FY 2024 Annual Report

Welcome to Mesa, Arizona, where every day is an opportunity to move Mesa forward and shape the future!

I’m Jaye O’Donnell, Director of Economic Development, and I am thrilled to take you on a journey through our city’s incredible success during the past year.

Mesa burns bright, and it’s more than just our 300 days a year of sunshine! We’re talking record-breaking growth across so many sectors—from jaw-dropping new builds to exciting companies landing and expanding here.

Numbers don’t lie! Our economy is booming!

In this fiscal year, we assisted in attracting, retaining and expanding 66 projects, which will create…
More than 2,600 jobs with an average annual salary of $61,300!
These projects will occupy more than 7.1 million square feet of space and will create more than $5 billion of capital investment.

Here at the Office of Economic Development, we’re not just watching from the sidelines. We’re in the game, making a difference every single day.

How do we do it? Innovative programs like our small business assistance programs, serving hundreds of businesses annually. We’ve had our best year yet with the opening of Mesa Business Builder at the Studios in Downtown Mesa! Workforce development expanded the JobConnect Mesa website to make it easier for employers to connect with job seekers! We also launched our new Retail Attraction Strategy to recruit quality amenities to Mesa. And our continued business retention and expansion program ensures existing businesses here are healthy and thriving.

With the vision of our elected leaders and support from our community partners, Mesa is truly on the rise. Together, we’re paving the way for a brighter future.

Please take a moment to celebrate with us! Our achievements, our efforts to advance business and grow quality jobs—everything that makes Mesa the place to be.

Mesa by the Numbers

POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPGICS

Mesa continues to grow in population and workforce while remaining one of the most affordable cities in the Phoenix metro.

PERMITS ISSUED

PHOENIX-MESA GATEWAY AIRPORT

The Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, located in East Mesa, is Mesa’s largest and busiest airport. Serving more than 60 destinations across the country and internationally, the airport sees millions of commercial passengers pass through its doors every year. This year, the airport opened up a new concourse for passengers with new gates, more retail options, and outdoor spaces for passengers to relax!

What We Accomplished

The City of Mesa Office of Economic Development generated a banner year. We exceeded our performance metrics in key categories related to creating jobs and attracting development that injects new investment into our economy.

LOCATED AND EXPANSION HIGHLIGHTS

MARKETING & COMMUNICATION HIGHLIGHTS

Top Headlines

U.S. direct air capture company CarbonCapture Inc. secures lease for world’s first DAC manufacturing facility – Yahoo Finance
A growing hub of Japanese-American Innovation – Japan Times
Montreal’s XNRGY breaks ground on $300M U.S. headquarters in Mesa Arizona – Hoodline
Pentagon Technologies to invest $50M in Mesa, AZ facility – Business Facilities Magazine
Google breaks ground on Mesa data center campus in Arizona – Data Center Dynamics
Nippon Express U.S.A. opens Mesa logistics center, dedicated semiconductor warehouse in Mesa, Arizona – Finanzen
Super Radiator Coils starts work on Mesa facility to support growth in western region – Phoenix Business Journal
Amphenol opening solar product plant in Arizona – Control Global

Awards & Accolades

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

ARIZONA ASSOCIATION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

ENGAGING LEADERS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Mesa’s Momentum & New Launches

MESA BUSINESS BUILDER – SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Mesa Business Builder (MBB) Small Business Assistance Program has grown to serve more than 360 businesses, including 165 in FY24 alone. In total, during FY24, the 165 businesses accepted into the program received 4,691 hours of one-on-one assistance valued at $349,328. The Mesa HUUB digital platform saw its user base grow to more than 870 businesses, 55% of which are woman-owned and 43% of which are Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC).

Partners include local organizations who deliver consulting and services, including the Mesa Chamber of Commerce, HUUB, Prestamos, Local First Arizona, the East Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Mesa Community College, who offer professional services and education to help Mesa’s small businesses grow. This year, MBB added courses in 17 college certifications and served 24 students from 21 businesses enrolled in 145 credit hours.

The small business assistance program offers free resources, information, and technology to support Mesa’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. Through innovation and creativity, the program continues to grow, promoting the success of local companies and creating wealth for the future.

MESA BUSINESS BUILDER @ THE STUDIOS

In May 2024, the City of Mesa unveiled Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios in Downtown Mesa to much fanfare as the ultimate playground for innovators! The Studios is a dynamic entrepreneurial hub for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and creatives. The state-of-the-art facility with reservable event spaces and collaborative work areas includes a computer lab, podcast and AR/VR studio, digital development zones for gaming and app development, plus access to standard business equipment. Since opening, The Studios has hosted 25 trainings, events, and workshops attracting more than 500 visitors.

The Studios offers a professional and inspiring environment. By supporting local businesses and encouraging community collaboration, The Studios reflects the City of Mesa’s commitment to inclusivity and economic development, playing a pivotal role in enhancing Mesa’s vibrant and diverse economy.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT & JOB CONNECT MESA

In FY24, Mesa OED, in collaboration with Pipeline AZ, launched a new and improved Job Connect Mesa, an online platform designed to revolutionize how employers and jobseekers connect. The platform streamlines the job search process and provides valuable resources for career exploration and development.

The platform serves as a hyper-local, centralized hub where local businesses can connect with

a diverse pool of talent. It offers employers a simple and efficient way to post job openings, internships, and apprenticeships, allowing them to reach qualified candidates quickly and effectively. Additionally, the portal provides jobseekers a user-friendly interface to explore various career pathways based on their interests and skills. People will find access to training programs and work-based experiences to help individuals prepare for in-demand jobs in Mesa and beyond.

RETAIL ATTRACTION STRATEGY

This year, OED launched a new initiative to recruit quality amenities for Mesa residents and businesses to enjoy. The Mesa Retail Attraction Strategy produced a comprehensive demographic analysis of key employment districts, stakeholder engagement with more than 25 retailers, developers, and brokers, and an in-depth review of current processes and perceptions of Mesa. National consulting firm, The Retail Coach, developed recommendations for FY25 and beyond, with the goal of bringing high-quality retailers, entertainment, and hospitality to all parts of the City. Mesa OED has generated several leads already and looks forward to announcements in FY25.

CITY OF MESA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD

CITY OF MESA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STAFF

We’re here to help businesses grow – with purpose and partnership.