WHY MARICOPA?

• Highly-skilled workforce
• Home to one of only five national ARS biomass research centers
• Access to local and regional agricultural and energy-related research and development facilities
• Available land and water for crop science testing under clear sky, heat and drought conditions
• Appropriately zoned property for production and research facilities
• Growing entrepreneurial support programs

EXISTING INDUSTRIES

The City of Maricopa is home to a thriving cluster of local industries and research facilities in the AgriTech sector. These include state universities, federal research centers and emerging companies utilizing intelligent crop science to produce clean technology products. Examples include:

• Yulex Corp. Voted “Arizona’s Green Innovator of the Year 2009,” Yulex is a manufacturer of hypo-allergenic, renewable latex biomaterials derived from guayule.
• Pinal Energy LLC. The first ethanol plantin Arizona, it opened in 2007 and has an annual production rate of 50 million gallons.
• Global Water Resources. The Maricopa center is the first commercial building in Arizona to use recycled water to flush toilets and the first LEED utility in the county.
• Pinal Power Biomass Facility. A 30mw planned facility to be operational in Q1 2013.

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA MARICOPA AGRICULTURAL CENTER

The Center works to develop, deliver and service the best integrated agricultural technologies for all problems faced by crop consumers and producers. Research focuses on cotton, grains, alfalfa, specialty crops and entomology. The Center also supports outreach programs such as Ag-Ventures and various university classes and is host to several industry representatives conducting research at the facility.

U.S. ARID-LAND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTER (USALARC)

This center in Maricopa integrates the former Western Cotton Research Laboratory and the U.S. Water Conservation Laboratory on a 20- acre site. Opened in February 2006, the 97,000 sq ft research center houses 26 research scientists and over 90 research and administrative support personnel. Research topics include crop management, integrated pest management, irrigation technology, remote sensing, water reuse, crop breeding and physiology and global climate change. Research units include Pest Management and Biocontrol, Plant Physiology and Genetic, and Water Management and Conservation.

Largest Employers

• Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino
• Maricopa Unified School District
• Nissan Technical Center
• Ak-Chin Farms
• City of Maricopa
• Volkswagen of America
• University Of Arizona Agricultural Farm in Maricopa
• Pinal Feeding Company Inc.
• Bashas’
• Fry’s Food Store
• Walmart (opening May 2009)
• T & K Red River
• L P Steel Industries Inc.
• Shamrock Farms
• Duke At Rancho El Dorado

Arizona Workforce Informer:
www.workforce.az.gov

Bureau of Labor Statistics:
www.bls.gov/data/home.htm

Local Attractions

• Him-Dak Museum located in the Ak-Chin Indian Community features more than 700 boxes of artifacts, including pottery stone tools, projectiles, some jewelry, carved animal bones and baskets.
• Maricopa is home to two public golf courses, the Duke at Rancho el Dorado and the Southern Dunes Golf Club.
• Harrah’s Ak-Chin Hotel and Casino offers slot machines, bingo, live entertainment and dining.
• Arizona Soaring is located 6.5 miles west of SR 347 and offers flight training and rides for the casual rider or high-flying thrill seeker.
• Located in the southern part of the Maricopa planning area, groups can also tour the Shamrock Farms Dairy.
• The City of Maricopa itself is also host to several annual events that attract thousands of attendees, such as the annual Salsa Festival every spring and the Founders’ Day celebration in October.

For information on statewide attractions and events, visit arizonaguide.com.