Glendale-based The Mangat Group closed on a land deal with leading U.S.based battery developer KORE Power.
The lithium-ion battery manufacturer plans to build KOREPlex, a 2 million-square-foot lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility, on the 214 acres at State Route 85 and Baseline Road in Buckeye.
Tony Mangat, founder of The Mangat Group, purchased the property in December 2020 with the hopes of finding a buyer who would use it to support the community. Despite receiving higher offers, Mangat was confident that the project will have positive economic development.
“This new battery facility is for the greatest good for the community,” Mangat said. “KORE Power will provide multiple job opportunities for local residents, especially as the city continues to grow. A large employer like KORE Power allows residents to cut their commute, creating a more sustainable, affordable and convenient lifestyle and further advancing sustainability efforts.”
According to KORE, the company will have 3,000 employees at full annual production. The project is expected
west valley
April 20, 2022
to generate approximately 10,000 indirect jobs for the city of Buckeye.
“The KOREPlex project will cement Buckeye’s position as a leader in cleantech as our highly trained employees deliver the battery cells that will form the backbone of the green economy across the United States and the globe,” said Lindsay Gorrill, founder and CEO of KORE Power.
Mangat said Buckeye is the perfect place for this project because of its proximity and ease to transfer materials to and from the site.
“The location is ideal, and it is vital,” he said. “They’re going to have a lot of stuff for KORE coming from overseas. All that raw material will be coming from overseas, and of course they’re going to ship overseas. Everything on that land makes perfect senses for them to be there. It’s going to save a lot of money and a lot of headaches.”
Steven Strickbine, publisher
Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Executive Editor
KORE Power closes on property in Buckeye
Additionally, Mangat said the project will benefit the community and the environment.
“It’s pretty amazing all the way around,” he said.
“I think a lot of people have the wrong idea about us coming in. But we need to get a little more of a destiny for the future, and this will help.”
KORE’s battery manufacturing facility is just one piece of Buckeye’s sustainability goals and industrial growth. The facility is part of a larger initiative known as the Sustainable Valley, an area used to attract other green energy companies.
“Buckeye is proud to be emerging as a leader in green energy, with KORE Power leading the way,” Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn said.
“The opportunities for additional clean energy companies relocating along the SR 85 Corridor, around the Buckeye Municipal Airport and in our Downtown core are endless. Buckeye provides many benefits to sustainable industries, including a strategic location with available sites, efficient and cost-effective transportation options, and a high quality of life. The city would also like to thank Mr. Mangat for his time and efforts in bringing KORE Power to Buckeye. His commitment to the project ensures the Sustainable Valley becomes a reality.”
WV woman grows Desert Edge choir program
BY LAUREN SERRATO West Valley View Staff Writer
Moving to Goodyear from Chicago in 2013, Amy Lowe came to Arizona with loads of experience in music and an open mind.
Looking for a job working with children and music, Lowe was offered the position as choir director at Desert Edge High School in 2014, when the program had 38 students.
Fast forward eight years and Lowe has grown the program to seven choirs on campus, consisting of five curricular choirs and two varsity groups. Nearly 200 students are in the choir program.
As an educator, Lowe said her favorite part about working with students is witnessing the growth, whether it be in her beginning choir or advanced.
“To see them grow from not really caring about music to understanding how difficult it is as a field of study, and to be able to learn to find their own voice and make them the best musician that they can be, it just makes it all worthwhile,” Lowe said.
A highlight of the school year for her choir group are the spring concerts. This year they are Wednesday, April 27, and Thursday, April 28. This year, Lowe said, is especially exciting, as the
There are approximately 180 students in the choir program at Desert Edge High School. (Amy Lowe/Submitted)
kids could not perform since 2019 due to the pandemic.
“Because of COVID, I’ll never take a concert for granted,” Lowe said. “When we couldn’t perform, it was actually devastating. I had seniors that didn’t get their senior honors concert. So this concert coming up is going to be amazing and so high energy. I even had to make it for two nights.”
As choir director, Lowe wears many hats. She conducts the group and sometimes plays the piano. When she’s tied up, a student conducts.
