PHX East Valley Partnership

and FABULOUS

PHX East Valley Partnership has helped create four decades of economic wins and economic expansion for the region

By ERIN THORBURN

What is now the PHX East Valley Partnership may have “officially” launched in 1982, but as former association President and CEO Roc Arnett tells it, its origins started much earlier. More than a decade prior, individuals throughout the East Valley became a united front, focused on advocating for the region’s development and growth. Ultimately, this collection of like-minded people formed an advantageous organization that — 40 years later — continues to affect positive change throughout the East Valley and beyond.

ROC ARNETT DENNY BARNEY

JENN DANIELS JOHN LEWIS

PHX East Valley Partnership early days

As PHX East Valley Partnership commemorates its 40th anniversary, there is much to reflect upon. The desire for transformation and dedication to regional collaboration is something group has always prioritized. According to Arnett, before the PHX East Valley Partnership came to fruition, the desire for growth and alignment was already brewing. By the early 1980s, eastside pioneers agreed to put their weight behind Bruce Babbitt for governor if he agreed to appoint East Valley members to influential state boards and commissions. Both missions came to fruition, and thus, the East Valley Partnership was born.

One of the early victories of EVP occurred in the formation and voter approval of Proposition 300.

“The half-cent sales tax for Maricopa County ultimately helped build the Valley’s freeway system, including the East Valley’s Loop 202 freeway and US 60 extension, as well as other significant arterials,” Arnett explains.

Additionally, early EVP members participated in the transitioning of Williams Air Force Base into what is now Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, as well as contributing to the establishment of the Arizona State University Polytechnic campus, Chandler-Gilbert Community College and the East Valley Maricopa County Court Complex.

Continued progress through collaboration

For the first 20 years, Arnett served as EVP’s president and CEO. Following the leadership stints of Arnett and former Gilbert Mayor John Lewis, Denny Barney, a former member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, took up the baton. During his time at the helm of PHX East Valley Partnership, Barney says one of his greatest joys was seeing the many companies that discovered the benefits of doing business in the East Valley.

“I have enjoyed working alongside a talented and collaborative group of leaders to advocate on issues such as education and transportation that are critical to our region,” Barney says.

Collaboration has been a common thread uniting past and present EVP leaders, as well as those who have worked with them.

Current EVP President and CEO John Lewis (who returned to the organization after a missionary assignment in Phnom Penh, Cambodia) recalls his first glimpse of unity at work, which came shortly after moving to the East Valley in 1985, three years after EVP was established.

“I quickly learned that our community leaders had great vision as they prepared for future residential and commercial

subdivisions, schools, roads, utilities, recreational parks and public safety needs,” Lewis says. “I was amazed and inspired with the foresight that was part of planning for the future. And I was grateful for the regional cooperation that was occurring to ensure that both large and small cities would be able to adequately prepare for the impending growth.”

Jenn Daniels, former mayor of Gilbert and Arizona Transportation Board member adds, “Overall, the East Valley is interconnected in that our economic development in one city impacts another, and it’s what helps us be able to get to that 30,000-foot level.”

Daniels cites Boeing, Deloitte and Intel expansions as perfect examples to showcase the East Valley’s unity, resulting in economic expansion and workforce development for the region and state.

Another collective accomplishment for the East Valley, thanks to the efforts of the PHX East Valley Partnership, is the Superstition Vistas. The project encompasses 175,000 acres of Arizona State Trust Land just east of the Maricopa County line in Pinal County that tracks from south of Apache Junction to north of Florence. The project, which began under the tutelage of Arnett in 2003, was a long-term vision combining sustainable urban and rural living.

“The EVP’s Superstition Vistas Project growth is actually happening now,” Daniels says, “and we’re seeing the benefit of new infrastructure in the area, which has been a key focus for EVP for many many years.”

In December, Brookfield Residential and D.R. Horton announced that the first two communities to take residence in Superstition Vistas are slated for a 2023 opening, with commercial, recreation and school zoning to follow.

