Business Facilities, a national bi-monthly magazine, announced today their winners of the Economic Development Deal of the Year Awards for 2013. The awards go to the companies that showcased the best deal that impacts the local and state economy in which their facility is located.
The Gold Award, a.k.a. 1st place, went to Apple’s manufacturing facility in Mesa, Arizona. This facility, once a huge solar panel plant, is located near the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and is being transformed from its recession-plagued obscurity to a newly revamped $1.5 billion advanced manufacturing facility.
The tech giant was enticed to open a facility in the Valley by a collaborative effort between the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), DMB Associates, Salt River Project (SRP), Maricopa County and the City of Mesa.
The facility is a 1.2 million sq ft building located on 83 acres of prime real estate in the southeast Valley. Apple’s new addition to the Valley will bring approximately 700 new jobs with an average salary of $45,000 and 1,300 temporary construction jobs, which will have a direct economic impact of $1.33 billion over the next 10 years.
“Our Deal of the Year Gold Award winner is a game-changer for Apple and Arizona,” said Business Facilities Editor in Chief Jack Rogers. “Arizona’s team moved quickly to put together an attractive package that put the Mesa site front and center as Apple considered locations for its renewed commitment to U.S. manufacturing.” Rogers later added, “This deal puts Greater Phoenix on the map as a leading high-tech hub.”
Project Impact Estimates
- Direct economic impact of $1.33 billion over the next 10 years.
- 700 new jobs created directly, 278 indirect jobs, 262 induced jobs.
- $315 million in new wages directly created over 10 years.
Arizona leaders hope the Apple development in Mesa will draw other high-tech enterprises to the region in the near future.
For AZTB’s past coverage on Apple in the Valley click here
For AZTB’s past coverage on the Arizona economy click here
Photo courtesy of Inhabitat
This is NOT a picture of the Mesa facility. Why do you not state that in your piece?