Pinal County Economic Development Profile

THE ARIZONA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL HAS BEEN HOSTED IN PINAL COUNTY EACH SPRING SINCE 1989.

CASA GRANDE WAS THE SPRING TRAINING HOME OF THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 SEASONS.

COUNTRY THUNDER ARIZONA BRINGS 90,000+ CONCERT GOERS TO FLORENCE EVERY YEAR.

BIOSPHERE 2, LOCATED IN ORACLE, IS THE WORLD’S LARGEST CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT DEDICATED TO CLIMATE RESEARCH.

THE CASA GRANDE RUINS IN COOLIDGE IS A NATIONAL MONUMENT, PRESERVING HOHOKAM STRUCTURES FROM THE 14TH CENTURY.

MARICOPA, ONE OF THE STOPS ON THE FIRST TRANSCONTINENTAL FLIGHT ACROSS THE US IN 1911, WAS ONCE HOME TO JOHN WAYNE, WHO OWNED OVER 4,000 ACRES THERE.

A LETTER FROM PINAL COUNTY MANAGER Pinal County is transforming from a regional

Other companies that have announced projects in the County

economy that was once primarily based

are in the semiconductor supply chain, building materials and

on agriculture and mining to one that is

consumer goods industries, with Kohler opening a plant in late

dynamic and diversified. In fact, in recent

2023 and Procter & Gamble expected to break ground on a $500

years the County has seen development

million manufacturing plant in early 2024.

and announced projects, primarily in manufacturing, that will create over 13,500 jobs and will result

The County has invested in its citizens through innovative

in investment of over $10 billion.

workforce development programs and partnerships with the state, our communities and Central Arizona College. A direct result of

The County’s strategic location at the crossroads of major

this is Drive 48 a facility that has been used for training thousands

highways and the Union Pacific Railroad and between several of

of workers for Lucid. These efforts help ensure that our current

the world’s largest economies – including California, Texas and

and future employers have the workforce that they need, and that

Mexico – ensures great access to key markets and supply chains.

our citizens are ready for the jobs of the future.

We are bolstered by plentiful, affordable land and business-

We are located between two of the premier public universities in

friendly communities that continue to invest in key public

the nation - Arizona State University and the University of Arizona

infrastructure as well as water solutions to support continued

– which provide our employers with access to tens of thousands of

economic growth.

highly-educated graduates every year.

Our region has become one of the epicenters of the move towards

Pinal County is transforming into a key player in the global

electric vehicles – with manufacturers like Lucid and Nikola

economy. We hope you will consider joining us.

as well as the recent announcement by LG Energy Solution of a battery manufacturing plant. This transformation is driving

Leo Lew

additional demand for copper and will result in billions of dollars

Pinal County Manager

in investment in our communities in the coming years.

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WHY PINAL COUNTY Pinal County, incorporated in February 1875, comprises 5,374

The County is centrally located and within a reasonable drive

square miles. Nestled between Maricopa County (Phoenix)

to significant commercial air service. Phoenix Sky Harbor

and Pima County (Tucson), Pinal County is home to over 450k

International Airport is within an hour of most of Pinal

residents. The County has two distinct regions: the eastern

County, while Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport is located near

mountainous area (copper mining and tourism) and the western

the northeastern boundary with Maricopa County. Tucson

lower valley desert area (manufacturing, distribution and

International Airport also provides an option for many Pinal

agriculture).

County residents, and is within a one hour drive. Several general aviation airports are also located in the County including Pinal

Located in the very heart of the Sun Corridor, Pinal County has

Airpark, which is home to operations related to aircraft storage

a very diverse economy. Since the County’s inception 135 years

and heavy maintenance facilities for commercial jets.

ago, copper mining has been and remains an economic mainstay, creating thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in tax revenue

Several national, state and county parks and recreation areas

to the state, county and local economies. The movement towards

are located in the County ranging from the Casa Grande Ruins

electric vehicles and other green energy technology has resulted

National Park in Coolidge, to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum

in a rebirth of mining operations. Another major economic

near Superior, the Florence Historical District, and McFarland

engine is agriculture. The central to western area of the County

State Historic Park, both located in the Town of Florence,

is home to hundreds of family, corporate and university-based

Picacho Peak State Park near Red Rock, the Lost Dutchman

farms supporting various types of agricultural products.

State Park in Apache Junction and Oracle State Park near Oracle.

Water sports and fishing are available at San Carlos lake, located

Major manufacturing operations and distribution firms are

in the northeast area of the County above the Gila River on the

centered along Pinal County’s main traffic corridors of Interstate

San Carlos Indian Reservation. Thousands of people from around

10 (California to Florida), Interstate 8, (Pinal County to San

the world come to Pinal County to visit these and other parks

Diego) and US Route 60. Rail corridors in the County also include

and recreation areas and to take advantage of the moderate,

the Union Pacific Sunset Line (Long Beach to El Paso) and

year-round weather.

