By Victoria Harker | Chamber Business News
As Maricopa County’s population continues to grow at full tilt, cities in the region are facing different challenges to manage and capitalize on the influx.
Two communities on opposite sides of the county, Buckeye and Tempe, are having to take quite different approaches to economic development. Buckeye is only 5 percent built out with a massive 640 square miles within its boundaries. Landlocked Tempe is nearing built-out with 40 square miles.
“Tempe is mainly growing up and Buckeye is growing out with very different issues,” said Cheryl Lombard, president and CEO of Valley Partnership, the voice of the real estate community that hosted a virtual forum last Friday to hear from both mayors. Arizona Public Service sponsored the event.
