Bitter’s Bold Leadership Propels the Industrial Triangle into a New Era

An action taken by the Maricopa City Council at their recent meeting has advanced the Industrial Triangle project, signaling a push for significant economic growth in the region.

City Manager Ben Bitter has been granted executive authority to “execute documents, agreements and applications” in the pursuit of grant funding for Redevco Solutions, a developer based in the Netherlands. This initiative involves a substantial $1.4 billion investment to construct the “SMARTRail” park on a sprawling 680-acre site along the Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway.

Quinn Konold, spokesperson for the city government, noted that large-scale projects like this typically seek out state or federal grants. “How many or when, we don’t know, but it’s typical for projects of this size that are going to have this level of economic impact to seek grants. They need a government entity to serve as their designee,” Konold added.

The council’s decision to empower Bitter with this authority streamlines the development process. It allows him to act independently, reducing potential bureaucratic delays. “Council usually only meets twice a month,” Konold explained. “To enhance efficiency and timeliness, council often authorizes the city manager to execute actions as an expectation of the role.”

Recent discussions about the Industrial Triangle’s potential have intensified, particularly after announcements from Chief Strategy Officer Rick Horst and Chief Economic Development Officer Christian Price regarding a call for bids made in July. They revealed that at least two companies are interested in establishing non-hazardous recycling facilities within the city, which could start operations as early as 2026.

The Industrial Triangle project represents a significant step forward for Maricopa, aiming to bolster economic development and attract new industries to the area.