Building an economic ‘megaregion’

Pinal County will join Phoenix business group

Pinal County will join one of the largest business groups in the state in a bid to enhance its economic development.

The Greater Phoenix Economic Council will assist the county with marketing, business exposure and industry prospects, according to an agreement approved Wednesday by county supervisors.

In exchange, Pinal County will contribute $150,000 annually to the council. Contributions in its first fiscal year will be prorated at $75,000.

Pinal County officials hope the move will help stem the daily flow of commuters to nearby urban areas by creating new, high-paying opportunities within county borders as its population booms.

The county is sandwiched between Phoenix and Tucson. Nearly threequarters of its working residents hold jobs in neighboring Maricopa County, according to data from the Maricopa Association of Governments.

“We want them to live, play and work at home,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff Serdy.

The council has served Maricopa County communities since it founding in 1989, but it’s taken more recent steps to establish itself in surrounding areas as metro Phoenix grows and companies flock to Arizona. It currently represents several cities in Pinal County, including Apache Junction, Maricopa, Queen Creek and Casa Grande.

Council President and CEO Chris Camacho said adding Pinal County to that list is a natural expansion because its interests align with other group members. He presented the deal as a step toward a more integrated economic region.

“I do believe this market is developing into a megaregion,” he said. “There’s attributes of Pinal County that are very distinctive and that are very complementary to Maricopa County.”

Officials hope to grow tourism, health care and more

The agreement between the council and Pinal County lays out a variety of industries that officials hope to target.

Many on the list take advantage of the county’s geographic location and recent population surge. Advanced manufacturing, for instance, plays off eco