| I am honored to step into the role of Interim Director for the Pinal County Economic and Workforce Development Department. With a deep commitment to Pinal County and its future, I am excited to embark on this journey alongside you—our dedicated stakeholders and community leaders. Along with our staff, I look forward to building upon this strong foundation and working collaboratively with our partners to drive continued success. As we look ahead, my vision for our department is centered on innovation, collaboration, and impact. We have a strong team here and we are dedicated to enhancing a data-driven approach to economic and workforce development, ensuring that our strategies align with the evolving needs of local businesses and job seekers. Strengthening employer engagement while leveraging the unique strengths of Pinal County, we will work together to create opportunities that empower our residents and fuel economic vitality. We are committed to reinforcing our partnerships with local businesses, building on our strong relationship with Central Arizona College and community organizations to develop a skilled workforce that meets the needs of Pinal County’s growing industries. By leveraging technology, strategic planning, and community-driven initiatives, we will continue to position Pinal County as a premier destination for business growth and career opportunities. I look forward to connecting with you in the coming months, hearing your insights, and working together to drive meaningful economic and workforce advancements. Your partnership is invaluable, and I am excited about what we can achieve together. Best wishes,Joel MillmanInterim Director, Economic and Workforce Development |
 On January 15th, Central Arizona College Superstition Mountain Campus in Apache Junction held a ribbon-cutting for its recent renovations and completion of the new Skilled Trades and Allied Health buildings. This $50 million investment enhances CAC’s efforts to be a premier nucleus for our future workforce. Focusing on the growth-based and industry needs of tomorrow, CAC will be introducing new workforce programs in HVAC, Plumbing, Commercial Electrical, Medical Assistant, Pharmacy, Radiology, and more, totaling 15 new workforce programs. Click below to view a video from the ribbon-cutting. To learn more about the CAC Superstition Mountain Campus and the courses on offer, please visit: https://centralaz.edu/locations/superstition-mountain-campus |
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| Exceptional Community Hospital is set to open in Eloy this summer, with construction expected to finish in April and a grand opening in July. This state-of-the-art facility will offer full-service emergency care for children and adults, including trauma, cardiology, and specialty services like EKGs, lumbar puncture, and central venous line insertions. Designed with patient comfort in mind, the hospital will feature single occupancy rooms, advanced diagnostic tools, and modern imaging technology. A proposed 3,800-square-foot surgical wing with six beds is also in the approval process, further enhancing healthcare options for the community. Exceptional Community Hospital is poised to play a key role in local healthcare and economic development. |   |
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| Florence Copper is making progress on its commercial copper production facility, building on its successful test facility that produced over one million pounds of copper using in-situ copper recovery (ISCR). By the end of 2024, construction was 56% complete, with the first copper cathode production expected by year-end. Around 290 personnel have logged approximately 450,000 hours on-site, advancing the only greenfield copper mine under construction in the U.S. The project includes expanding the wellfield with five drill rigs and developing the SX/EW plant, which will produce copper cathode sheets on-site. Once operational, Florence Copper will be the third-largest copper cathode producer in the U.S., enhancing domestic mineral security. |
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| Construction of LG Energy Solution’s battery manufacturing complex in Queen Creek is well underway, and is on track for production to begin in spring of 2026. This is the first advanced manufacturing project in the Town and will become the Town’s largest employer. Initial hiring has begun, and larger-scale hiring will commence in late 2025/early 2026. Interested in employment opportunities? Click here to learn more. |  |
| Nikola Motors Shutdown |
