BizTucson Fall 2024 Sahuarita

SPECIAL REPORT 2024

THE REGION’S BUSINESS MAGAZINE

TOWN OF SAHUARITA 30 YEARS OF GROWTH

www.BizTucson.com

Fall 2024 > > > BizTucson 113

114 BizTucson < < < Fall 2024

www.BizTucson.com

www.BizTucson.com

Fall 2024 > > > BizTucson 115

116 BizTucson < < < Fall 2024

www.BizTucson.com

BizMILESTONE

Town of Sahuarita 30 Years of Progress

By Christy Krueger growth, including that “the founding fathers had The Town of Sahuarita, set in the scenic desthe wish to incorporate to have the local governert vistas of Southern Arizona, has come a long ment be the decision-makers.” way in the 30 short years since incorporating in It began with the vision of Bob Sharpe, who 1994, in large part due to the insightful planning by its early leaders. developed Rancho SahuarThey laid out a vision ita, its largest housing comthat prioritized community, munity that now encomfamily and culture–all facpasses more than 18,000 tors that have helped this residents and 6,000 homes. bedroom community blosThe community includes som into what it is today– access to a variety of parks, a well-governed, inclusive trails and is near schools town with top education, a and commercial developquality lifestyle and a solid ment. Rancho Sahuarita’s base for corporate and ninth residential phase has business growth. started and will include apAnchored by the masproximately 2,000 homes. terfully planned, family“Part of Bob Sharpe’s vicentric Rancho Sahuasion was for a community rita housing community, with retail and commercial,” said Murphy. Sharpe a thriving marketplace, a beautiful man-made lake, donated over 100 acres of – A.C. Marriotti and a growing Town Cenproperty for schools, and he Director of Fnance & Technology ter, Sahuarita is a place its donated the land where the Town of Sahuarita thousands of residents are town hall was built. proud to call home.

Sahuarita’s rapid inArmed with a new, comprehensive master crease has indeed been driven by this robust plan and numerous amenity ambitions laid out residential sector, along with plentiful recreation, in an upcoming bond election, the Town of Sagood schools, parks and safety programs. The huarita is poised for the next level. town is also known for its cultural and signature events.

A Legacy of Local Leadership “We have signature events like Fiesta Sahua“We went from 1,800 residents to 38,000 torita, July 4th, Spooktacular at Halloween and day,” said Sahuarita Mayor Tom Murphy, who continued on page 118 >>> credits several factors for the town’s exponential

“

We create an environment where a business can get started as quickly as possible.

It’s easier, faster and cheaper.

”

www.BizTucson.com

Fall 2024 > > > BizTucson 117

BizMILESTONE continued from page 117 Winterfest,” Murphy said. “There’s also Music at the Lake and sporting events.

There are 15,000-20,000 people attending the big events.”

Added Town Manager Shane Dille, “when the goal is to create a well-balanced community, these opportunities need to be available for the residents, for their quality of life and health.”

An Eye for More Business, Annexation A.C. Marriotti, the town’s director of finance and technology, said the nonresidential sector of Sahuarita’s economy is starting to catch up, with approximately 40% of the town’s total revenues now coming from businesses. Medical facilities have also flourished, with Northwest Medical Center, a Banner clinic and United Community Health Centers in and near Sahuarita.

Marriotti characterizes Sahuarita as business-friendly. “We don’t have impact fees or a business license charge,” he said. “We create an environment

118 BizTucson < < < Fall 2024

where a business can get started as quickly as possible. It’s easier, faster and cheaper.”

And residents are eager for even more. “Residents want Trader Joe’s, every sit-down restaurant, goods and services close to them,” Murphy added.

Marriotti sees more commercial growth ahead as the town is able to add infrastructure and annexations. “We just got a $3 million federal road grant and we worked with a Pima County supervisor,” he said. “We hope to develop vacant land. The town doesn’t own a lot of land, but we help facilitate growth by working with developers.”

