west valley
Volume 33 Issue 14 Goodyear, AZ
January 5, 2022
Business Briefcase BY LAUREN SERRATO
West Valley View Staff Writer
W
elcome 2022! The year is rife with new projects, restaurants and developments. A mechanical engineering company chose Goodyear for its first U.S. facility. Additionally, we will look at a new, free series of classes the city’s economic development team is offering to West Valley entrepreneurs and small-business owners. Lastly, we will answer a reader’s question about a development in Goodyear.
Meyer Burger chooses Goodyear
IN THE BIZ
Meyer Burger, a Switzerland-headquartered mechanical engineering company, is establishing a production site for high-performance solar modules in Goodyear. The investment, according to the company, is an important step in meeting its commitments to produce modules near end-customers, source material from regional suppliers, and improve overall sustainability by reducing transportation emissions and optimizing the carbon footprint of the company’s solar modules. “I am very pleased to welcome Meyer Burger to our community,” Goodyear Mayor Joe Pizzillo said. “The decision to make a large investment in our community shows Public Notices ............... page 3 © Copyright, 2022 West Valley View, Inc.
The city of Goodyear’s Small Business Startup School will begin on Saturday, Jan. 8. (Photo
courtesy of the city of Goodyear)
Goodyear is an excellent location for advanced manufacturing businesses. Our highly skilled workforce, modern infrastructure and low cost of doing business has created an environment where companies can thrive. This project will create hundreds of new jobs, and I thank Meyer Burger for its investment in our city.” The development will provide flexibility, ease of access and resilience for customers in the North American market, according to the company. “Meyer Burger is thrilled to be establishing roots in Arizona and expanding our footprint to the United States,” CEO Gunter Erfurt said. “Solar energy will be critical for achieving U.S. and global clean energy goals, and our proprietary heterojunction cell technology and patented SmartWire module technology enable us to produce products of the highest quality and performance (USPS 004-616) is published weekly
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in order to offer our customers economically competitive solar components.” The Arizona site selection follows the company’s announcement in September to establish its first manufacturing facility outside of Europe in the United States. Arizona was selected due to a diversified and talented workforce that can support the company’s production needs and proximity to customers, the company said. Initial annual production capacity for the facility will be 400 megawatts and will include capabilities to manufacture solar modules for residential, commercial and industrial rooftop, and utility-scale applications. Production is expected to open by the end of the year, creating an initial 250 manufacturing jobs and over 500 jobs at full 1.5 gigawatts capacity. Meyer
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Arizona Balloon Classic returns to Goodyear BY LAUREN SERRATO
West Valley View Staff Writer
T
he Arizona Balloon Classic will return to Goodyear from Friday, Jan. 28, to Sunday, Jan. 30. This 11th annual outdoor event attracts visitors from around the Valley, as it is one of the only shows of its kind in Arizona. Additional activities are held throughout the weekend for the whole family. “I know everybody’s heard of a hot air balloon, but not everyone has actually experienced a hot air balloon, either standing next to one or riding in one,” said Tim Matykiewicz, founder of the Arizona Balloon Classic. “Something that we have that nobody else has is hot air balloons. We are a really unique experience that you’ll never forget. We have hot air balloons that nobody else has. If you’ve never experienced one, standing next to one, talking to a pilot, this is going to be an unforgettable one for you.” The gates will open at the Goodyear Ballpark from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28; 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30. The 2022 festival is special for Matykiewicz, as he said last year’s event had a smaller crowd turnout and less hot air balloons due to the pandemic. “We’re excited to bring our balloons back. That’s of course the primary entertainment,” Matykiewicz said, adding that the balloons couldn’t even fly at last year’s event because of the weather. “We had fewer vendors, and we only had 15 balloons. This year we’re going back to our numbers. We’re going to have upward of 25 balloons. We’re shooting for 100 retail vendors. Our sponsors are really responding really well for 2022, and our volunteer numbers are somewhere around 225 volunteers.” Of all the activities the festival will feature, Matykiewicz said he’s excited for the Taste of the Classic, where guests can enjoy a variety of beer, wine, festival food favorites, and a live music stage. “This year’s vendor, they’re the food purveyor of all of NASCAR and state fairs, so we have some really cool food
The 11th annual Arizona Balloon Classic will land at Goodyear Ballpark from Friday, Jan. 28, to Sunday, Jan. 30. (Photo courtesy of Arizona Balloon Classic)
experiences coming out at the Taste of the Classic,” he said. “So, if you don’t see balloons, or if you haven’t seen anything else that weekend, you’re going to want to come out here and eat because it’s going to be a great experience.” Taste of the Classic is open to the public when gates to the festival are open. Matykiewicz said the Desert Winds Kite Festival has also been added to the weekend’s itinerary. “They’re promising to bring out these giant, massive kites that fly and float in the air, so we’re pretty excited about that,” he said. The daytime exhibit will feature kites larger than semitrucks, windsocks larger The Arizona Balloon Classic Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear Lineup of events 7:35 to 8:35 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, and Sunday, Jan. 30 Witness the Arizona dawn sky as the hot air balloons participate in Hare & Hound races from the grassy fields of the Goodyear Ballpark for a sight of mass and color. Spectators can walk on the field next to the balloons and experience the inflation and lift off. Desert Glow 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28 Hot-air Balloons, tethered and illuminated, glow in time to music. Other events 6 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29 Pilots Parade with a constant burn of purple, green, red and yellow flames from the balloons. A firework show and the Desert Glow will follow.