Looking ahead

As the PHX East Valley Partnership moves forward, it continues to set its sights on regional cooperation and growth — not only for the East Valley, but also for the entire Greater Phoenix area.

“When I look at the partnership and see our members serving in busy leadership positions — but who make time to build our region’s future — I know the organization’s founders would be proud,” Barney says. “After all, their bright idea has helped to guide thoughtful planning for the region and Greater Phoenix, unite a skilled labor force that is nearly 800,000 workers strong, contribute to a thriving economy — locally, regionally and nationally — and create a quality of life that is second to none for the region’s 1.6 million residents.”

“We will continue to advocate for infrastructure such as transportation and water needs,” Lewis adds, “knowing that there are several important action items to complete in 2022.”

“It seems to me the entire Valley is on the cusp of even greater phenomenal growth and development,” Arnett says. “The PHX East Valley is poised to receive its fair share.”

PHX EAST VALLEY MILESTONES

Here are some milestones that reflect the progress and development in the PHX East Valley, according to Roc Arnett, founder and former president and CEO of PHX East Valley Partnership. The PHX East Valley Partnership is a conduit, acting as a convener, advocate and promoter of the region. 1982: Local leaders establish East Valley Partnership 1985: Proposition 300, which enacted a half-cent sales tax for freeway construction, wins approval 1989: Towns of Queen Creek and Fountain Hills incorporate 1990: Construction of the Loop 202 freeway begins 1992: Williams Air Force Base Economic Reuse Advisory Board is established. Chandler/Gilbert Community Colleges are established 1994: Williams Gateway Airport opens 1996: ASU Polytechnic Campus opens and ASU Tempe Campus expands 1999: Tempe Town Lake opens 2001: Red Mountain Community College Campus opens 2003: Mesa Arts Center opens 2004: The Proposition 400 half-cent freeway and mass transit sales tax is extended for 20 years 2006: PHX East Valley Partnership and East Valley leaders initiate the Superstition Vistas development envisioning process 2008: First miles of the Valley Metro light rail in the East Valley open for ridership 2011: Pinal County approves Superstition Vistas conceptual plan 2014: New Chicago Cubs “Wrigleyville” Cactus League complex opens. Chandler Regional Hospital opens its first major expansion 2016: Waymo begins testing autonomous vehicles in the East Valley 2018: Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek and Tempe continue downtown redevelopment efforts and the PHX East Valley becomes a hotbed for jobs 2021: Brookfield and D.R. Horton break ground on residential and commercial projects in the Superstition Vistas area. Banner Health and Dignity Health begin construction on expanded medical facilities. Intel announces historic $20 billion investment in Chandler 2022: PHX East Valley Partnership celebrates its 40th anniversary

ELECTRIC VALLEY

Electric vehicles are transforming transportation and they are doing it in the PHX East Valley

By KYLE BACKER

On Feb. 10, 2022, the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Energy announced that nearly $5 billion will be made available to states over five years as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Arizona is expected to receive approximately $76.5 million over that period to help create a national electric vehicle (EV) charging network.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says, “A century ago, America ushered in the modern automotive era; now America must lead the electric vehicle revolution. The president’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help us win the EV race by working with states, labor and the private sector to deploy a historic nationwide charging network that will make EV charging accessible for more Americans.”

According to the Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center, Arizona currently has 873 public charging stations and ranks seventh in the nation for adoption with its 28,770 registered EVs. One of the people helping Arizonans drive electric is Jason Church, COO for Courtesy Automotive Group.

“We’ve been EV focused since the Chevy Volt first came out in 2011. We got behind that in a big way and sold a whole ton of those vehicles,” he says. “As our dealership group has grown from Courtesy Chevrolet to Courtesy Kia, Chrysler and Volvo, we’ve discovered that every manufacturer wants

TAKING CHARGE: Volvo has spun off a separate company to lead its foray into electric vehicle production called Polestar. to be EV-centric now.”