The town’s current goal is to annex land east of town with the help of the State Land Department. “Our growth opportunity is to the east with state land parcels. We’d like to annex it into our town and bring infrastructure.” Murphy said.

Another annexation in the works is for the Phoenix Zoo, which plans to build a research facility and safari park here. “We’re getting prepared for it on

the northeast side of town,” Marriotti said. “Some land is not in town boundaries, so we’ll annex some land. It’s a small annexation, but it’s important.”

Looking Ahead Now that Sahuarita has reached a milestone anniversary, its leaders are planning for the next phase.

In November, residents will vote on Proposition 403, a $66 million bond program that, if passed, will fund infrastructure and recreational projects such as a recreation center, trails and town hall remodeling.

The town plans to contribute $10 million for a total of $76 million to be spread out over the various projects during an eight-year period.

While the Town of Sahuarita has a number of factors that make it an attractive place to live and work, it really comes down to the devoted residents.

“There’s good participation, the community is very involved, and they’re engaged because they care,” said Marriotti.

Biz

www.BizTucson.com

Biz www.BizTucson.com

Fall 2024 > > > BizTucson 119

From left –

John Noland

Police Chief Town of Sahuarita

Chuck Wunder Fire Chief Town of Sahuarita

120 BizTucson < < < Fall 2024

www.BizTucson.com

BizMILESTONE

Safe Bet

Sahuarita is One of Arizona’s Safest Towns

PHOTO: BRENT G. MATHIS

By Christy Krueger As the Town of Sahuarita continues to increase in size and population, so has its support systems including the police and fire departments.

Sahuarita’s leaders believe that if the town is going to continue attracting residents and businesses, it must live up to its slogan - “Making Sahuarita a safe place to live, work and play.”

John Noland was hired as Sahuarita’s chief of police 10 years ago after serving with the Santa Rosa Police Department in California for 30 years, and he’s substantially grown the Sahuarita department. “When I came here, we had 44 sworn officers and seven civilian staff members. We currently have 61 sworn officers and 18 civilian staff members,” he said.

To make room for this growth, the department is about to embark on an expansion of its facility at Sahuarita Town Center. “We’ve outgrown the police station, and the town recognized that. The police department will double in physical size to accommodate expansion needs for 10-15 years. It will help with retention of staff,” Noland said.

Some of his primary goals going forward include recruitment, retention and succession of officers. He said the nation’s political environment in recent years has made it more difficult to hire and keep officers.

As a result, Noland has embarked on a promotional campaign. “We go to recruiting events, military bases, schools and we use social media and our messaging signs that we move around town.”

While attracting people to the field of law enforcement may be tougher these days, attracting residents to Sahuarita is not. Along with the relatively low cost of housing, plentiful amenities and family-friendly events, the town is also a very safe place to live. Safewise chose Sahuarita as the third safest town in Arizona for 2024.

“I’ll take that ranking anytime,” said Noland, “but crime happens even in safe cities. My job is to make it as safe as possible.”

Other safety programs provided by the police department include school resource officers who offer law enforcement services, security, and classes on responsibility; a traffic bureau with officers assigned to special traffic enforcement; and the addition of a criminal investigation bureau.

Significant to Sahuarita’s continued ability to attract residents has been the recent availability of medical facilities. This includes Banner Multispecialty Clinic; United Community Health Center, with multiple locations near Sahuarita; and Northwest Medical Center, a hospital facility affiliated with the Tucson hospital by the same name. “Northwest has been significant for us,” Noland said. “It’s a huge success for the town.”

Working closely with the police department to help make Sahuarita a safe community is the fire department, which recently had a name change.

“Since 1975, it’s been Green Valley Fire District,” noted Fire Chief Chuck Wunder, who’s been with the department since 1995 and is starting his 11th year as chief. “We’ve seen a lot of growth and our board of directors decided to change the name to reflect the area we cover. The name was changed to Santa Rita Fire District.”