Copper Basin railroads. Pinal County provides an opportunity to create a major multi-modal warehouse/distribution network

These assets along with a “pro-business” climate that has been

along with locations for rail served manufacturing operations.

developed and implemented by Pinal County and our community governments, the availability of and affordability of land, well

The County is also seeing strong growth in the emerging

managed water resources, an excellent transportation system

manufacturing and technology sectors such as aerospace

and power grid and a skilled, trained and available workforce,

and aviation, electric vehicles and batteries, bio-technology,

all create a multitude of opportunities.

renewable/green technologies (solar and wind), the supply chains related to semiconductors and building materials. The County’s robust recreational, cultural and tourism opportunities, contribute to the continued creation of a diverse economy and high-wage job opportunities as well as a very high quality of life.

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WELCOME TO PINAL COUNTY – WIDE OPEN OPPORTUNITY!

COMMUNITY SNAPSHOTS APACHE JUNCTION | APACHEJUNCTIONAZ.GOV

Apache Junction, located in northern Pinal County and immediately adjacent to the Phoenix metro area, has significant prospects for future economic development growth. The community offers plenty of land to support new manufacturing and distribution/logistics locations, as well as commercial development. The State Route 24 extension, the US-60 corridor and the future North/South corridor all further increase the attractiveness of Apache Junction as a business location. There are also plentiful opportunities around tourism, outdoor recreation and equestrian lifestyles.

CASA GRANDE | CASAGRANDEAZ.GOV

Casa Grande serves as a manufacturing, logistics, health care, retail and commercial hub for Pinal County. The community is conveniently located between the state’s major metropolitan areas of Phoenix and Tucson, and has thousands of acres of developable land in its industrial corridor. These sites are zoned for industrial uses and are available at a fraction of the cost of metro-area lands. Casa Grande offers strategic benefits, workforce solutions, and a high quality of life, which is why Lucid Motors and many other advanced manufacturing and logistics companies have chosen to call Casa Grande home.

COOLIDGE | COOLIDGEAZ.COM

Centrally located between Phoenix and Tucson, Coolidge is your destination for business. With easy access to I-8 and I-10, accessible rail service, a growing population and a staff dedicated to facilitation of projects, Coolidge means business. The community is home to Nikola Motor and Procter & Gamble will begin construction of a significant manufacturing facility in early 2024.

N

EL

O

A

ELOY | ELOYAZ.GOV

Y, O ARIZ

The City of Eloy, strategically located midway between Phoenix and Tucson, and only 2 hours from Mexico has been a key location for truck and traveler services for many years. The community’s excellent location, affordable land prices and a consistent pro-growth attitude have made it the new location for industrial, distribution and residential investment. With over 12 miles of I-10 frontage and four full-diamond interchanges, exploring a location in Eloy is a smart move for relocation or expansion.

FLORENCE | FLORENCEAZ.GOV

Florence, located between the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas, has experienced dramatic growth and development in recent years. With its proud western heritage, historic downtown district, and cherished traditions including the Junior Parada, the world’s oldest sanctioned youth rodeo, the Town has maintained its small-town ambiance, sense of place and character while managing this rapid development. As the Pinal County seat, Florence is well-equipped to accommodate future development due to its ample water supply, abundance of

developable land, and its forward-thinking leaders, who are committed to fostering responsible growth while remaining responsive to the needs of its citizens and business community.

MARICOPA | MARICOPA-AZ.GOV

The City of Maricopa celebrated its 20th year of incorporation in 2023. In this short time, the community has grown tremendously from a community of just over 5,000 residents to 64,000 residents — the most populated city in Pinal County. The community boasts a quality of life unlike any other, and has been identified as the best place to raise a family in Arizona from Homesnack.com and the fourth safest City in Arizona from Alarms.org.

The City also has a surplus of ready-to-work employees, with 62% having attended at least some college. In addition, the City has Amtrak’s only stop in the Phoenix area. This is only one of the strong connections to local and global markets that create an outstanding location to work and do business.

QUEEN CREEK | QUEENCREEKAZ.GOV

The Town of Queen Creek is a fast growing community with a young, highly educated workforce, located in the northeastern portion of Pinal County. The Town is strategically located just south of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, the ASU Polytechnic campus, and has ample land available for industrial and commercial development along the new SR-24. LG Energy Solution recently announced manufacturing projects that total $5.5 billion dollars in investment and will employ nearly 4,000 people.

SAN TAN VALLEY | PINAL.GOV

San Tan Valley is a fast-growing, unincorporated area in northern Pinal County, and is adjacent to the Town of Queen Creek and northeast of the Town of Florence.

This area is home to 100,000 residents, which provides significant opportunities for retail, restaurant and entertainment establishments. San Tan Valley was recently named one of the top five best communities to move to by AZ Big Media.

SUPERIOR | SUPERIORAZ.GOV

The Town of Superior is strategically located on the US-60 Highway in northeastern Pinal County, and is the gateway to Arizona’s Copper Corridor. In addition to being the site of one of the world’s largest untapped copper ore deposits, the Town is heralded as a destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Surrounded by majestic mountains, hikers, bikers, off-roaders and other adventure seekers can explore and experience both peaceful and thrilling activities. The Boyce Thompson Arboretum is another cornerstone attraction of the community with over 100,000 visitors a year. In addition to enhancing its reputation as a premier tourism destination, the Town is investing in a diverse economy characterized by highquality jobs and a growing entrepreneurial ecosystem through its innovative Superior Enterprise Center.

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QUALITY OF LIFE Pinal County is world renowned for its wide open spaces and abundance of natural and majestic beauty.