Volvo spun off a separate company to lead its foray into EV production called Polestar. As a Volvo dealer, Church had the opportunity to bring a Polestar retail location to Scottsdale Fashion Square, where folks can custom order a Polestar vehicle and have it delivered to their home. Other automotive companies such as General Motors, Volkswagen and Toyota have pledged to exclusively manufacture EVs in the coming years.

To that end, General Motors announced in February 2022 that it is hiring several hundred employees for software-based positions at its Arizona Information Technology Innovation Center in Chandler. The center’s work will, as the company states, “tackle solutions and services redefining GM’s products as the company moves toward an all-electric future.”

Church adds, “When major manufacturers start using their most powerful brands and associating them with EVs, it’s no longer an experiment,” he says. “Most automakers are committing to EVs and building factories to produce them.”

Arizona is poised to benefit greatly from the surge in EV demand and production. Indeed, the Grand Canyon State is already home to multiple EV manufacturers and continues to attract critical links in the supply chain. From Atlis’ electric trucks to Zero Electric Vehicles’ gasoline-to-EV conversion kits, the East Valley has become a regional hub for the automotive industry’s evolution.

EVs in the East Valley

Detroit casts a long shadow in the world of vehicle manufacturing. Nicknamed Motor City, Detroit was home to the first factory to produce the Ford Model T, which is credited with igniting the U.S. public’s love affair with automobiles and making them available to the masses. Nearly 120 years later, people like Bill Jabjiniak, director of economic development for the City of Mesa, are attempting to recreate a similar dynamic.

Jabjiniak explains that the area around the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is seeing a boom in EV industrial users. “There’s this feeling that this section of Ray Road is becoming a technology hub centered on electric vehicles, which is exactly what we want,” he says. “There’s also a tier-one supply base here, with engineering firms and suppliers that are coming too.”

One of the companies to choose to locate in the area is ElectraMeccanica, which broke ground on May 15, 2021. The $35 million facility will produce the company’s flagship EV, the SOLO — a single-seat, three wheeled car with a 100-mile range. Approximately 200 to 500 people will work at the factory once fully operational.

“A cluster is starting to form,” Jabjiniak notes. “Exro Technologies manufactures intelligent electric motor and battery control systems. They are located right next to ElectraMeccanica on Ray Road,” he says. “We also have a homegrown entity called Urbix Resources, which started in our incubator. They manufacture graphite products, which are used in advanced storage cell design to extend the life of a battery.”

Karla Moran, principal economic development analyst for SRP, adds, “We’re starting to make a name for ourselves in the EV world and we’re starting to see more companies gravitate to our region. Some of the recent locates focus on battery technology and battery recycling. We’re going to continue to see more of this trend over the next couple of years as more companies view Arizona as a viable option.”

This concentration of EV-related businesses produces positive ripple effects that strengthen the overall ecosystem, according to Julie Ibara, plant manager at ElectraMeccanica.

“It’s important for us to have suppliers that are committed to the area, whether it be for parts, services or equipment,” Ibara says. “If we’re going to spend millions of dollars on capital equipment to run the plant, it’s nice to know that other OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) in the area are using the same suppliers because that means there’s going to be a service base here. Should we have something that causes downtime on the production line, we should be able to recover a lot faster because we’re calling someone in from the Valley rather than Detroit.”

Intentional success

While there’s a “birds of a feather flock together” dynamic at play in Arizona’s growing stature as an EV powerhouse, it’s not the only reason that manufacturers have chosen the Valley. Speed to market and the availability of land are tantalizing

JASON CHURCH JULIE IBARA BILL JABJINIAK KARLA MORAN CATHERINE O’BRIEN

advantages, but Jabjiniak contends they are only part of the equation when a company is looking to locate in Mesa.

“The East Valley has very high educational attainment. In Mesa, about 38% of people have an associate degree or higher,” Jabjiniak notes. “If you think about the Phoenix-Mesa MSA (metropolitan statistical area) the labor force has increased by 19.33% over the last 10 years. That gives you 2.5 million workers within a drive time that is realistic. We’ve got the land, buildings, infrastructure and talent for all these companies.”