The district currently includes five stations – three in Green Valley and two in Sahuarita, handling an estimated 15,000 calls per year. And Wunder expects to add more in the future. “We’re poised for growth.

We’ll look at growth in Quail Creek and areas to the east as infrastructure grows. To meet response time, we need to grow and we need to support that growth.”

Santa Rita Fire District also has a special operation for wildlands firefighting.

Wunder strives to involve the area’s citizens as much as possible. “We have a volunteer-run program called Fire Corp Program with more than 80 participants.

These are community volunteers who handle nonemergency calls, such as our smoke alarm and battery changing service. We work to get involved in the school district. Right now, we’re having Camp Nitro where we host summer camps to introduce high schoolers to the public arena for recruiting and to get the message out about public work as a career.”

Santa Rita Fire District hosts at least 30 public outreach events each month. “We do HOA presentations, CPR training to the public and healthcare providers, swift-water rescues in the summer and pool safety,” Wunder said. “We’re super excited about our growth – the future is bright. We want to make sure the public knows about our services.”

Biz

Fall 2024 > > > BizTucson 121

PowerPhotonic

ASARCO

Sahuarita Advanced Manufacturing & Technology Center

Hydronalix

122 BizTucson < < < Fall 2024

La Posada

www.BizTucson.com

BizMILESTONE

Grow and Prosper Town of Sahuarita Looks Forward to the Future

By Tara Kirkpatrick

Northwest Medical Center-Sahuarita

With thoughtful leadership and managed growth, Sahuarita has the potential to become one of the premier suburban destinations in the United States.

That’s the consensus behind the town’s new master plan, developed with Austin-based consultant firm TIP Strategies, which outlines a comprehensive roadmap for building on Sahuarita’s threedecade success and aiming for the results of nationally prominent suburbs such as Scottsdale, Ariz., Round Rock, Tex. and Alpharetta, Ga. “We believe that Sahuarita has the potential to be much more than a bedroom community,” said TIP project lead Luke Shuffield.

“Whether it’s the existing and new industries that can be really innovative, whether it’s collaboration with the Tucson area, certainly the University of Arizona, foreign direct investment coming from the border of Mexico, there’s a lot to be excited about.”

Shuffield and his team visited Sahuarita several times throughout 2023 and worked not only with town officials and a welcoming economic development team led by Victor Gonzalez, but also spoke with numerous regional stakeholders in compiling the plan adopted in February. It focuses on three pillars – People, Prosperity and Place.

“We wanted a blueprint to help how we go about strategically identifying and/or pursuing opportunities,” said Gonzalez, Sahuarita’s economic development and public affairs director.

People Incorporated in 1994, Sahuarita has grown to a population of more than 35,000, no doubt led by people who flocked to its stunning desert vistas, safe and inclusive neighborhoods, excellent schools and vibrant quality of life. Looking forward, even with just baseline growth, the population’s on track to more than double in the next 20 years. Indeed, it’s already one of America’s fastest growing towns. continued on page 124 >>>

www.BizTucson.com

Fall 2024 > > > BizTucson 123

BizMILESTONE continued from page 123

Moving forward, a dynamic and skilled workforce is key.

“We are thinking of the next generation,” said Alex Magallanes, an economic development specialist for Sahuarita.

“It’s a good way to get started–how to create pathways so we can attract the younger generation.”

The plan urges vigorous collaboration with UA, Tech Launch Arizona and Pima Community College. Gonzalez’ team is exploring apprenticeship programs with local industries, including mining, photonics, water management and more.

Also beneficial is bolstering civic leadership. “We have 33% of our population as young families,” Magallanes said. “We want to bring resources to help them connect with their peers.”

Town economic leadership is focused on strengthening from within, aiding those who already run homebased businesses. Magallanes touted the town’s free development program, Grow IN Sahuarita, to help local entrepreneurs take their businesses from

124 BizTucson < < < Fall 2024

“

We want to grow and I’m excited about the opportunities to complement the residential growth, developing employment and industry.