HOUSING From sprawling ranches and equestrian estates to master planned communities, housing in Pinal County is plentiful.

Home ownership is more attainable in Pinal County than the Phoenix Metro area. The median home value in Pinal County is approximately $375,000, which is more in line with the US as a whole ($350,000) and well below the median value of homes in Maricopa County ($449,000).

EDUCATION Educational offerings abound in Pinal County with 106 elementary, middle and high schools as well as 19 charter schools.

For postsecondary education, Pinal County residents are within commuting distance of both Arizona State University’s Tempe campus and the Polytechnic campus in Mesa and the University of Arizona’s Tucson campus.

Central Arizona College, Pinal County’s primary two-year, accredited postsecondary institution has five campuses located throughout the county as well as a comprehensive online presence.

PARKS AND RECREATION Throughout the year, people from around the world visit Pinal County for its parks and recreational areas, including the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park, the Florence Historic District, McFarland State Historic Park, Oracle State Park and San Carlos Lake.

ARTS AND CULTURE Pinal County’s arts and cultural scene appeals to history buffs and art lovers alike. The Pinal County Historical Society & Museum brings visitors back to America’s Old West with Native American artifacts, relics of the pioneer era and other vestiges of frontier days. In addition to these landmarks, residents can also enjoy seasonal events such as the Renaissance Festival, Country Thunder Music Festival, and, of course, spring training baseball games throughout the metro Phoenix area.

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BUSINESS CLIMATE Operating costs in Pinal County are at least 36% lower than in California. Combined

ARIZONA IS RECOGNIZED

BY MULTIPLE PUBLICATIONS FOR ITS BUSINESS CLIMATE

with targeted business tax credits and easy access to a broad range of global and regional markets, including Mexico, California, and Texas, firms based in Pinal County have a distinct financial advantage over many major markets in the country.

The Pinal County Board of Supervisors and the elected bodies of its municipal governments work vigorously and collaboratively to ensure that companies benefit from a business-friendly culture.

STATE OF ARIZONA: OPEN FOR BUSINESS Arizona is an unparalleled location for business expansion and relocation thanks to

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its reduced government regulations, available workforce and low cost environment –

QUALITY AND AVAILABILITY OF WORKFORCE (CNBC, 2022)

including a corporate income tax is that among the lowest in the nation. Other business advantages include: 

No corporate franchise tax



No income tax on dividends from out-of-state subsidiaries



No worldwide unitary tax



Support foreign trade zones



Accelerated depreciation schedules



100% of net operating loss carried forward for five years



Minimal regulation



Right-to-work state



Low unionization



Targeted incentives

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TOP TEN

TOP

FIFTEEN

BEST STATE FOR BUSINESS (Chief Executive Magazine, 2023)

BEST STATE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORTATION (CNBC, 2022)

BUSINESS FRIENDLINESS (CNBC, 2022)

WITH SO MANY CORPORATE ADVANTAGES, IT IS NO WONDER WHY ARIZONA CONSISTENTLY RANKS HIGH FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS.

TOP

10

Area Development Magazine ranks Arizona in the Top 10 in many key business factors, including Access to Capital & Funding, Competitive Labor Market, Cooperative & Responsive State/Local Government, Workforce Training Programs, Available Real Estate, and Corporate Tax Structure. (2023) 5

TALENT / WORKFORCE Pinal County has a young, talented workforce that is key to helping our local employers thrive. Nearly 58% of the County’s residents have some college experience, and over 34% have an associates degree or higher. Roughly 85% of the County’s workforce is employed in service providing industries, while 15% are employed in goods producing industries which include agriculture, mining, construction, and manufacturing.

With a County labor force of over 200,000 workers – and combined with 600,000 additional workers who reside within communities such as Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Tempe and Marana - employers based in Pinal County can readily capitalize on the nearly 800,000 skilled employees, many in managerial, professional and technical fields.

The County is committed to developing its talent pipeline.

In addition, the County’s Board of Supervisors has approved a job

A Pinal County location offers an extraordinary wealth of training

training reimbursement program for high-impact projects and/or

and educational resources for companies across the economic

those that create high-wage jobs.

spectrum. All three state universities - University of Arizona, Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University - have programs in or within close proximity of Pinal County.

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

For business that require custom and specialized training,

   

ARIZONA@WORK, a statewide workforce development consortium, can work directly with companies in Pinal County to

10.6% LESS THAN HIGH SCHOOL DEGREE 31.6% HIGH SCHOOL DEGREE OR GED 35.2% SOME COLLEGE OR ASSOCIATES DEGREE 22.6% BACHELORS DEGREE OR HIGHER

assist in recruiting, developing and retaining as well as retraining the best employees for their needs. Candidate matching and screening, skills assessment, on-the-job training, internships,

POPULATION

and apprenticeships are only part of what ARIZONA@WORK

POPULATION BY AGE

   

offers to companies locating and expanding in Pinal County.

24.6%: 0 - 19 YEARS 21.6%: 20-34 YEARS 26.7% 35-54 YEARS 27.0%: 55+ YEARS

The County also maintains programs and partnerships to assist its employers in securing the workforce they need and to upskill our residents to prepare them for the jobs of the future.