Ibara, who moved to Arizona to open the ElectraMecannica plant, adds that the Valley is an easy sell because the highways are efficient, schools are good, neighborhoods are safe and the weather is pleasant.

“I know that the state and local governments, along with the PHX East Valley Partnership, put this transportation plan into effect decades ago, projecting what was going to happen with not just automotive manufacturing, but manufacturing in general,” she says. “I hope their dreams are coming to fruition, because the planning is amazing.”

Even with the apparent benefits of locating in Arizona, the EV industry still faces bumps in the road. Ibara notes that having a workforce pipeline is vital for manufacturers. That’s why she wants to connect with high schools, technical colleges and universities to create internships for students.

“While we might put some people into assembly and building the car, anybody that has an affinity for vehicles and electronics — we’d love to have them. And you don’t necessarily need a college degree to get a job building cars,” she says.

Not only does a healthy EV ecosystem require workers to manufacture vehicles, but it needs technicians to service them. Church notes that all Courtesy Automotive Group’s technicians will be electrically certified, which he believes will put the company ahead of the curve.

“There’s an evolution in training where we need to service and repair internal combustion engines, but our team must also be well versed in managing the latest updates on batteries. And given the technology, manufacturers can do software updates over the air without taking the car in for service. People aren’t coming in for oil changes either, so the maintenance schedule is further out.

“The equipment you need at the shop was completely different as well,” Church continues. “When you pull a battery out of a car, there are these hydraulic lifts that go under it and bring the battery down. There’s quite a bit of training necessary to make sure the technicians are grounding the battery and being safe.”

Taking charge

One of the largest roadblocks for EV adoption is range anxiety, or a fear of not having enough charge to complete daily tasks like commuting or running errands. In a sprawling metropolitan area such as Greater Phoenix, this uneasiness is especially acute. The $76.5 million coming to Arizona from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will be a boon but not a panacea.

“That’s why we’re working with so many different partners in getting charging infrastructure in place,” explains Catherine O’Brien, EV lead at SRP. “What can we do as SRP to work with the cities and help them create EV ready building codes for homes and commercial space? How can we offset some of the costs of retrofitting a building with charging stations?”

Answering those questions is part of SRP’s goal to support 500,000 EVs in its service territory by 2035. For its part, the City of Mesa is currently developing an EV charging master plan that will address current and future needs, while taking stock of the existing charging infrastructure.

“That way we can prioritize infrastructure deployment in a rational and cost-effective way going forward. Then you start to think about our fleet of vehicles for the city and how those are changing. We’re getting our first electric firetruck, and that’s huge,” Jabjiniak says. “When you start to invest in that technology, you have to have the support to go with it. Charging stations are just part of that.”

Church concludes that the future of transportation will be electric. “It’s not a fringe thing anymore. Wall Street has gotten behind EVs. And some of that manufacturing is happening in Arizona because we’ve got the space, people and the economy. Just look at all the brands that are flocking to Arizona. There’s a huge opportunity for us to be the Electric Valley, and I think we’re well placed to achieve that objective.”

FLYING HIGH

With seven added nonstop routes and new arrivals like Gulfstream and Amazon setting up shop near the airport, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport has become a major economic driver for PHX East Valley

By ERIN THORBURN

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is flying high. In fact, November 2021 marked the busiest November on record for the travel hub, with 147,285 passengers making their way to various destinations. And, speaking of destinations, the steadily growing Gateway Airport offers nonstop service to upwards of 60 cities, including seven added routes courtesy of Allegiant Air (as of November 2021). And, while Arizona’s passengers reap the benefits of the airport’s convenient and expanded offerings, the local economy flourishes as well, with $1.8 billion in annual earnings. But, it’s not just the airport itself that is soaring to new heights; the surrounding region is rising in industrial development, retail options, office space and more.

History in the making

Before it was the bustling region it is now, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport was formerly Williams Air Force Base (AFB). In its 52 years in operation, the base played a pivotal role as the U.S. Army Air Corps’ top pilot training facility. It graduated more student pilots and instructors than any other base, with upwards of 26,500 service members earning their wings there. Now, decades later, the airport and region continue to make history as one of the PHX East Valley’s most prized economic development generators.

