Majority Back Industrial Park Development, But Opposition Remains Significant

During a Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting on June 13, 2024, Christian Price, the chief economic development officer for the City of Maricopa, detailed the city’s economic development plans. Highlighted during the meeting was the future industrial park, dubbed the “Industrial Triangle,” located at the southeast corner of White and Parker Road and Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway.

A new poll reveals that a significant majority of Maricopans support the industrial park project. Of the 633 local residents surveyed, approximately 57% expressed their approval for the development. This support is partially attributed to the anticipated job creation and potential to reduce traffic congestion on State Route 347.

Homestead resident Debbie Burt-Rowan, age 66, is one such supporter. Living on Novak Lane, which borders White and Parker Road, she emphasized the benefits of local employment opportunities. “I think if people could work here and live here, it would alleviate a lot of the traffic on the 347 and make us a destination,” she stated.

However, dissenting voices remain. Nearly one-third of the poll respondents were against the industrial park. Concerns were raised about potential pollution and doubts regarding the volume of job creation. Additionally, some citizens believe that the city should prioritize infrastructure improvements before embarking on new projects.

Key municipal figures, Chief Strategy Officer Rick Horst and Chief Economic Development Officer Christian Price, have already announced interest from two companies aiming to operate within the Industrial Triangle. Cleveland-based Envision Waste Services plans to invest $64 million into a mixed waste processing facility, focusing on material recovery for new products.

On a larger scale, San Diego-based Prescott Composites has proposed a $1.8 billion investment to develop a waste-to-energy plant. This facility would also produce graphite and graphene materials for battery components. Price projected that job opportunities from these ventures could exceed 2,600 by 2029.

The future of the industrial park depends on the outcome of Proposition 482. This ballot measure, set for a special election on Tuesday, would authorize the city to sell 728 acres of city-owned property, including the 680 acres designated for the industrial park.