PROJECTED POPULATION GROWTH

Drive48 is a partnership between the Arizona Commerce Authority, the County, Casa Grande, Central Arizona College and Lucid Motors which has trained over 2,000 workers.

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2017 400,950

2022 453,924 13.2% INCREASE

2030 587,821 29.5% INCREASE

2040 778,909 32.5% INCREASE

PRO-BUSINESS INCENTIVES FOREIGN TRADE ZONES

Currently, most of Pinal County is part of the expanded territory

Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ) are designated sites licensed by the

(Alternative Site Framework (ASF)) for Foreign Trade Zone #75

FTZ Board, and remain under supervision of the U.S. Customs

administered by the City of Phoenix. Southern Pinal County is a

and Border Protection (CBP). Foreign and domestic merchandise

part of Foreign Trade Zone #174, which is administered by Sun

may be moved into zones for storage, exhibition, assembly,

Corridor Inc.

manufacturing, and processing without payment of duties, quota and other import restrictions until the decision is made to enter

OPPORTUNITY ZONES

the goods into the U.S. market.

The program was created to increase investment by investors into specific low-income communities. Under the program, investors

BENEFITS INCLUDE:

who experience capital gains can invest that money into Qualified



Duty deferral

Opportunity Funds that spur development in designated census



Duty elimination on exports

tracts known as Opportunity Zones. Doing so comes with tax



Duty reduction (inverted tariff relief)

benefits to the investors, and most importantly, provides positive

and elimination on imports

economic and social impacts within these communities.



Scrap/Waste savings

Pinal County has nine designated Opportunity Zones.



No time constraints on storage



Shorter transit time - Direct Delivery



Weekly entry



A rizona offers an over 70% reduction in real and personal

property taxes for activated FTZs (certain restrictions apply) 7

CONNECTIVITY / MARKET ACCESS Pinal County’s is ideally located in the heart of the Sun Corridor.

In fact, a one-day truck haul can reach markets in California,

This prime location, along with modern well-developed

Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico.

infrastructure, including multiple freeways, rail systems, and

The County’s major traffic corridors include:

airports offer the ability to access some of the world’s largest



Interstate 10 (California to Florida)

economies, including California, Texas and Mexico - and over 35



Interstate 8 (Pinal County to San Diego)

million consumers within a single day’s truck haul. The County’s



US Route 60 (Access to New Mexico)

multi-modal transportation systems allow people and products to



Highway 87 (Bisects the County)

move efficiently throughout the region.

Improvements to I-10 through Pinal County are expected

RAILWAYS

to be complete in 2026, which will increase accessibility to

Union Pacific’s rail operations in Pinal County, along with its

other markets, including the Phoenix Metro area.

competitive freight rates, are a key driver for a producer economy.

The service intersects the County, with multi-modal opportunities

In addition, the state of Arizona is working with the federal

along the I-10 and I-8 freeways.

government on Interstate 11. Once complete, this highway will provide access to an extensive trade corridor which is expected

AIRPORTS

to consist of a continuous four-lane highway from Mexico City

Businesses and residents can access nearly any destination

through Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada to Edmonton, Alberta

throughout the U.S. and the world through three major airports -

in Canada.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Tucson International Airport, and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport – which are all within a one hour drive of most of Pinal County.

INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS Pinal County is connected to numerous major markets through a robust infrastructure of freeways and interstate highways.

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TRANSPORTATION/DISTRIBUTION The County’s strategic location and excellent access has resulted in many manufacturing and major distribution firms locating here.

PROXIMITY CITY, STATE

DISTANCE

DRIVE TIME

PHOENIX, AZ

45 MI

45 MIN

TUCSON, AZ

63 MI

52 MIN

NOGALES, MEX

139 MI

2 H 42 MIN

SAN DIEGO, CA

395 MI

5 H 59 MIN

LAS VEGAS, NV

381 MI

6 H 6 MIN

EL PASO, TX

388 MI

5 H 36 MIN

ALBUQUERQUE, NM

405 MI

6 H 57 MIN

LOS ANGELES, CA

419 MI

6 H 48 MIN

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

840 MI

12 H 16 MIN

1 HOUR

2 HOURS

3 HOURS

4 HOURS

FLIGHT TIME DALLAS, TX

1,023 MI

HOUSTON, TX

1,134 MI SALEM 2 H 30 MIN

2 H 20 MIN

MINNEAPOLIS, MN

1,676 MI

3 H 0 MIN

SEATTLE, WA

1,472 MI

3 H 5 MIN

CHICAGO, IL

1,753 MI

3 H 20 MIN

CALGARY, ALBERTA

1,557 MI

3 H 20 MIN

VANCOUVER, BC

1,389 MI

3 H 30 MIN

ATLANTA, GA

2,099 MI

NEW YORK, NY

2,429 MI

84

1 DAY TRUCK HAUL FROM PINAL COUNTY

OR

BOISE

4 H 5 MIN

84

ID 25 86

4 H 30 MIN 84

WY

15

*Distances are based on the geographical center of Pinal County, near Coolidge. Times based on Google Maps estimates.