– Victor Gonzalez Economic Development & Public Affairs Director Town of Sahuarita

”

home to potentially brick and mortar.

Currently, 74 participants are enrolled, with an immediate eye for 120.

“We focus a lot of our energy on the entrepreneur in Sahuarita,” Magallanes said. “Our school of thought is growing our own businesses into what could be major employers.”

Prosperity Sahuarita already benefits from industries such as mining, with large operations by ASARCO, Freeport McMoRan, Caterpillar and UA’s San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory nearby. Healthcare continues to grow with Northwest Medical Center-Sahuarita and the nationally recognized La Posada retirement community in Green Valley.

The new Sahuarita Advanced Manufacturing & Technology Center has also been a game-changer, housing PowerPhotonic, a leading international optics manufacturer based out of Scotland; ATAG, a 3D printing company; and Global Water Resources, a water recontinued on page 126 >>>

www.BizTucson.com

Congratulations to the Town of Sahuarita on their 30th Anniversary

CopperWorldAZ.com www.BizTucson.com

The Copper We Need Mined & Made in Arizona Fall 2024 > > > BizTucson 125

BizMILESTONE continued from page 124

source management company. Other Sahuarita-based companies, such as the maritime tech company Hydronalix, have found the town to be a secret weapon for growth.

But more is needed.

“It’s really about growing and diversifying our industry sectors here in Sahuarita,” said Gonzalez. “How do we continue to support existing industries and identify opportunities for additional technology and innovation.”

The town is advantageously positioned not only within 15 minutes of Downtown Tucson, but 35 miles from the U.S. Mexico border, so international business could bring numerous opportunities. Additionally, its proximity to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and the region’s top employer, Raytheon, brings vast potential for expansion in aerospace.

The master plan also envisions the recruitment of additional machine shops, 3D printing operations, packaging and hardware suppliers that support existing industries.

126 BizTucson < < < Fall 2024

Place Surrounded by Southern Arizona’s desert meadows and majestic mountain passes, Sahuarita is renowned for its safe, family-friendly communities and responsive government. The town is home to a beautiful lake and five-acre park with walking paths and public fishing, in addition to numerous recreation spaces. It’s also adjacent to the world’s largest irrigated pecan orchard.

“One of the first things people notice is that it’s a beautiful community,” Gonzalez said. “We have beautiful landscaping, the Santa Cruz River runs right through.”

The potential for growing this stunning place is rife with opportunity.

Planning for the future should include more hotel rooms, according to the master plan. In fact, a goal to reach 500 new hotel rooms by 2034 is “ambitious yet achievable.” Also, more restaurants are not only urged in the plan, but also desired by existing Sahuarita residents, according to its 2022 Citizen’s Survey.

Key among these could be craft breweries, live music venues, coffee shops and

other businesses to attract young professionals.

“Our economic development team has been connecting with various restaurant and operators and doing our best sales pitch,” Gonzalez said. “We are highlighting the existing growth, the purchasing power, and our household incomes.”

Also exciting is the desire to create a bustling Town Center in Sahuarita, which will offer a central gathering place and additional spaces for recreation.

“We are very much still a blank slate,” Gonzalez said. “We want to grow and I’m excited about the opportunities to complement the residential growth, developing employment and industry.”

For Shuffield, helping to craft the town’s master plan has been one of his favorite projects to date. “The entire leadership of Sahuarita is ready for this kind of direction.”

