(Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents The Wolf Company and Vestar.)
Welcome to the January 2026 Pinal County Economic & Workforce Development Update!
By Pinal County
First of all, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year! It is hard to believe that time goes by so quickly and that 2025 is in the books. Collectively, however, in what seemed the blink of an eye, Pinal County as a whole, and communities individually, accomplished a lot! It’s a rare and special moment when a new town is born – Congratulations on the arrival of the Town of San Tan Valley!
This edition combines our 2025 third and fourth quarter updates into one wrap-up. From long-planned projects reaching key milestones, to new business activity and community investments taking shape, 2025 reinforced what we already know: Pinal County is building a strong, diverse economic future—community by community.
From our award-winning ARIZONA@WORK Pinal County Rapid Response Team, to our very own Michelle Carpenter earning her “AZ Pro” designation issued by the Arizona Association for Economic Development, the Economic and Workforce Development Department has been recognized for the tremendous work provided by staff – and I want to extend a special “Thank you!” to them.
Thank you to our community leaders, educators, employer partners, and regional collaborators who worked alongside us throughout the year. Your willingness to share information, align efforts, and co-solve challenges is what positions Pinal County for long-term success.
Our communities continue to demonstrate that Pinal County is the place to be. According to the Arizona Capitol Times (December 11, 2025), Arizona as a whole added almost 100,000 residents in the year ending July 1, 2025. This represented an annual growth rate of 1.3% for the state.
By contrast, the following was reported for Pinal County communities – Apache Junction showed an 8.0% annual increase in new residents, with Queen Creek (7.7%) and Maricopa (6.7%) not far behind. Some other Pinal County communities also beat the state’s growth rate, including Coolidge at 5.7%, Casa Grande at 5.3%, Florence up nearly 3.7% and Eloy growing by 2.8%. Next year, our newest town, San Tan Valley, will be included in these figures – only adding to our state-leading growth and placing Pinal County at the forefront of Arizona’s collective economic engine!
Needless to say, from both an economic and workforce development perspective, we will all have our work cut out for ourselves to keep pace with this tremendous growth. Please take a moment to read this newsletter and see what exciting things happened in 2025 and a touch of what is in store for 2026.
Best wishes,
Joel Millman
Director, Economic and Workforce Development
Economic Development
SEMICON West
From October 7-9, 2025, Arizona hosted SEMICON West at the Phoenix Convention Center. This marked the first time the event alternated to Arizona as a major semiconductor hub, The Arizona Commerce Authority partnered with local entities (GPEC, Visit Phoenix) to host the largest U.S. semiconductor expo in decades, highlighting Arizona’s role as a global tech powerhouse. Pinal County was well represented by its communities, making new connections and building on our key role in the semiconductor supply chain. The event broke records with a 60% surge in registrations and nearly 50% more exhibitors.
The Battery Show
The Battery Show & EV Tech Expo 2025 energized Detroit with four days of innovation, discovery, and industry collaboration, marking 15 years of growth and progress. Thousands of engineers, executives, and innovators gathered to explore the latest advancements from 1,300+ exhibitors shaping the future of electrification. Michelle Carpenter is pictured with other Arizona colleagues at the show in Detroit.
Arizona Tech Week (April 6–12, 2026)
Pinal County is excited to participate in Arizona Tech Week (April 6–12, 2026) – the state’s first decentralized technology conference bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs, educators, investors, and community leaders from across Arizona. Throughout the week, events will be hosted statewide to highlight how technology and creativity are shaping the future of business, workforce development, and tourism.
As part of this effort, Pinal County will launch a series of Tourism & Tech Tours designed to showcase how innovation is driving new opportunities within our communities. Visitors will gain a firsthand look at the dynamic industries growing here—including agritech, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, smart logistics, and other tech-enabled sectors that are shaping Pinal County’s economic future. Pinal County will also host a signature Tech Week event, featuring rapid-fire presentations, industry spotlights, and networking opportunities.
Tech Week provides a powerful platform to elevate Pinal County’s profile to statewide and national audiences—showcasing our readiness for technology investment, business expansion, and innovation-centered development. Cities and towns are encouraged to participate by hosting site visits, demonstrations, or networking events, and by promoting Tech Week through local tourism, business, and media channels. Together, we can spotlight Pinal County as a place where innovation, collaboration, and opportunity thrive.