“It’s exciting to see just how much the area is going to continue to grow,” says Aric Bopp, executive director of economic development and innovation zones for Arizona State University (ASU). “As much activity has taken place in the PhoenixMesa Gateway region, I think we’re just scratching the surface.”

Bopp goes on to explain that in terms of development, the entire region isn’t even halfway there, “whether it’s at SkyBridge Arizona, the Northeast side of the airport, south of the airport along the Pecos Road corridor, or the campus that ASU controls as our poly innovation zone,” he says. “All of these projects are just incredibly exciting and still in early stages of development.”

Growth and development have always been a staple of Gateway Airport and the surrounding region. This includes an original Airport Master Plan and Updated Master Plan that were created to accommodate the needs of airport facilities and infrastructure, both in the coming years and decades. The facilitation and success of the Master Plan Update has been guided by Gateway Airport leadership and staff in partnership with financial assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority (PMGAA).

It’s partnerships and collaboration that continue to be the wind beneath the economic wings of progress for the Gateway Airport corridor.

“Everybody sees the benefit and value of coming together and working together,” Bopp says. “You have a wonderful development group consisting of developers and land owners that understand the big

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picture that are making a good return on investment, but are not being overly greedy in the process, seeing the impact it’s having on the community and the region.”

Bopp also credits education partners in the region such as the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT), ChandlerGilbert Community College (CGCC), ASU, and University of North Dakota (UND), as examples. Additionally, he points to district council member Kevin Thompson, “who is the biggest advocate and proponent of development, smart development and smart growth in the region,” according to Bopp. “Utility providers such as SRP, Union Pacific, the water team at Mesa, and the regional wastewater treatment facility that serves both Gilbert and Mesa,” have also been instrumental to the area’s growth and success, according to Bopp.

Economic development generator

According to the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Economic Benefit Study Executive Summary, revenues for the Gateway Airport are projected to reach up to $3 billion by 2027, with more than 26,500 in jobs generated.

As for the future outlook of the Gateway Airport, Ryan Smith, director of communications and government relations for Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority, says, “When it comes to transportation hubs, growth begets more growth. When you have pockets of economic activity, it tends to build upon itself. You see a rise in growth being next to an airport with two converging highway systems, along with a significant rise in population.”

And the local population is taking full advantage of the convenience and provisions Gateway Airport and the extended region offer.

“People have figured out that they can conveniently fly out of an airport that’s close, convenient, and with low-cost carriers that offer fares that are affordable,” Smith says.

But affordability and convenience are not all that locals recognize about the Gateway Airport’s significance to the Greater East Valley — and state. Its value as an economic driver is becoming increasingly more evident.

“I think it’s important for the general public to understand the value of strategic investments in our community,” Smith says. “There was a time in Mesa when Ray Road really didn’t exist and did not connect our roads all the way over to Ellsworth. The City of Mesa invested in that corridor, invested in some water and sewer infrastructure and built a new water treatment facility. They’ve made strategic investments in Southeast Mesa, and now we’re enjoying the benefits of some of those investments.”

And, going back to the notion that “growth begets more growth,” businesses from near and far are relocating to the Gateway Airport corridor to invest in current and future opportunities. Gulfstream, for example, announced in November 2021 that it would build its first facility in Arizona, taking residence in a 225,000 square-foot facility in Gateway.

“I think the announcement about Gulfstream relocating and opening up a service center here at Gateway Airport will be a huge catalyst for additional growth,” Smith says. “I think you’ll see suppliers and other supply chain businesses see the value of being located here.”

Alongside Gulfstream, Amazon, already with an existing and prominent presence in the PHX East Valley, is anticipated to take up residence near the Gateway Airport, adding several warehouse projects.

“We just recently announced Gateway East,” Smith says, “which will be nonaeronautical development on the east side of the airport. That will kick off hundreds of thousands of square feet of retail, office and industrial development. Again, creating jobs, creating economic opportunity, creating an economic benefit for the entire East Valley.”