Biz

www.BizTucson.com

www.BizTucson.com

Fall 2024 > > > BizTucson 127

128 BizTucson < < < Fall 2024

www.BizTucson.com

BizMILESTONE

www.BizTucson.com

Fall 2024 > > > BizTucson 129

www.BizTucson.com

Fall 2024 > > > BizTucson 131

Mark McElhinney CEO PowerPhotonic

132 BizTucson < < < Fall 2024

www.BizTucson.com

BizMILESTONE

PowerPhotonic Finds U.S. Home in Sahuarita

By Christy Krueger For McElhinney and PowerPhotonic employees, it was When an international optics company was looking a great fit – they were still in Southern Arizona and close for a location to set up its U.S. facility, Sahuarita was the to defense clients. “It was 14,000 square feet and easily perfect choice. configurable. We worked with a local architecture comPowerPhotonic started in Edinburgh, Scotland 20 pany who helped us design and we built the clean room. years ago making precision lenses and other optical elIt was operating by March 2023. We told the architect ements for high power lasers, said Mark McElhinney, CEO of the company’s U.S. facility in Sahuarita. we wanted a European feel; inside there’s aluminum and “We start with a flat piece of glass and use a laser to glass, bright colors, a modern feel. Everything is clean shape the glass for optical functions needed in highand bright. It feels like the U.K. facility,” he said. powered laser applications like shooting down drones As far as the town itself and the people, McElhinand missiles,” he said. “The U.K. facility mostly deals ney has all positives to say. “The town is very supportwith commercial applications such ive. Mayor Murphy helped us set as laser cutting and welding for apup and made us feel welcome. Saplications like automotive manuhuarita wanted to bring high-tech facture. One of the biggest uses for companies to the town to broaden PowerPhotonic parts is in retinal the local employment base. It was imaging systems. The retinal imaga great fit for both of us. Engageing systems in an eye doctor’s office ment with the town helped us decontain optics that are likely made velop a feeling of place. We wanted by us.” a sense of belonging, we wanted to The U.S. operation in Sahuarita, engage with the community. That however, mostly handles defense was a great advantage of locating applications. “We support U.S. dein Sahuarita. We could develop a fense and big government labs,” company culture that felt welcomMcElhinney said. Customers ining and friendly.” clude Raytheon and other defense PowerPhotonic has 10 employcompanies in California, Colorado ees, some of whom live in Sahuaand Texas. “We’re in the center of rita, he noted. “That’s important our customers and there is a skill to have them live here locally in – Mark McElhinney base here we can use.”

Sahuarita.”

CEO McElhinney previously worked In order to connect with other PowerPhotonic in Tucson for Leonardo Electronlike businesses in the region, Powics, a manufacturer of laser components and a customer erPhotonic belongs to Optics Valley. Optics Valley refers of PowerPhotonic U.K., so he was already familiar with to the Southern Arizona optical cluster that is home to a the Scottish company and was hired to open and operate high concentration of optics companies, many originata Tucson subsidiary. Tucson was initially selected to be ing at UA. It is also a trade association for members. the company’s U.S. location because of its proximity to McElhinney believes the business climate of Sahuaridefense clients. ta is forward-thinking. “Sahuarita is trying to encourage “When we started our search in 2022, there weren’t other companies like us to come here. We expect more a lot of places the right size,” McElhinney said. “We technology companies to come to Sahuarita.” were looking for a space of 15,000 square feet and there He feels the town is very engaged with growing the wasn’t much in Tucson of that size. We widened our community while also being welcoming, supportive and search and our realtor suggested a new facility in Sahuaenthusiastic. “I can’t stress how supportive they’ve been.” rita, established to attract high technology companies And the mayor is right up there. During construction – SAMTEC (Sahuarita Advanced Manufacturing and inside PowerPhotonic’s space, McElhinney didn’t have Technology Center).” a place to sit down and work. “So the mayor offered me his office,” he recounted.

Biz

“

One thing we looked for was a feeling of place.

We wanted a sense of community, we wanted to engage with the community.

PHOTO: BRENT G. MATHIS

”

Fall 2024 > > > BizTucson 133

Julia Johnson Founder Julia Johnson Fitness

134 BizTucson < < < Fall 2024

www.BizTucson.com

BizMILESTONE

Julia Johnson Fitness Thrives in Sahuarita

By Tara Kirkpatrick Her Sahuarita boot camps are just the beginning.

