January 2022

THE QUICK JAB
Bill Jabjiniak, Economic Development Director

What will Mesa’s economic activity look like in 2022?
Hint . . . think BIG!

Mesa had a phenomenal 2021 with large locates and expansions like Facebook, Amazon, Gulfstream, ElectraMeccanica, Dexcom, CMC Steel, NTT, Exro Technologies, Comarch, Bonelli Windows (Pella), and others. Mesa’s role as a key location for companies in aerospace, defense, electric vehicles, data management, and advanced manufacturing industries has been an important driver in this success. Additionally, city leadership maintains a strong focus on infrastructure investments and quality industrial and commercial development.

Ringing in 2022, The Mesa Office of Economic Development has an extremely full pipeline of quality projects that will bring a multitude of good jobs and considerable capital investment to the community. Projects in the pipeline are creating great demand for sizeable industrial space and developers and contractors are stepping up to meet these needs.

Today, there are millions of square feet of class A industrial space planned or under construction in Mesa. Consider The Cubes at Mesa Gateway, which will be located between Pecos and Germann Roads south of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. At 4 million square feet on 268 acres, this development will be the largest development-ready industrial park in the southeast valley. Pre-leasing activity has been steady.

Another project of note is Warner Gateway 202. This nearly 1.9-million-square-foot, nine-building industrial product will be located at the southwest corner of Ellsworth and Warner Roads. To put its size into perspective, this industrial development has enough square footage to fit nearly 33 football fields.

On the horizon at a single intersection is another 4.4 million square feet. Airpark 202 is planning 1.5 million square feet at the southeast corner of Sossaman and Warner Roads. At the northwest corner of the same intersection will be the 1.5-million-square-foot Hub @ 202, with the 1.4-million-square-foot Sossaman 202 Industrial Park located at the southwest corner.

These projects are just the tip of the iceberg. The long list also includes Indicap Mesa Industrial Park Phase 1 (nearly 1 million square feet), Power Industrial (583,000 square feet), Hawes Germann 34 Industrial (461,000 square feet), and many more developments of varying sizes.

To add access for many of these projects, the SR24 extension to Ironwood Drive will be completed this fall and will open greater access to the southern portion of the Mesa Gateway Area where many large manufacturers are located and where much of this industrial development is planned.

The volume and scale of the development activity in Mesa is unprecedented. In the more than 30 years I have worked in economic development, I have never experienced such exciting growth. Mesa will continue to attract and expand quality companies and I suspect the market will stay strong. www.SelectMesa.com

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport reports record November passenger activity

The number of travelers flying through Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (Gateway Airport, Airport) continues to break records, with November 2021 marking the busiest November on record for the Airport. Four of the last six months have set records for passenger activity as more air travelers return to the skies. 147,285 passengers came through Gateway Airport in November, an 8% increase over the previous record for the same month set in 2019. The days before and after the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend were also the single busiest days in the history of Gateway Airport. 

In November, Allegiant Air launched seven new nonstop routes, Sun Country started service to Minneapolis, and three Canadian airlines – Swoop, Flair, and WestJet – returned for the winter season. Gateway Airport now offers nonstop service to more 60 domestic and international destinations.

Learn more about Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport at www.GatewayAirport.com.

Visit Mesa launches Aira, guided visual interpretation services for visitors and residents

Visit Mesa and the City of Mesa launched a partnership with Aira, an on-demand visual interpretation service available to visually impaired visitors to Mesa, as well as residents. Aira is behind the new accessibility technology that serves people who are blind or have low vision. Prior to arrival, visitors can download the Aira app from their smart phone and get access to a trained Aira agent who can assist with trip planning. While in Mesa’s city limits, visitors can access the agent to guide them throughout public buildings, attractions, restaurants, hotels and more.

Customers of Aira are referred to as explorers and this instant access to visual information at the touch of a button will enhance everyday efficiency, engagement, and independence. Aira’s visual interpretation services are currently available in all Starbucks and Target stores nationwide. As part of Visit Mesa’s commitment to accessibility, any guest living or visiting Mesa who is blind or has low vision can use the Aira service free of charge while located within Mesa city limits. The service outside of Mesa’s borders is complimentary for up to five minutes and then fees apply. Both iOS and Android phones are supported. Learn more at www.AccessibleMesa.com.

New development projects underway at Falcon Field Airport

Exciting new developments and improvements are underway at Mesa’s Falcon Field Airport.

Phase I of the 23-acre Mesa Hangar project opened at Mesa’s Falcon Field Airport in 2021, offering opportunities for new and expanding aviation businesses. Nearly 100,000 square feet has been leased including Avflight, Van Horn Aviation, Banner Health, California Aeronautical University, Paradise Jets, Shiny Jets and more. Phase II is currently under construction. The six-building project hangar features suites with flexible configurations supporting aviation business.

Falcon Field will gain a third fixed-base operator (FBO) after the recent award of a new lease to Cunningham Aviation. The company expects to break ground in mid-2022 on a $15 million complex that will add a pair of 12,000-square-foot hangars capable of sheltering the latest ultra-long-range business jets, along with a three-story terminal facility. With approximately 20,000 square feet of total space, it will also offer a rooftop bar/terrace and a gourmet restaurant. The facility is expected to open in late 2024. www.FalconFieldAirport.com