By Garrett Mitchell | The Republic
Growing populations are attracting commercial business in West Valley cities in the aftermath of the Great Recession and for many, retail occupancy rates have recovered or are above pre-recession levels.
Since 2011, Surprise has seen a 6.2 percent increase in retail business occupancy, from 86.9 percent in 2011 to 93.1 percent in 2015, according to the city.
Nearly 360,000 square feet of new retail space has also been added to the city.
That upward trend also is seen in other West Valley cities, including Glendale and Avondale.