Real estate development and investment firm CRG is developing The Cubes at Mesa Gateway, which when complete will comprise approximately 4 million square feet of speculative and build-to-suit space. The Cubes sits on a 268-acre piece of land that had been on the market for some time.

“As investments in the Southeast Valley continue to grow, people have larger appetites,” says Steve Larsen, managing director at JLL. “Almost 300 acres is a very big pill to swallow. But you’ve got groups that are buying into what is going on in the Southeast Valley, and CRG capitalized on that. We already have multiple users looking for upwards of 500,000 square feet with offers being traded. We have tremendous activity from Fortune 100 companies that are currently evaluating The Cubes. We think this is going to be the premier site for large box industrial in the region.”

Near The Cubes development, Ryan Companies is building Confluence at Mesa Gateway. Positioned on 35 acres, the development will feature six speculative industrial buildings ranging from 32,000 square feet to 176,000 square feet.

As for future announcements of new arrivals, we can anticipate hearing more as we soar through 2022 and beyond.

IN-DEMAND DESTINATION

East Valley tourism organizations, city leaders, and local businesses unite and collaborate in dynamic ways to help tourism sector recover and reignite

By ERIN THORBURN

In an article published by Money Inc., featuring “The 20 Greatest Business Comebacks Stories of All Time,” Apple, Marvel and General Motors were among notable companies on the list. Together, these businesses (and others) faced extreme financial hardship — some even falling into bankruptcy. Yet, despite their adversity, they made their way back, ending up stronger and more prosperous than before. As we speak, one of Arizona’s most valuable industries is making a comeback. With the collaborative and unifying efforts of PHX East Valley tourism groups and efforts like the Visit Arizona Initiative, Arizona’s tourism industry may also end up better, bigger and broader than it was before.

Everyone loves a good comeback story

They don’t refer to Metro Phoenix as the “Valley of the Sun (and fun)” for no reason. For a long time, Arizona has remained a top tourism destination because of all the sun and fun to be had. And there are numbers to prove it. Preceding the pandemic, in 2019, Arizona’s tourism sector experienced a record year. Overnight visitation totaled 46.8 million (up 2.8 % from 2018) and tax revenue earnings tapped out at $3.78 billion (up 4.2% from the prior year). And then ... COVID-19 reared its ugly head.

By 2020, visitation to the state plummeted 31% and visitor spending decreased by 41%.

For an industry that up until the pandemic had largely flourished, the economic blow was painful and widespread.

“We had a tough row during 9/11 and some hemorrhaging in the economy again during the Great Recession, but nothing like this,” says Marc J. Garcia, president and CEO of Visit Mesa, “where an entire industry was forced to shut down.”

As destabilizing as the pandemic was to Arizona tourism, Garcia and his East Valley colleagues didn’t let the bleak pandemic outlook staunch their creative thinking and approach.

“What I’m really proud about with our organization, in particular, is how quickly we responded to the needs of our partners,” Garcia says.

One notable campaign in Mesa was the “We’ve Turned Main Street Into a Mile Long Drive-Thru.”

“Every lunch hour and evening it was like a traffic jam down Main Street with people supporting local businesses,” Garcia says.

Mesa’s tourism neighbors in Tempe adopted a similar strategy, getting boots on the ground.

The City of Tempe Economic Development Office initiated a weekly strategy call that included the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Tempe Authority and the Tempe Tourism Office.

“This group — called ‘TEAM Tempe’ — met weekly to find ways to support local businesses, develop programs to create business opportunities, encourage local residents to spend locally and created a virtual job fair to help businesses find employees,” says Michael Martin, interim president and CEO for Tempe Tourism.

In addition to combining creative strategies and working collaboratively, many East Valley communities turned to Arizona’s natural resources to promote tourism during the pandemic — and continue to do so.

“Fountain Hills leveraged outdoor community assets and attractions such as recreational parks, hiking trails, and golf courses to continue attracting visitors in a safe manner,” says Eric Prochnow, economic development and tourism specialist for the Town of Fountain Hills.