5 80 84 80

SACRAMENTO

CHEYENNE

SALT LAKE CITY

CARSON CITY

25 76

15

NV

15

LAS VEGAS

LOS ANGELES PORT OF LOS ANGELES

25

AZ

15

KINGMAN FLAGSTAFF 40

40

PALM SPRINGS SAN DIEGO 8

PORT OF SAN LUIS

100 MILES OF

TRAVEL

200 MILES OF

SANTA FE 25 40

PRESCOTT PORT OF SAN DIEGO

70

CO

UT

CA

DENVER

70

70 5

25

80

WINSLOW ALBUQUERQUE

10

PHOENIX

PINAL COUNTY 19

40

NM 25

TUCSON10 PORT OF NOGALES NOGALES

10

EL PASO

TRAVEL

400 MILES OF

TRAVEL HERMOSILLO PORT OF HERMOSILLO 9

Chandler Municipal Airport

Ak-Chin Regional Airport

Coolidge Municipal Airport

Casa Grande Municipal Airport

Eloy Municipal Airport

TOHONO O’ODHAM NATION

Pinal Airpark

FOUNDED:

1875 10

AREA:

5,374 mi

2

POPULATION:

453,924 (Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity, 2022)

Miami-Inspiration Mine

Carlota Mine

Ray Mine

Kearny Airport

San Manual Airport San Manual Copper Mine

Displayed companies/establishments are those that have been recently announced or are already existing in Pinal County prior to publication.

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INDUSTRIAL PARKS APACHE JUNCTION (ARIZONA STATE LAND) Location: State Route 24 and Ironwood Size: +/- 1,000 acres total

+

Zoning: Master Planned Community (Industrial uses permitted)

CENTRAL ARIZONA COMMERCE PARK (CASA GRANDE) Home to Lucid Motors and semi-conductor supply chain companies Location: NEC Burris Road & Peters Road Size: ±740 acres total Zoning: I-2 Heavy Industrial Zoning

+

EAGLE WING (MARICOPA) Location: Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway & White & Parker Road Size: ± 428 acres total Zoning: P lanned area Development (PAD) and General Use Mixed (GU-M)

INLAND PORT ARIZONA (COOLIDGE) Home to Nikola and future home of Procter & Gamble Location: SR 87 & Houser Size: ± 2,738 acres total

+

Zoning: I-2 Heavy Industrial Zoning

INTERSTATE 10/8 BUSINESS PARK (ELOY) Location: I-10 & Sunshine Boulevard Size: ± 1,173 acres total Zoning: M ixed Use – Industrial, Commercial, Hospitality,

QUEEN CREEK – ARIZONA STATE LAND

Distribution, Manufacturing

Future home of LG Energy Solution Location: State Route 24 & Meridian Road

PINAL COUNTY TECH PARK (CASA GRANDE) Home to Abbott and Frito-Lay Location: Maricopa Casa Grande Highway Size: ± 1,064 acres total Zoning: I-2 Heavy Industrial Zoning 12

Size: ± 4,100 acres total Zoning: Urban Employment, Urban

MANUFACTURING

SNAPSHOT OF ARIZONA’S MANUFACTURING SECTOR

Arizona is home to thousands of manufacturing companies, from small firms to global corporations, such as Intel, Boeing, Raytheon, Amkor, Northrop Grumman and Honeywell.

According to Lightcast 2022 data, Arizona ranks in the top four states in the nation for semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing employment and in the top five in aerospace vehicles and defense manufacturing.

STATE MANUFACTURING

$40.0 BILLION

GROSS PRODUCT (Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2022)

Pinal County is home to a diverse manufacturing landscape, including companies such as Lucid, Nikola, Kohler, Frito Lay, Abbott Laboratories, Hexcel, and Cargill Incorporated.

In recent years, the County has seen significant announcements in the semi-conductor supply chain that will result in over 600 jobs and nearly $1B in capital investment as well

5.5K

MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN ARIZONA (Lightcast, 2022)

as future investments from Procter & Gamble, LG Energy Solution and Gold Bond.

TOTAL ARIZONA

That is because manufacturers benefit greatly from Pinal County’s strategic location, partnerships between our local governments and the Arizona Commerce Authority, all

191K

of which bring together necessary resources.

TOTAL VALUE OF

(OUTPUT IN BILLIONS OF 2022 DOLLARS) COMPUTER & ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS | $10.21B



AEROSPACE & TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT | $9.03B



FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS | $3.01B



CHEMICAL PRODUCTS | $2.89B



FOOD PRODUCTS | $2.48B



MISCELLANEOUS DURABLE GOODS | $2.47B



MACHINERY | $1.81B



NONMETALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS | $1.53B



PRIMARY METALS | $1.28B



BEVERAGE & TOBACCO PRODUCTS | $0.98B

MANUFACTURING (Lightcast, 2022)

ARIZONA TOP 10 MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 

EMPLOYMENT IN

$27.3 BILLION

ARIZONA EXPORTS (U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Statistics, 2022) SEMICONDUCTOR

TOP FOUR

EXPORTS IN THE UNITED STATES (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022)

(Lightcast, 2022)

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AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING Arizona has a long history in the automotive engineering and testing arena. Most major manufacturers have had a presence in Arizona over the years, with Volkswagen and Nissan maintaining

PINAL COUNTY OFFERS AN EXTRAORDINARY WEALTH OF TRAINING AND

facilities in Pinal County.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR COMPANIES ACROSS THE ECONOMIC SPECTRUM. AN EXAMPLE IS DRIVE48, A STATE-OF-THE-ART TRAINING

In recent years, Pinal County has become a hub of electric vehicle manufacturing. Lucid Motors – which produced the 2022 Motor Trend Car of the Year – manufactures in the County. While Nikola Motors builds electric semi-trucks, and is moving towards hydrogen-powered technology going forward. In addition, LG Energy Solution recently announced a significant project in the County that will produce electric vehicle batteries to power the future.