| On February 19, 2025, a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) was received in response to the planned shutdown of the Nikola Motors manufacturing facility in Coolidge. The WARN Act requires companies planning a mass layoff to notify workers 60 days before the closure. This shutdown will result in the permanent mass layoff of 315 employees effective April 21, 2025. An additional 540 employees are impacted at Nikola’s facility in Phoenix. The ARIZONA@WORK Pinal County team is uniquely positioned to respond to such events by coordinating and providing re-employment services for the impacted employees. Our team, led by Moriah Robles, is coordinating with the City of Phoenix, Maricopa County, and the Arizona Tribal Network to plan a series of events that will provide access to career readiness workshops, training, and connection to current employers who are seeking to hire individuals with their skillset.  Welcoming a New Team MemberKaeden Peterson has joined the Pinal County Economic and Workforce Development and ARIZONA@WORK Pinal County. In his new role, Kaeden will be responsible for coordinating business outreach with the ARIZONA@WORK Pinal County business service team and integrating these services within the Economic and Workforce Development Department’s business attraction, retention, and expansion efforts. Kaeden is a former human resources professional, passionate about leadership development, employee engagement, and building strong workplace cultures. Prior to Pinal County, he was the Senior Recruiter at Flare, where he helped drive organizational growth through strategic human resources, recruiting, and business initiatives. He played a key role in building LiveView Technologies, specializing in talent acquisition, training, and performance management. Originally from Utah, Kaeden has set roots in San Tan Valley, Arizona. Outside work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, embracing the community, and exploring the outdoors. |
| Explore Pinal to Host Fam Tours for 3rd Annual Accent West Conference Explore Pinal is set to host familiarization (Fam) tours as part of the 3rd Annual Accent West conference, taking place April 24-26, 2025. This premier event is designed to connect tour operators with regional destinations, hotels, attractions, and restaurants, showcasing the unique experiences Pinal County has to offer. Conference attendees will embark on a curated journey through some of the region’s most remarkable sites. The tour begins at Biosphere 2 in Oracle, the world’s largest controlled environment dedicated to studying the impacts of climate change. Next, guests will visit the Triangle L Art Ranch, a non-profit featuring a Sculpture Park, Adobe Barn Gallery, Gift Shop, and History Museum, all designed to inspire a deeper connection to art, nature, and history. The group will then enjoy a lunch and tasting at The Windmill Winery in Florence, followed by a guided tour of Historic Downtown Florence, rich in Old West heritage and architecture. The experience will conclude at the enchanting Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical garden, featuring the breathtaking 13-acre Wallace Desert Garden. This exciting tour will offer attendees an unforgettable glimpse into the natural beauty, cultural heritage, and hospitality that make Pinal County a must-visit destination. |
| ABC15 Sonoran Living to Feature Pinal County Explore Pinal County has sponsored a 14-segment series with ABC15’s Sonoran Living show. The segments highlight upcoming events and top attractions within our County. With 12 episodes broadcast to date, recent features include the Gold Canyon Resort, Peralta Regional Park, and the Renaissance Festival, which wraps up for 2025 this coming weekend. Click here to view the playlist of videos so far. |
| Pinal County Celebrates 150 Years with Historic Sesquicentennial Event Pinal County commemorated its 150th anniversary on February 1, 2025, with a celebration at the historic 1891 Courthouse in Florence. The event featured guest speakers, including members of the Board of Supervisors, and was attended by community members and dignitaries. Click the video (right) to view highlights from the event. To honor this milestone, Pinal County partnered with State Forty-Eight to offer special 150th Anniversary shirts (pictured right), available for public pre-order. These are expected to go on sale again in June. For more information about Pinal County’s history and the sesquicentennial celebrations, visit the official anniversary page: pinal.gov/150years |  |
 | Join Us for the Inaugural Tri-City Business Expo! Mark your calendars for April 17, 2025! The Eloy, Coolidge, and Florence Chambers of Commerce are thrilled to present the first-ever Tri-City Business Expo—a landmark event uniting over 150 businesses from our communities to promote tourism and commerce. This exciting expo offers a unique opportunity to discover a wide variety of businesses, engage with local entrepreneurs, and enjoy live demonstrations from participating members. It’s more than just an expo; it’s a celebration of our region’s vibrant business community and a chance to support local economic growth. Don’t miss this historic event – come be a part of the Tri-City Business Expo! Click here to learn more. |