Local Development Highlights
On December 10th, The Wolff Company held a groundbreaking ceremony commemorating the beginning of construction on Halogen Apache Trail, a new multifamily community in the heart of downtown AJ. Halogen’s $80 million investment will provide 14 three-story buildings featuring 336 market-rate units. The new residential community supports Apache Junction’s broader goals of revitalizing the local economy, encouraging mixed-use development, and creating a more vibrant and connected city core. The addition of new residents is expected to generate substantial economic activity and broaden the city’s tax base. Learn More
Casa Grande continues to solidify its role in Arizona’s high-tech manufacturing ecosystem with the groundbreaking of KPPC Advanced Chemicals’ U.S. Arizona Plant (UAP). Representing an initial $120 million investment, the next-generation ultrapure chemical manufacturing campus is located in the Sonoran Valley Industrial Park and will support the rapidly expanding U.S. semiconductor supply chain. Phase 1 is expected to create approximately 80 highly skilled jobs, growing to 200 full-time positions as the campus expands. Production is anticipated to begin in late 2027, with total investment projected to reach $500 million by 2035. Learn More
Eloy continues to strengthen its position as a key travel and commerce hub with the recent grand opening of the new Love’s Travel Stop at the Toltec Road Exit 203, held on December 18. The project represents a major investment in Eloy’s growing commercial corridor and has created approximately 115 new jobs, providing a boost to the local workforce and economy. Strategically located along I 10, the new Love’s Travel Stop enhances services for the thousands of drivers who pass through the region each day and reinforces Eloy’s role as a vital location for commerce, logistics, and travel in Pinal County.
Ascent Aviation Services recently celebrated the grand opening of two new wide-body aircraft maintenance hangars at its facility at Pinal Airpark, marking a major milestone for the region’s aviation and aerospace sector. The two 90,000-square-foot hangars represent a $70 million investment and increase the facility’s maintenance capacity by more than 200 percent, enabling Ascent to expand its passenger-to-freighter conversion. The project is expected to create more than 300 high-wage aviation jobs. Click the video above to learn more.
Queen Creek is celebrating the opening of Target at Vineyard Towne Center, located at Ironwood & Combs, marking a major milestone in the community’s ongoing commercial growth. Target joins Sprouts Farmers Market as one of the primary anchors of the center, creating a strong retail mix that brings both convenience and high-quality grocery options to local residents. With Target, Sprouts, and additional tenants preparing to open, Vineyard Towne Center is quickly becoming one of Queen Creek’s most active and in-demand destinations.
Visit Economic Development Website
Workforce Development
Momentum Builds Across Workforce Initiatives
2025 was filled with collaboration, progress, and momentum for our team. From regional strategy sessions to impactful hiring events, this quarter reinforced a central truth: when workforce, education, and industry come together with shared purpose, opportunity follows.
The Regional Workforce Board Summit brought together leaders from the City of Phoenix, Maricopa County, and Pinal County Workforce Development Boards at Central Arizona College’s Superstition Mountain Campus in Apache Junction. The summit provided an invaluable opportunity to align strategies, share best practices, and shape a collective vision for Arizona’s workforce future. The conversations were forward-focused and centered on innovation, connection, and collaboration.
Our team also strengthened partnerships through participation in the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce’s Business & Education Summit and the Pinal County Business, Education, and Workforce Summit. These events highlighted the unified efforts of business, education, and community leaders all working together to prepare the next generation of talent.
Turning Events into Impact
The last half of the year was defined by high-energy hiring events that delivered measurable results. Through strong partnerships and the coordinated efforts of the ARIZONA@WORK Pinal County system, these events became powerful examples of what can be achieved when workforce, business, and community come together with purpose. The WinCo Foods in San Tan Valley hosted a hiring event that drew an incredible 4,000 job seekers over two days, resulting in more than 200 hires, including over 150 Pinal County residents. The turnout and outcomes reflected true community readiness and the strength of our regional partnerships.
In Florence, we joined Florence Copper and the Anthem Merrill Ranch HOA for a community Job Fair that exceeded expectations. Job seekers began lining up before the event even opened, and all 15 employers remained engaged throughout. It was a clear example of how collaboration, preparation, and teamwork create opportunity.