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FACILITY THAT IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN LUCID, THE STATE OF ARIZONA, PINAL COUNTY, THE CITY OF CASA GRANDE AND CENTRAL ARIZONA COLLEGE. THE FACILITY WITH ITS HIGH-TECH CAPABILITIES, SIMILAR TO WHAT IS USED IN THE LUCID FACTORY, HAS PRODUCED OVER 2,000 EMPLOYEES THAT ARE PREPARED FOR THESE AUTOMOTIVE ASSEMBLY AND ADVANCED MANUFACTURING JOBS.

ACCOLADES OF ARIZONA’S AEROSPACE & DEFENSE SECTOR

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE The aerospace and defense (A&D) sector has a long history and a promising future in Arizona. The state is home to several large military bases, including Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Fort Huachuca, Luke Air Force Base and the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. These facilities provide everything from training and testing labs to the largest unmanned aircraft systems training center in the world. The presence of these significant defense assets were a key factor in the State of Arizona receiving $12.3B

EMPLOYMENT

1

ST

in Department of Defense contracts in FY2021.

as well as Hexcel, Ascent Aerospace Services and eCube in Pinal County specifically.

IN GUIDED MISSILE AND SPACE VEHICLE MANUFACTURING (Lightcast, 2022) AVIATION

More than 1,200 aerospace and defense firms operate in Arizona, including Boeing, General Dynamics, Honeywell, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman,

CONCENTRATION

TOP TWO

MAINTENANCE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY (Aeronautical Repair Station Association, 2022)

ARIZONA BOASTS A STRONG CONCENTRATION OF SPECIALIZED A&D PROFICIENCIES INCLUDING: 

Aerospace Parts Development & Manufacturing



Avionics & Sensor Technology



Command Control Communications Computers & Intelligence (C4I)



Information Systems & Cyber Technologies



Power Systems



Space Technologies



Weapons & Armor Systems

TOP FIVE

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE (Lightcast, 2022)

TOTAL AEROSPACE &

$4.6 BILLION

DEFENSE EXPORTS (Arizona Commerce Authority, WISERTrade, 2022)

TOP SIX

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT” (Lightcast, 2022)

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NATURAL & RENEWABLE RESOURCES AGRICULTURE Agriculture is another economic pillar for the Pinal County economy with hundreds of family, corporate and university-based farms supplying commodities such as Pima cotton, hay, sorghum, millet, corn, sheep, cattle and fresh produce.

In addition to these farming operations, Pinal County is also home to several state-of-the-art research facilities, including the University of Arizona-Maricopa campus, dedicated to advancing agriculture technology through the evolution of equipment, crop protection, crop improvement and resource conservation.

MINING The mining industry is an important contributor to the Arizona economy. According to the Arizona Mining Association, Arizona ranked first among all states in non-fuel mineral resource production in 2021. Arizona copper accounts for 74% of U.S. copper production, with output valued at $6.2 billion in 2021.

Since Pinal County’s inception in 1875, copper mining has remained an economic mainstay, creating thousands of highpaying jobs and billions of dollars in tax revenue to the state, county and local economies. The move towards electric vehicles and other green energy solutions is driving billions of dollars in additional investment and is expected to create thousands of new jobs in the coming years. 

Resolution Copper: Projected to be the largest copper mine

in North America; will support up to 1,500 jobs



Cactus Mine: High-grade copper deposit estimated at

2.92 pounds; will support up to 300 jobs

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Florence Copper: Uses advanced technology to “mine” with

minimal environmental footprint; will support up to 500 jobs



Ivanhoe Electric: Santa Cruz Copper Project - acquired

approx 6,000 acres for a high-grade, low carbon dioxide footprint underground copper mine creating 3,000 jobs

SOLAR With more than 300 days of sunshine annually, it is no wonder companies like Apple, Meta, APS, First Solar and Avangrid Renewable consider Arizona an ideal location for this source of renewable energy.

In 2023, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), in partnership with Wood Mackenzie, reported that in Arizona a total of 368 solar companies employ over 8,000 people. Arizona’s solar generation is currently 9.8% of all electricity, enough to power nearly one million homes.

WATER Since before it even became a state, Arizona has prioritized smart water use. Evidence suggests the indigenous peoples who once inhabited this area were wise stewards of the available water, and this has continued as agriculture has flourished and urbanization followed.

Agriculture set an example by consistently using best practices to grow crops efficiently. The municipalities have subsequently adopted best practices and can show that per capita water use has fallen since the 1950s.

The State of Arizona recognized the need to develop additional and renewable water supplies, and efforts included working with the Federal Bureau of Reclamation to build dams to catch flood waters and constructing the Central Arizona Project Canal to bring Stateappropriated water from the Colorado River.