Julia Johnson Fitness is just one example of entrepreJohnson holds a “Ladies Night” once a month where neurial success in Sahuarita. participants paint or go to movies, etc. and then the Johnson’s tri-weekly, early-morning boot camps, held group also plans a hike or a run outside of class. “I outdoors in a town park no matter the weather, have open this up to anybody that wants to come and be a become a community staple, as are the group training part of it,” she said. “I’ve built a good business and it’s sessions in her garage. not about me, but it’s really about “I started this about five years the people that are in it and the ago in our community,” said Johnfriendships made.” son. “I’ve had people that have Her garage training sessions are been with me for all five years. It’s a by-product of her boot camps. really something special because “It’s been about two years now, you’ll get people that don’t know and I’m so thankful that I started any neighbors or don’t know each it. When you see other people that other, and they come to the group, are pushing themselves....it makes and before you know it, they have you want to go harder. It just really these friendships.” makes such a difference” Johnson, a mother of three Johnson is one of the particiwhose husband serves in the U.S. military, chose Sahuarita to live pants in Grow IN Sahuarita, a free local program that helps local and felt it was a place where she entrepreneurs progress their busicould build her fitness business. nesses. She meets with economic “I needed the community feel development specialist Alex Mabecause I knew that I wanted to gallanes consistently to develop a start my boot camp here. I needed plan for growth. something that felt a little more “We’ve only worked together for personal.” a very short amount of time...but I Fitness has been an accidenwill tell you, in those two or three tal, yet fulfilling career path for – Julia Johnson months, I really learned so much Johnson. As a military wife and young mom, she attended classes from him. How cool that our town Founder in other cities to meet people, and is so invested in businesses.”

Julia Johnson Fitness stood out for her natural ability. “I Magallanes and Johnson have had people come up to me and ask if I was an instruccreated a 90-day plan and he essentially acts as her actor,” she recalled. “All these little seeds were planted. I countability coach. “Every month I am getting five new realized, I love this. I was already going to school for clients and it’s just doing small things,” she said. “I’m something else, but once I switched it, it was like I came not even investing money. It’s more about being smart alive.” She would go on to earn her bachelor’s degree with my time. Having him as my accountability partin corporate fitness. ner, I’m so grateful for it.”

“

PHOTO: BRENT G. MATHIS

I needed the community feel because I knew that I wanted to start my boot camp here. I needed something that felt a little more personal.

”

Biz

Fall 2024 > > > BizTucson 135

BizMILESTONE

A Home for Hydronalix

Maritime Company Finds Success in Sahuarita

By Tara Kirkpatrick Hydronalix, a high-tech company whose robotic water and air rescue systems are used all over the world, has found Sahuarita to be the perfect town for its headquarters.

Even, perhaps, its secret weapon.

“When you think about a maritime company, it’s usually in a seaport town,” said Tony Mulligan, founder and CEO of Hydronalix. “For the first number of years, we didn’t want others in the industry to know what we were doing. It gave us a chance to grow and develop our technology.

“We also had another idea that if we trained and educated people who live in Sahuarita how to do this work, our retention would be higher because they want to live here.” Mulligan said. “We were looking for the long haul, people that would want to spend their entire careers with us.”

136 BizTucson < < < Fall 2024

He has done just that. Founded in 2009, Hydronalix is a leader in extreme performance, small unmanned vehicles for water and air. A mechanical engineer, Mulligan leads a team of 47 people who pride themselves on design and development, test and evaluation, production, marketing and customer training and service. The company has produced more than 2000 systems to date.

His team comprises not only scientists and engineers, but also retired fire chief personnel and former military.

“We train a lot of firemen and policemen and first responders from all over the world here.” Mulligan said.

Hydronalix tests and trains its products locally, on Sahuarita Lake and nearby Patagonia Lake, but also globally. Its team takes part in U.S. Marine Corps training exercises across Europe.