We also hosted a targeted hiring event in Casa Grande featuring Balance Staffing (Lucid Motors), CoreCivic, and iFoam. Of the 88 job seekers who attended, 64 completed interviews and 40 advanced to employment or final hiring stages. Nearly three-quarters of attendees interviewed on-site, and more than 60% are now on a pathway to work. One employer shared, “This event was great! Please let me know when you schedule the next one.”
Ribbon Cut on Resource Center at Apache Junction Library to Support Job Seekers
On Monday, November 3rd, ARIZONA@WORK, along with the Apache Junction Library, held a ribbon-cutting event for a new resource center for job seekers, located within the library. The center will offer no-cost employment services with staff on hand three days per week, including job search and resume assistance, and access to computers and printing facilities.
Click on the video (right) to view more from the event.
Recognizing Workforce as Economic Development
At the Arizona Association for Economic Development Fall Forum, Pinal County received the Golden Prospector Award for Economic Development Program, honoring our regional Rapid Response partnership during the Nikola shutdown earlier this year. The recognition affirms what we know to be true: Workforce Development is Economic Development, and collaboration is the key to success.
Our team also proudly represented Pinal County at SemiCon West, engaging with global innovators in manufacturing and technology and ensuring our region remains visible on the national stage.
Looking Forward
As we reflect on 2025 and look forward to 2026, our team remains focused on partnerships that last, programs that deliver, and opportunities that change lives. The collaboration and outcomes seen across the year reflect the very best of workforce development: strategic, inclusive, and connected to the people it serves. Together, we are not just preparing Pinal County’s workforce for the future. We are helping to build it.
Visit ARIZONA@WORK Pinal County
Explore Pinal
Pinal County Celebrates 150 Years!
On Saturday, October 4, 2025, Pinal County proudly hosted a Birthday Bash in Florence to commemorate its 150th anniversary – a milestone honoring our rich history, diverse culture, and vibrant communities. The celebration, held at the Florence Multipurpose Field, welcomed thousands of residents and visitors from across the region for an unforgettable evening of entertainment, connection, and county pride.
FILM Pinal County
Pinal County is expanding its reach in the film and media industry through FILM Pinal County, a collaborative initiative aimed at showcasing our diverse landscapes, historic sites, and communities as premier filming destinations. The County is developing a Film Welcome Packet and a Location Database & Crew Directory in partnership with ReelScout to make it easier for production companies to discover local talent and sites. Arizona’s Film Tax Incentive is currently active and legally affirmed. In a recent ruling, Judge Adele Ponce rejected the Goldwater Institute’s challenge, finding that the program does not violate Arizona’s Gift Clause. This decision significantly strengthens the stability and credibility of the incentive, which offers refundable tax credits to qualifying film and television productions that spend and hire in Arizona. While an appeal remains possible, the ruling removes the most immediate legal uncertainty surrounding the program. As a result, Arizona is better positioned to attract productions, support workforce growth, and encourage long-term investment in the state’s film and creative economy.
American Film Market
Pinal County recently participated in the American Film Market (AFM) in Los Angeles, one of the world’s largest gatherings of film, television, and content industry professionals. With our own booth, Film Pinal County showcased the county’s diverse and visually striking locations, sparking strong interest from filmmakers, producers, writers, and distributors looking for fresh places to tell their stories.
Throughout the week, multiple industry professionals stopped by specifically because of the imagery and location diversity, leading to meaningful conversations about projects that could be filmed in Pinal County. As a result, we identified several promising leads, including one project that is actually set in Pinal County. Follow-up conversations are already underway.
2025–2026 Tourism Sponsorship Program
The 2025–2026 Tourism Sponsorship Program is now open, supporting events and initiatives that attract visitors and celebrate what makes each Pinal County community unique. Eligible applicants include municipalities, nonprofits, and event organizers hosting festivals, cultural celebrations, sporting events, and more. These sponsored events not only draw tourists but also boost local businesses, generate media attention, and strengthen community pride.
Get Involved – Promote Your Local Events!
Tourism in Pinal County grows stronger when we work together. Help showcase your community by submitting upcoming events to the Explore Pinal Tourism Calendar, and tag @ExplorePinalCounty in your social media posts to expand your reach. Local governments, chambers, and businesses are also encouraged to connect with the Tourism Advisory Board to explore ways to participate in upcoming promotions and initiatives. Together, we can spotlight the events, attractions, and experiences that make every corner of Pinal County a great place to visit—and to call home.
