to open in mid-2023. The September 27, 2021 Eloy City Council Minutes approved a development agreement with Gold Bond Building Products, LLC (an affiliate of National Gypsum) to build a wallboard facility within Sunshine Industrial Park. is showing.
But Eloy wasn’t the only city in Pinal County that caught the attention of manufacturers. On February 17, 2022, the ACA will press release Kohler, the kitchen and bath brand, says it is building a manufacturing facility, attached warehouse and office space on 216 acres of Casa Grande. The one million square foot facility will bring 400 jobs to the city with potential for future expansion.
Richard Wilkie, the city’s economic development director for Casagrande, added that Kohler’s decision came after lengthy research. According to Wilkie, one of the benefits of being located at Casa Grande is the price of the property. He said the land is significantly more affordable than Metro Phoenix and is zoned appropriately for Kohler’s needs.
Powell agrees that the availability of real estate is of great benefit to Pinal County’s economic development and manufacturing.
“We are happy to bring someone in and look at what is best for all parties. Yes, but we have enough land, we’ve been zoned, and we’ve redone the whole plan.
infrastructure factor
The availability and affordability of land in Pinal County is an advantage for these communities, but it is not the only reason businesses choose to locate between two of Arizona’s largest population centers.
“Connectivity to Interstate 8, Interstate 10, and mainline to Union Pacific Railroad was another attraction for the company. [Kohler]’ Wilkie points out. “They can get their products to market by rail or truck and we are less than an hour from his three major airports. is an important factor for considering
The region has also benefited greatly from Governor Ducey’s recent policies. announcement The state will make an upfront investment of $400 million to expand Interstate 10. The total cost is estimated at less than $1 billion, of which $700 million comes from state funding.
The expansion of Interstate 10 will not only make travel safer and faster, it will also make the job opportunities in Pinal County more attractive to East Valley residents.
“Employees are always important to any company,” explains Wilkie. “Casa Grande is about 30 minutes away and runs against traffic, giving you direct access to the same highly educated and talented workforce as the Metro Valley community, without getting stuck in rush hour traffic.” It’s windshield time above all.”
As more businesses choose to locate in Pinal County, they Proof of concept for other organizations i am trying to do the same.
“These companies are successful because they are smart and careful,” concludes Wilkie. “When you have a very solid company here like Kohler, Frito Lay, Abbott Nutrition, Lucid, people start thinking, ‘Maybe I should check out Casa Grande.’ It’s like the old telephone tree. speaks to two people, they speak to two people, and the word continues to spread.”