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Coming back, starting closer to home

Amidst their proactive road to tourism recovery, Garcia and Martin — and many of their local tourism counterparts — realized their marketing strategy would have to take a necessary and urgent detour.

“Instead of marketing outside of Arizona, focusing on ‘heads in beds,’ this pandemic showed us we needed to get closer to our local partners, business and residents,” Garcia explains.

“We had to pivot our marketing efforts from our traditional target markets to local and regional drive markets,” Martin says. “While we have included these markets before, they became the primary focus.”

Despite variants of COVID making for an uncertain future, East Valley meeting and event planners and industry leaders remain hopeful. And they have a reason to be optimistic. According to research conducted by Destination Analysts in mid-January, an estimated 80% of American travelers have trips currently planned in 2022, with upwards of 70% planning to travel.

“Over time, the recovery has exceeded expectations. We are already experiencing strong indications that recovery is taking place,” Martin says. “In Tempe, that means an increase in the total number of rooms sold compared with the peak year of 2019. We are also seeing a strong recovery of our average daily rate.”

Visit Arizona Initiative: AKA the comeback kid

The collaborative efforts of Arizona’s tourism organizations continue to aid in the industry’s recuperation. And their efforts toward restoration have been further bolstered by the Visit Arizona Initiative. In October 2021, Gov. Doug Ducey and the Arizona Office tourism announced that 43 businesses and organizations statewide would receive upwards of $9.4 million in Visit Arizona Initiative Partnership grant funding. The relief funds are intended to relaunch or expand festivals, arts, culture, and community events across the state. Recipients of the initiative funding range from Visit Mesa and the Town of Fountain Hills to the Arizona Jewish Historical Society, Ballet Arizona and other tourismrelated entities.

“The Visit Arizona Initiative will prove to be a Godsend and go a long way to help our industry recover,” Garcia says.

“Funding from the Visit Arizona Initiative Partnership has been vital in reigniting Arizona’s tourism efforts throughout the state,” Prochnow adds. “These types of programs directly help Arizona’s tourism sector by bringing back events, attractions, and activities that people have missed throughout the pandemic.”

Examples of events and attractions aided by the Visit Arizona Initiative include the partnership of the Desert Botanical Garden and Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation’s Taliesin West, enabling the Chihuly in the Desert exhibit to be featured at both locations.

For tourism advocates, like Visit Chandler, the initiative helps “amplify tourism marketing efforts,” according to Kimberly Janes, tourism program manager for Visit Chandler. “This type of targeted investment has not only helped to revitalize the industry,” she says, “but it has also highlighted how important tourism is to growing Arizona’s economy.”

She’ll be coming ‘round the mountain (literally)

As the Visit Arizona Initiative funds go to work, and tourism organizations continue to apply creative and robust recovery measures, the tourism sector is coming around the corner. And, in addition to Arizona’s sun, fun and Sonoran mountain desert-scape, there is still plenty of Valley beyond the mountains, open for development.

Parts of the East Valley are booming in new development, with tourism opportunities abounding. Newer arrivals in Mesa include Bell Bank Park, the 320-acre sports and entertainment mecca; as well as Cannon Beach, the state’s first surf park. But, it’s not just new development that’s enticing people to travel to destinations in the East Valley. It’s also forward-thinking programs such as Mesa’s designation as the first-ever autism-certified city in the United States, as well as Visit Mesa’s Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, that provides and invites a more inclusive tourism perspective and experience.

And, where new development can’t occur on a larger logistic scale, as is the case for Tempe, they are turning to a different strategy.

“As a landlocked city, Tempe is adapting to becoming a more vertical community,” Martin says.

“This means smart redevelopment and thoughtful ways of thinking of land use. Currently, the Omni Tempe at ASU and the VIB Tempe hotels are under construction. ASU’s Novus corridor will be adding a new arena for ASU Hockey. And the innovative, car-free development called Culdesac Tempe is now under construction and will bring new amenities to Apache Boulevard.”