“I’m a pianist, and that is my main instrument, so a lot of the time I’ll typically accompany all of the choirs and I have students that will conduct,” she said. “They’re not afraid; they have no fear of trying things; and as a musician you can’t be afraid of failing, because you make mistakes all the time, and I think there’s beauty in that.”
This fall will begin the four-year countdown to Lowe’s retirement. With no plans to slow down until then, Lowe said she wants to continue growing the program at Desert Edge and the state’s music curriculum.
“My biggest hope is that they continue to support the arts in our district and in our community,” she said. “All my life I thought music should be a core curricular class, and it is in Europe and in many places, because it’s such an important field of study.”
Throughout her time at Desert Edge, Lowe said the students have made her job exciting. It’s a role she wouldn’t trade.
“I was really, really lucky when I got hired here,” she said. “The students at Desert Edge, if they know you care for them and they know that they’re being treated fairly, no matter if they’re a boy or a girl, no matter their nationality, no matter their gender bias, whatever it is, when they’re treated like human beings, they listen and want to be the best person they can be.”
Lowe was voted best high school teacher in the West Valley View’s annual readers’ poll. She looks forward to the rest of her time as choir director.
“We’re a team. It’s not just me, I tell everyone,” Lowe said. “I couldn’t do what I love without them. We work together. I never expect them to work harder than me. The kids here are special. Desert Edge is special.”
If You Go...
WHAT: Desert Edge High School choir concert
WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, and Thursday, April 28
WHERE: Desert Edge High School
Performing Arts Center, 15778 W. Yuma Road, Goodyear COST: $6 at the door
INFO: aguafria.org/dehs
Amy Lowe serves as the choir director at Desert Edge High School. (Amy Lowe/Submitted)
LGI Homes at Terravista offers new, move-in-ready homes and family-friendly amenities in Buckeye. Pricing starts from the $330,000s. (LGI Homes/Submitted)
LGI offers new construction homes in Buckeye
BY WEST VALLEY VIEW STAFF
LGI Homes has opened Terravista, a community in Buckeye with new single-family homes.
Located off AZ-85, LGI Homes at Terravista offers buyers homes ranging from 1,174 to 2,488 square feet. Each home includes the CompleteHome interior package, providing upgrades like granite countertops, a full suite of energy-efficient Whirlpool
appliances, a kitchen outlet with USB charging capability, and professional front yard landscaping — all at no additional cost.
Paired with these upgrades, the floor plan lineup also showcases covered back patios, spacious bedrooms and open-concept layouts.
Homeowners will have access to the family-friendly amenities within the community, including a half basketball
court, children’s playground, barbecue grills, picnic area and large green space.
Just outside of the community lies access to hiking and biking at Skyline and Estrella Mountain regional parks and close proximity to State Farm Stadium.
New homes start in the $330,000s. Info: lgihomes.com/terravista
Public Notice
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF KING, JUVENILE DEPARTMENT NO: 21-7-00829-6
KNT NOTICE OF HEARING IN RE THE DEPENDENCY OF: IVAN SILVARONQUILLO
DOB: 01/07/2008 TO: * Alleged Father, Gerardo Ronquillo;
Unknown Father, and/or anyone claiming parental/paternal rights or interest in the child and to All Whom It May Concern: On December 8, 2021, a petition for Dependency was filed in the above entitled Court, pursuant to RCW 13.34.080 and/or RCW 26.33.310 regarding the above named child, whose parents are Mother, Natalie Silva; *. [FOR FURTHER IN-FORMATION, CALL 253-372-5738, 8:00 a.m.
- 4:30 p.m.] Said Petition will be heard on June 9, 2022, at 8:30 a.m., at Regional Justice Center Courthouse, Rm 1-L, 401 4th Ave North, Kent, WA 98032, be-fore a judge of the above entitled court, at which time you are directed to appear and answer the said petition or the petition will be granted and action will be taken by the court such as shall appear to be for the welfare of the said child. Appearance at
this hearing is required and may be in person or via telephone by calling (253) 215-8782 and entering the Meeting ID #460 423 8467. DATED Monday, March 28, 2022 BARBARA MINER KING COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT CLERK BY: HMGF, Deputy Clerk. Published: West Valley View/Business, Apr 20, 27, May 4, 2022 / 45961
