THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JULY 11, 2021
27 BUSINESS
State Forty Eight CEO aims for a difference
The brand “represents a lifestyle, a sense of community and is an expres-
sion of pride,” and “is about redefining the status-quo and inspiring others to rise up and stand for something they believe in,” according to State Forty Eight’s website. Last year, State Forty Eight established the State Forty Eight Foundation with a mission “to enrich and strengthen Arizona through thoughtful partnerships, inspired community action, and investment in the changemakers of tomorrow,” it said. The nonprofit contributes to the wellbeing of Arizonans by organizing fundraising and events for community causes, conducting workshops and providing mentorship to educate and inspire Arizona youth. It also offers start-ups entrepreneurial education and access to resources by partnering with incubator organizations, Spangenberg said. “It’s very rewarding to help people follow their passion and make a difference
in the community,” Spangenberg said. While State Forty Eight was founded as a charitable apparel company, there was only so much it could do as a forprofit entity, Spangenberg said. So, the brand found different ways to expand a positive impact. In 2019, State Forty Eight launched an initiative called Community Impact, which was committed to empowering others to do good. In its first year, the company attracted over 250 volunteers and donated more than $21,000 to local charities. After witnessing incredible support for their Community Impact efforts – especially an event with United Food Bank where volunteers packed 4,800 emergency food bags, Spangenberg was inspired to do even more for the community and officially launched the State Forty Eight Foundation last year.
defined businesses. “Schrader Farms Business Park will attract new companies, high-paying jobs and enhance Chandler’s growing reputation as one of the best places to live in America,” the project’s developers told the commission. The developer said the site’s buildings were intentionally designed to invite the type of tenant that will not upset surrounding neighborhoods. Core5 estimates Schrader Farms will generate 1,500 new jobs and produce an economic footprint worth nearly $825 million. Positioned south of Tumbleweed Park, the business park would replace one of Chandler’s last large parcels of farmland that hasn’t already been turned into a strip mall or residential subdivision. Chandler has been approaching build-
out for the last few years and the Schrader Farms project pushes the city even closer to exhausting its supply of vacant land. As of 2019, about 11 percent of Chandler’s land had not yet been developed. For decades, Chandler’s south side was the site of numerous dairy, cotton and alfalfa farms. But the city’s economic base has since steered away from agriculture as more farmers sold their properties. A city survey a few years ago indicated that most of Chandler’s remaining farmers weren’t interested in preserving their land and likely to sell to developers. William Schrader and his sons had been farming on their land along Queen Creek Road for years and decided that now seemed like the right time to hand the property over to commercial builders. “Farming and city don’t mix anymore and
I think it’s time to have the opportunity to move on,” Schrader said in a promotional video for the project. “There’s no place to be farming now in the middle of a city.” During their consideration of the rezoning request, some planning commission members expressed concern that the project could disrupt or bother the community. “That’s the challenge of both commission and Council,” said Chairman Rick Heumann, “To make sure our last remaining land is best utilized because once it’s gone, it’s gone.” Chandler could be seeing more than 100 acres getting developed across the city for industrial or business purposes in the near future. At least two other projects are cur-
BY ASHLYN ROBINETTE Staff Writer
P
eople across the state have been showcasing Arizona pride with State Forty Eight tops, bottoms, accessories and more. Now, the 8-year-old Chandler company’s founders are aiming to show that they’re more than just apparel manufacturers with their newly launched State Forty Eight Foundation and upcoming Entrepreneur Speaker Series. “We’re so much more than just selling T-shirts and hats,” said State Forty Eight co-founder and CEO, Michael Spangenberg. “The foundation will prove that we stand by what we say and that we really want to make a difference in the community.” State Forty Eight was founded in 2013 by local entrepreneurs Spangenberg and brothers Stephen and Nicholas Polando to show their appreciation for Arizona.
State Forty Eight CEO and co-founder Michael Spangenberg said that by forming a foundation, the Chandler apparel company can expand its efforts to give back to the community. (Special to the Arizonan)
see FORTYEIGHT page 28
One of city’s last farms giving way to industry BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer
T
he Chandler Planning and Zoning Commission last week unanimously approved a rezoning that allows industrial development on one of the city’s last remaining farms – and one of the last large parcels of developable land. The commission okayed the rezoning of the 71-acre Schrader Farms property at Queen Creek and McQueen roads after the developer, Core5, assured the panel tenants renting the six proposed new buildings on the site would not be high-traffic, large-scale manufacturers. The Schrader Farms Business Park, named after a family that for decades maintained a hay farm, will consist of six buildings that will house a variety of un-
see FARMS page 28