Arizona’s tourism comeback may take a while, but rest assured, if the East Valley has anything to say about it — they’re proactive and prepared to take whatever steps are necessary to continue to build on the industry’s momentum.

“Overall, I think the outlook is quite positive,” Janes says. “From everything I have been reading and monitoring, I anticipate that we will continue to see strong travel demand as people look to connect with family, friends and loved ones with short getaways to escape the day today.”

EAST VALLEY LEADERS LOOK AHEAD TO THE NEXT 40 YEARS

By ERIN THORBURN

What better time to envision the next 40 years for the East Valley than now? As the PHX East Valley Partnership celebrates four decades of rich, dynamic history, we turn to some of the region’s movers and shakers for their predictions of what’s ahead (as well as some of their personal favorite East Valley places, spaces and activities).

Queen Creek Mayor Gail Barney

LOOKING AHEAD: “In 40 years, Queen Creek will more than double in age! Incorporated in 1989, we will continue to see the thoughtful planning come to life through more roads, public safety infrastructure and parks and recreation amenities. Our northeastern tier will also be booming with the completion of State Route 24 bringing more jobs, dining and shopping — an extension of the hometown we all know and love.” EAST VALLEY FAVORITE: “My favorite East Valley activity is visiting our agritainment destinations. They offer unique experiences that embrace our agricultural heritage — something quite near to my heart as a farmer myself.”

Fountain Hills Mayor Ginny Dickey

LOOKING AHEAD: “Our extraordinary hometown qualities will endure: unmatched views; generous volunteers; fun activities; thriving businesses; healthy lifestyles and safe neighborhoods. Additionally, development of State Trust Land will offer residential options, parks and more. Plus, visitors will flock to the Dark Sky Discovery Center as our iconic Fountain reliably marks the top of each hour.” EAST VALLEY FAVORITE: “One of my favorite activities is walking. Whether in the McDowell Mountain Preserve, along the Overlook with panoramic views of Fountain Lake and Four Peaks, or on one of our urban trails, it is ever-changing and always enchanting.”

Maricopa County Supervisor Jack Sellers

LOOKING AHEAD: “Technology changes so rapidly that it’s hard to imagine life in 2062. Things that were fantasies in 1982, like making calls from my ‘Dick Tracy” watch, are now commonplace! We need to take advantage of technology. And we need to make a smart plan to deal with inevitable growth, so people are more productive, safe and secure.”

Tempe Mayor Corey Woods

LOOKING AHEAD: “Tempe’s affordable housing objectives are realized. Our City reaches and exceeds our Achieve65 education goal. Tempe expands our world-class transportation infrastructure. Our city’s environmental climate remains healthy, and we continue to be an innovative place for small, medium and large companies.” EAST VALLEY FAVORITE: “House of Tricks in Tempe.”

Apache Junction Mayor Chip Wilson

LOOKING AHEAD: “Apache Junction recently celebrated its 40th, so we’re in great company with the PHX EVP. We’ve grown from a small rural community into a burgeoning destination. In the next 40 years, we will welcome our first masterplanned community, add key regional transportation corridors and bring highquality employment opportunities to the home of the Superstition Mountains.”

EAST VALLEY FAVORITE: “There are few things that bring more joy than saddling up, riding our horses from our backyard into miles of incredible desert trails, and enjoying the beauty and majesty of the Superstitions. After appreciating the quietness, wildlife and clear skies, our must-stop eatery is Mickey D’s Cafe, a hometown favorite.”

Mesa Mayor John Giles

LOOKING AHEAD: “Right now, we’re laying the groundwork for the Mesa we will become in 40 years. By then, fiber will be installed to every home and business, we’ll be a carbon neutral city and we’ll continue to attract Fortune 500 companies with an educated workforce. All while being a safe and compassionate community.” EAST VALLEY FAVORITE: “Koreatown in Mesa’s Asian District has always been a favorite of the Giles family. Mesa’s Asian District is also home to dozens of Asian eateries, cafes, mega-grocery stores, retailers and more.”