The company also will soon open an of-

fice at the NATO training facility on the island of Crete. “We send people from Sahuarita there,” he said. “We have 10 people in Sweden right now. We also have boats in 53 countries and about 900 locations that we work with.”

Sahuarita offers Hydronalix the trusted vendors, suppliers and other infrastructure of nearby Tucson, with a dedicated local workforce. Traveling all over the country only confirms Mulligan’s appreciation of the town for his company.

“The key to production isn’t that you’re on the water, but it’s that people do very high-efficiency, high-quality work, and so we get people here that are very dedicated and very passionate,” Mulligan said. “We feel very strongly that this is a very well-organized, planned out and well-run community.”

Biz www.BizTucson.com

www.BizTucson.com

Fall 2024 > > > BizTucson 137

BizMILESTONE

Farmer’s Investment Co. Invested in Sahuarita’s Success

By Tara Kirkpatrick On the storied Southern Arizona land that encircles Sahuarita, R. Keith Walden became one of the largest pecan producers in the world.

Today, the company he started, Farmers Investment Co., is one of Sahuarita’s biggest supporters, if not its most fruitful partner.

From donating significant acreage for housing, a high school and a church in the town to hosting annual running events and providing scholarships, the Walden family and FICO are invested in Sahuarita’s success.

“The Waldens have stayed true to their Sahuarita roots by giving back and celebrating the community that has helped them flourish,” FICO’s website proclaims.

In 1914, Bernard Baruch, Joseph Kennedy and J.P. Morgan chose the Santa Cruz Valley here to grow guayule, a source of rubber, because of a feared shortage during World War I. When the project was canceled after the war’s end, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands purchased the land and invested in a cotton-growing operation.

A California farmer, Walden started Farmers Investment Company and was looking for opportunities outside the state. In 1949, he would buy the land after the queen’s death and continue 138 BizTucson < < < Fall 2024

to grow cotton, expanding with an additional land purchase in 1958 and making Sahuarita his company’s official headquarters.

Yet, in 1965, fearing a drop in cotton demand because of the advent of new synthetic fibers and other market factors, Walden experimented with different crops and ultimately switched his crop to pecans. It was a prosperous decision. By 1969, FICO had more than 6,000 acres of planted pecan trees. Today, it yields an average of 2,200 pounds per acre of pecans.

Over the years, the Walden family, which continues to run FICO, has donated hundreds of acres for many community related needs. For example, when the town’s lone high school exceeded capacity in the early 2000s, the Waldens donated the land to build a second one–the now-thriving Walden Grove High School.

“Not only did the Waldens donate land for the high school, but they worked with us on several other issues,” Jay St. John, retired superintendent of Sahuarita Unified School District, wrote in a 2015 editorial for Green Valley News.

“We had to put in a septic system, with which the Waldens also helped. We had to build a safe road to access the school, which the Waldens allowed us to do

across their land. The Waldens even helped us get drinking water to the campus and to Sahuarita Park.”

For a decade, FICO also ran the Sahuarita Pecan Festival, which became a pivotal family-friendly event and raised more than $120,000 for the community before it came to an end in 2019.

Since 2008, FICO’s annual running events also have made a significant impact on the Sahuarita community. These events have raised close to $20,000 in total donations, benefitting a variety of local organizations, including The Continental School Foundation, The Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber Foundation, the Sahuaro City Music Theater, and the Green Valley Firefighters Charities.

Last year, FICO gave out scholarships to four high school students through the Sahuarita-Green Valley Chamber Foundation.

“We firmly believe in the positive impact of fostering these activities, which align with our core objectives of promoting physical and mental well-being, providing vital support to local organizations, fostering a stronger sense of community, and sharing our journey and stories with our neighbors,” said Paula Beemer, FICO’s events director.

Biz www.BizTucson.com

www.BizTucson.com

Fall 2024 > > > BizTucson 139

140 BizTucson < < < Fall 2024

www.BizTucson.com