These combined efforts have resulted in residential development that can prove a sustainable 100-year supply of water before any homes are built. Commercial and industrial developments are typically not required to prove a supply of water, but most are part of water systems that have been designated as having a sustainable water supply.

As Arizona looks to the future, efforts are underway to develop additional water supplies and strengthen water conservation efforts to maintain the quality of life its citizens enjoy.

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HEALTH SERVICES Pinal County has more than 290 health services companies, including primary and emergency care, specialists, pharmacies, dentistry, hospice care, laboratories, ambulance services, nutrition, research and manufacturing.

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In 2022, healthcare employers in Arizona added 9,500 jobs, a growth rate of 3.0%. That is faster than healthcare companies nationwide (2.0%).

BANNER HEALTH + a nonprofit healthcare provider based in

Phoenix, is Arizona’s largest private employer with 24 hospitals throughout the state, including several clinics and the following hospitals in Pinal County:

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BANNER CASA GRANDE MEDICAL CENTER + a 177-bed

general medical and surgical hospital, which also serves as a base station for more than 12 emergency medical service providers in Pinal County.

BANNER GOLDFIELD MEDICAL CENTER + located in Apache

Junction, is a 20-bed hospital offering an array of medical care, including emergency services and surgical care.

BANNER IRONWOOD MEDICAL CENTER + located in Queen

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Creek/San Tan Valley, consists of 47-rooms focused on emergency services, obstetrics, surgery, pediatric and general care. It is anticipated that the site will eventually consist of 500 beds as well as supporting health services in the future. currently planning a facility for Eloy, which is expected to EXCEPTIONAL HEALTHCARE (MARICOPA) + Exceptional

open in late 2024.

Community Hospital-Maricopa is a 20,000 square-foot stateof the art facility with specialty internal medicine, a 24-hour

FLORENCE HOSPITAL + Florence Hospital, a campus of

emergency department, a digital imaging suite – including CT

Mountain Vista Medical Center, is a 36-bed hospital offering

Scan, X-Ray, mobile MRI and ultrasound – an in-house laboratory,

emergency care, as well as surgical, imaging and lab services.

and outpatient and inpatient hospital beds for acute admissions and overnight observation of patients. Additionally, a landing area

SUN LIFE HEALTH + a non-profit, community health center,

for air ambulances is onsite to ensure an efficient transfer

has 12 facilities that provide primary healthcare services

of patients that need a higher level of care. Exceptional is

throughout the County.

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TOURISM Scenic beauty, excellent weather, majestic sunsets and the natural wonder make tourism the number one industry in Arizona. In 2022, Arizona saw 40.2 million

ARIZONA ZIPLINE ADVENTURES

domestic overnight visitors, spending roughly $28.1 billion. As tourism continues

On the back of Mount Lemmon, the

to grow, so does Pinal County. The community is already a destination hub for

highest point of the Santa Catalina

those seeking recreational adventure, annual festivals and an exploration of

Mountains, visitors can experience the

Arizona’s magnificent landmarks.

longest zipline in Arizona as well as mountainside musicals, camping and dining events.

BIOSPHERE 2 Originally built to be an artificial,

BOYCE THOMPSON ARBORETUM

A treasured national monument, the

enclosed ecosystem, this three-acre

The Boyce Thompson Arboretum offers

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

structure remains the largest closed

stunning vistas and excellent walks

features ruins of the Hohokam people

system ever created. Now a world-

focused on the unique flora and fauna

who settled and farmed the Arizona

renowned center for research, outreach,

many times missed in these unique desert

region in the 13th century.

teaching and lifelong learning about

locations. In 2024, the Arboretum will

Earth, Biosphere 2 serves as an exciting

have many special events to commemorate

and educational tourist destination.

its Centennial Celebration.

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CASA GRANDE RUINS

HARRAH’S AK-CHIN RESORT

ROOSTER COGBURN RANCH

SAN TAN MOUNTAIN CASINO

Harrah’s Ak-Chin delivers a first-class

A one-of-a-kind ostrich ranch located

Gila River’s Santan Mountain Casino is a

resort getaway, offering no shortage of

north of Marana, Arizona and near

state-of-the-art gaming destination with

epic thrills. Boasting more than 500 plush

Picacho Peak, where you get to pet and

813 slot machines, table games, a luxurious

rooms and suites, a sparkling resort pool

feed a variety of exotic animals including

High Limit Room and the largest casino

with a sweeping deck, a blissful spa, and

ostrich, deer, lorikeets, stingrays and so

sportsbook – BetMGM - in the state.

a casino floor filled with the industry’s

many more!

There is also a casual dining area, a fine

hottest games, your trip to Harrah’s will

dining restaurant and ballroom space with

be one for the books.

an outdoor garden, plus so much more!

SKYDIVE ARIZONA

THE WINDMILL WINERY

Located in the heart of the scenic Sonoran

THE SUPERSTITION MOUNTAINS

Desert is the world’s largest skydive center.

Anchoring the northern part of Pinal

authenticity and subtle elegance makes

Skydive Arizona is known world-wide due

County, the Superstition Mountains

it one of the most unique wedding venues

to its large fleet of aircraft and an indoor

offer scenic trails as well as a museum for

in Arizona. Guests can also sample wines,

skydiving facility. They offer tandem

visitors to learn more of local lore. It’s also

eat at food trucks, and enjoy live music,

skydives for the first-timers as well as

home to Goldfield Ghost Town and the

entertainment, and special group events.

a variety of services for experienced,

new Peralta Regional Park.

