In 1999, Newsweek magazine predicted that the greater Phoenix area would be the nation’s second-largest job growth engine between 1999 and 2025; both Glendale and Peoria have seen dramatic growth since then. Due to the high quality of life and the well-educated population, businesses look to Phoenix and its environs for expanding companies. In 1999 alone, 68,000 new jobs were created in the Metro Phoenix area. Population in 1999 grew by 53,000 as people moved into the Phoenix area.
Over the last decade or so, Glendale has been one of the nation’s fastest growing urban centers, and it is currently Arizona’s fourth largest city. Employment prospects continue to multiply as new development continues and existing businesses expand.
Careful strategic planning on behalf of the City has drawn new business to Glendale (including Bechtel Corporation, one of the world’s largest engineering and construction firms, who relocated here in 2000); smart downtown renovation now attracts visitors from around the world.
More than 100 new businesses have opened in the redeveloped downtown over the last 10-15 years, despite the nationwide depressed economy in the early part of this period. The Glendale Civic Center opened in December 1999 and consistently draws even more interest to the downtown area.
Glendale City has turned its attention to the western part of the municipality and recently revised its Western Area General Plan, the City’s official policy document for future land use and development. The new Agua Fria Freeway (Loop 101) feeds the area and draws development; the local Glendale Airpark site houses companies like Parker Hannifin, Conair, and K-B Toys.
A brand new, state-of-the-art hockey arena was completed in 2003, ensuring that the NHL Coyotes stayed in Glendale; the arena and surrounding development (three-million square feet of entertainment, retail, office, residential and other commercial facilities) has brought additional life and increased possibility to the local economy.
Western Glendale also includes the Luke Air Force Base, the largest fighter pilot training base in the world, and Glendale’s biggest employer. The base employs nearly 9,000 military and civilian personnel, and brings in around $2 billion to Arizona annually.
Glendale’s other top employers are the Arrowhead Towne Center, Thunderbird Samaritan Medical Center, Honeywell, and the City of Glendale.
Like Glendale, Peoria has been one of the fastest growing cities in the state over the last 10 years. The City of Peoria, the Peoria Economic Development Group, and the Peoria Chamber of Commerce have worked cooperatively to maximize the economic potential of the city. The City formed the Economic Development Department in 2002. Staff members help commercial and industrial interests to secure financing; they also give assistance with development reviews and planning and zoning.
Many types of businesses have been drawn to Peoria, including professional office projects, call centers, small and medium manufacturers, bio-technology, retail and specialty centers, and automotive sales operations. Anticipating further growth, the City has reserved a large area of land on its northern boundary to serve business needs.
Peoria’s design standards and regulations are stringent but friendly to business, and are designed to preserve the value of new and existing investments.
- NUMBER1EXPERT™ 