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than motorhomes, and a 50-foot mega fish kite that will be flying high in the sky on Saturday, Jan. 29, and Sunday, Jan. 30. There will also be candy canons, paper rocket making and launching, and parachute racing. Kites for all ages and abilities will be on hand for sale including single line, dual line sport kites and quad line stunt kites. “We just want to be able to provide a really, really great quality of life,” he said. “I think the community is really going to like and really fall in love with this event. And we just want everybody to come out and enjoy themselves. Be comfortable. You’re going to be safe and have a great time and just enjoy life.” Family Fun Zone 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28; 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29; and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30 An assortment of activities including hot air balloon rides and tethered rides, inflatable games, BMX stunt bike shows, Desert Winds Kite Festival, fireworks, live entertainment and sampling. Retail shopping and commercial exhibits will also be available for purchasing or browsing. Tickets for the Arizona Balloon Festival are on sale. Early bird pricing is available for one-day, adult general admission tickets. Tickets may be purchased online at abcfest.com for a limited-time price of $18 for adults. Ticket prices will increase after the first 250 tickets are sold. Children 12 and under, active-duty military, first responders and veterans are free. Seniors ages 55 and older are $12, and group ticket packages are $10 per adult. General parking is $5. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit abcfest.com.
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Goodyear offers free business classes
Burger has signed a lease as the first tenant of a recently constructed new building at market conditions. “We are thrilled Meyer Burger has chosen Goodyear for their first manufacturing facility in the U.S.,” Gov. Doug Ducey said. “The company’s new solar module manufacturing facility will further enhance Arizona’s standout reputation as a renewable energy leader. In thanking all the partners involved, I want to specifically recognize the crucial partnership of the late Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord, whose record of service will continue to have a positive impact on Goodyear for years to come.” Meyer Burger has begun hiring personnel to support installation of equipment and initial startup of the facility. The company intends to continue hiring through 2022 to train personnel and ramp production quickly. For more information, visit meyerburger.com.
Beginning Saturday, Jan. 8, the city of Goodyear will offer a series of free classes to West Valley residents through its InnovationHub @ GoodyearAZ. The Small Business Startup School is a series of free facilitated workshops for entrepreneurs and small-business owners. The workshop sessions are offered two times per year. The classes begin Jan. 8 and take place every other Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon in the Community Room adjacent to the Goodyear Branch Library. The city’s economic development team said the Startup School classes are presented in person and provide an excellent opportunity for budding entrepreneurs to interact with other small-business owners. Registration is requested and can be completed online at developgoodyearaz.com. Question: I live in Goodyear near Yuma Road and Sarival Avenue in Glenmont
Estates. There is a new building going up near our Fry’s Marketplace right between the AutoZone and Banner Urgent Care. Some have speculated that it is an Applebee’s, while others have heard that it is another auto repair shop. The building’s exterior walls are up on the foundation, but it is still hard to tell what it will be. Could you please check into it? I’m not seeing anything about it anywhere. Answer: According to Goodyear’s economic development team, Greulich’s Automotive is developing the 1-acre vacant parcel for a neighborhood auto service facility with 10 automotive service bays. The construction is happening in the Sarival Marketplace commercial development along Yuma Road.
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required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this notice or the claims will be forever barred. 4.NOTICE OF CLAIMS: Claims must be presented by delivering or mailing Personal Representative at Lorrie R Madrid C/O Lorraine Dunn 13513 W Pinchot Ave Avondale, AZ 85392 Dated: the 9th day of December, 2021 /s/ Lorrie R Madrid Lorrie R Madrid Published: West Valley View/Business, Dec 15, 22, 29, 2021 / 43344
accepting applications for the appointment of a Councilmember to fill the anticipated vacancy created by the potential resignation of a Councilmember that will be replacing Mayor Georgia Lord. The appointment term will expire December 31, 2022. The position will be up for election in the August 2, 2022 election. Interested citizens may pick up a Council Vacancy Application at City Hall 190 N. Litchfield Road, Goodyear, Arizona from Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or from the City website at HYPERLINK “http:// www.goodyearaz.gov” www. goodyearaz.gov. All forms and any accompanying documents must be returned to City Hall
Public Notice VACANCY ON GOODYEAR CITY COUNCIL The Mayor and Council of the City of Goodyear are now
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prior to the cutoff date of Monday, January 31, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. To qualify, interested persons must have been residents of the City of Goodyear for the past two years, at least 21 years of age, a qualified elector of the City and, if appointed, hold no other elected office, nor any incompatible public office. Published: West Valley View/ Business, Dec 22, 29, 2021 and Jan 5, 2022 / 43473
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