The Windmill Winery’s blend of rural

licensed skydivers

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TESTIMONIALS ATTESA “Almost 10 years ago, I began working on building a motorsports park in Arizona. Today, after surviving a recession and finding a better partner who shared my vision, Danrick Builders is developing Attesa, a 2,500-acre racing, advanced technology and entertainment community, just west of Casa Grande. We wouldn’t be where we are, both literally and figuratively, if it wasn’t for the foresight, hard work and leadership that could only be found in Pinal County.”

– Patrick Johnson | Danrick Builders

LUCID MOTORS “Lucid broke ground on its 496-acre Advanced Manufacturing Plant (AMP-1) together with Governor Doug Ducey in Casa Grande in 2019, and completed its first phase of construction in 2020. Lucid chose this site after an extensive search across 13 US states and more than 60 sites. The company selected Arizona based upon numerous positive factors – including business climate, infrastructure, talent, geographic location, and the pre-existing automotive supply chain in the Arizona-Sonora region – but it also offered space for a large footprint and planned expansions, as key areas of the factory were intentionally designed with this in mind.

We recognize and appreciate the leadership, hard work and dedication of Pinal County, including the Drive 48 partnership and land assemblage of 1800+ acres, in support of our company’s manufacturing development and growth to date and looking forward.”

— Daniel Witt | Director of State Public Policy at Lucid Motors

NIKOLA CORPORATION “Nikola continues to lead the way towards a zero-emissions world. Our commitment to establishing our Class 8 battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle manufacturing facility in Pinal County remains steadfast. This strategic location plays a pivotal role in bringing our vision to fruition. By being geographically positioned next to major customer markets, we maintain our commitment to serve as a driving force in Arizona’s thriving electric vehicle community. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Coolidge community and Pinal County for their invaluable support as we drive towards a cleaner, greener future for generations to come.”

— Jaime Ulloa | Global Head of Manufacturing at Nikola Motor Company

PROCTER & GAMBLE “Since purchasing land in the Inland Port Arizona (IPAZ) in January 2023, Procter & Gamble has been partnering with Pinal County, along with others throughout the state. The Pinal County team has been great to work with, helping us navigate the local job market and understand more about job seekers in the County. When we start constructing the new site and building our workforce, our partnerships in the County will help us be successful. We feel very welcomed by Pinal County and are happy to be here!”

— Eric Craft | Human Resources Director at Procter & Gamble

SAINT HOLDINGS “In our minds, there has never been a more exciting time to be in Pinal County. Our company has been an active developer in Pinal County for well over a decade, with such projects as the Central Arizona Commerce Park (home to Tractor Supply and Lucid Motors) and Inland Port AZ (home to Nikola and the future Procter & Gamble plant) as well as other land holdings for future master plan developments.

There is a will and desire by the County, its communities, local officials and staff to grow and encourage economic development and to do so in a sustainable manner. This will allow for diversity in the array of businesses that will choose to locate here. The unified collaboration between all key players has never been stronger, and it leads to the ability to accommodate growth at a fast pace.

The County can accommodate all types of business with its available land and robust utility and infrastructure network. In addition, the area offers a great lifestyle, attainable housing, excellent education opportunities, an available, skilled workforce and job training programs, which all contribute to Pinal County being a highly sought after area to both live and work.”

– Jackob Andersen | President and CEO at Saint Holdings 20

PICACHO PEAK WAS THE LOCATION OF THE WESTERNMOST BATTLE OF THE CIVIL WAR - THE BATTLE OF PICACHO PASS.

THE SUPERSTITION MOUNTAINS ARE THE CENTER OF THE LEGEND OF THE LOST DUTCHMAN’S GOLD MINE.

THE ARIZONA NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL IS AN 800+ MILE TRAIL STRETCHING FROM MEXICO TO THE UTAH BORDER, WITH APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES WITHIN PINAL COUNTY.

ELOY, AN ACRONYM FOR EAST LINE OF YUMA - A NAME GIVEN BY THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD, IS HOME TO THE WORLD’S LARGEST SKYDIVING FACILITY.

KEARNY WAS FOUNDED AS A PLANNED COMMUNITY BY THE KENNECOTT MINING COMPANY FOR ITS MINERS.

SUPERIOR, THE FINAL RESTING PLACE OF MATTIE BLAYLOCK, WYATT EARP’S COMMONLAW WIFE, ALSO HOSTS THE BOYCE THOMPSON ARBORETUM, THE OLDEST AND LARGEST BOTANICAL GARDEN IN THE STATE.

PINAL COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

THE HON. KEVIN CAVANAUGH DISTRICT 1

THE HON. MIKE GOODMAN DISTRICT 2

THE HON. STEVE MILLER DISTRICT 3

THE HON. JEFFREY McCLURE DISTRICT 4

THE HON. JEFF SERDY DISTRICT 5

THE HON. LEO LEW PINAL COUNTY MANAGER

This publication was produced and printed by Kramer Media with support from the Gila River Indian Community.