Residents of Maricopa are bracing for an economic boom as city officials lay the groundwork for a major industrial development that could bring thousands of jobs to the area. The City Council, after hearing from Rick Horst, the Chief Economic Strategy Officer, has given the green light to purchase 308 acres of land set to transform into an industrial corridor and a possible SMARTRail Park, as reported by the City of Maricopa.
In a presentation that turned heads Tuesday night, Horst disclosed the city's ambition to compete with larger metropolitan areas by developing an industrial hub that leverages the existing rail lines along the Maricopa - Casa Grande Highway. "It has been said many times that we’re not here to grow the prosperity of the city corporate, but the prosperity of its people," Horst told, as per the City of Maricopa. Bolstered by the strategic location and the acquisition of this new land, the city's industrial potential is pegged to skyrocket, comprising millions of square feet of prime industrial real estate.
The unanimous decision by the City Council increases the city's land reserves for development to 608 acres, with an additional 840 acres waiting in the wings for future consideration by developers, or potentially the city. With a plan in place to release an Invitation for Bids (IFB) by mid-April, Maricopa is inching closer to reshaping its economic landscape. “The jobs generated by the industrial hub we are working towards will not only invigorate our local economy but also serve as a lifeline for our residents, ensuring that they can work and thrive right here in Maricopa,” Mayor Nancy Smith was quoted as enthusiastic during the event, a sentiment echoed in the full presentation, which is available for viewing on the city's official website.
