Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents Saint Holdings
By Mike Sunnucks | Rose Law Group Reporter
Pinal County has been awarded a $15 million economic development grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to upgrade infrastructure and roads at the Inland Port Arizona development.
The Nikola Motors is building a manufacturing plant for hydrogen-electric trucks at Inland Port Arizona in Coolidge.
Jackob Andersen, CEO of Scottsdale-based Saint Holdings which is developing the Inland Port, said getting the $15 million grant is a game-changer for Pinal County and was a three-year process.
Andersen said this was the third year the local, state and federal officials applied for the grant. “We learned every year how to improve our submittals,” he said.
Andersen said the grant is national validation of the economic development working being done in Pinal County. “This is a national recognition,” Andersen said.
He said the grant will draw national attention to the Inland Port and Pinal County that could attract more economic development.
U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Arizona, announced the award after putting in a personal request to DOT for the grant.
“Today’s funding announcement improves local infrastructure, ensures Arizona’s role as a global trade leader, and creates jobs across Pinal County. I’ll continue partnering with local leaders to grow Arizona’s economy and expand job and business opportunities,” said Sinema in a statement.
State, county and municipal officials also worked on obtaining the grant, Andersen said.
Andersen said grant money will be used to upgrades roads entering the Inland Port and the Nikola plant as well to improve State Route 87 near the development. There could also be improvements for railroad crossings and other infrastructure.
