Casa Grande Dispatch
After years of waiting for something tangible at the site, western Pinal County residents had an opportunity to witness the groundbreaking Thursday morning for PhoenixMart. Hundreds came out to the location on the east side of town on Florence Boulevard for the ceremony to signify the beginning of construction for the wholesale sourcing center.
A nice event was provided, emceed by Casa Grande Mayor Bob Jackson. Former Labor Secretary Elaine Chao spoke, as did U.S. Reps. Ann Kirkpatrick and Paul Gosar and PhoenixMart President Jeremy Schoenfelder. An emphasis was placed on the fact that American businesses will be able to use the center to sell goods to the rest of the world, although PhoenixMart clearly will be international in the nature of its tenants. Jackson said the world, with a growing middle class, is hungry for U.S. goods. A number of local and state officials participated in the shoveling of dirt.
The work done by contractors at the site was mainly in preparation for the ceremony, although three permanent flagpoles were used to hoist American, Arizona and PhoenixMart banners. Marine Corps Junior ROTC members did the honors, and other high school students were involved as well.
PhoenixMart has been difficult for most of the public to understand and has met with some skepticism, but now people have something to see. It is a long way from being finished, but with a goal of completion in a year or so, more progress should be visible soon.
