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News and Videos
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April 19, 2022
Queen Creek To House High-Tech Battery Facility - “Transformational” Investment To Support Thousands Of Technology Jobs in Pinal County
Queen Creek is set to be home to a battery manufacturing facility. A global battery producer for next-generation technologies, LG Energy Solution (LGES), announced last month it is initially investing $1.4 billion to build its first-ever cylindrical-type battery facility in North America. The amount of investment could grow further. The company expects that the new facility will be able to employ a few thousand people, with construction starting this summer and production commencing in 2024. “The historic investment from LG Energy Solution is a generational one that will support thousands of good-paying jobs in Pinal County and throughout the state,” said Arizona Governor Doug Ducey. “Global technology leaders like LG are choosing Arizona because of our world-class business environment, advanced workforce, unbeatable quality of life, and culture of innovation - one that’s delivering unparalleled opportunity for current and future generations. My thanks to CEO Youngsoo Kwon and the entire team at LG Energy Solution, as well as to Sandra Watson and all the partners on this project, including Pinal County, Queen Creek, SRP, Mesa Gas, and Central Arizona College. This announcement proves once again that Arizona means technology, and we’re only just getting started.” “With LG Energy Solution’s announcement, Arizona has cemented our reputation as the world’s production capital for cutting-edge battery technology,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “This high-tech facility further anchors Arizona as a hub for electric vehicles and sustainable technologies, bolstering our already robust EV supply chain. We are incredibly grateful to LG Energy Solution for investing in Arizona and to the many partners who helped land this transformational facility in our state.” "The addition of LG Energy Solution's high-tech battery manufacturing facility to Queen Creek is a massive investment that solidifies the market's position as a hub for battery technology and energy storage and is significant for Greater Phoenix as it continues to attract global leaders in emerging industries," said Chris Camacho, President and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. "With ASU and the region's universities leading the way in workforce development, Greater Phoenix has the infrastructure and graduate pipeline to feed directly into this facility and the ecosystem surrounding it, which is creating thousands of quality high-paying jobs." Cylindrical batteries offer high-density, compact energy storage ideal for applications like electric vehicles. The state-of-the-art Arizona facility aims to establish LGES’s presence in North America’s cylindrical battery market while providing opportunity for further expansion. "We're really excited that global powerhouse, LG Energy Solution has chosen Pinal County (for its new facility),” said Jeffrey McClure, Chairman of the Pinal County Board of Supervisors. "Their investment in our great county is fantastic news for our workforce - too many of our residents currently travel out of the County to work, but LG Energy Solution's arrival will create high-paying jobs and training opportunities at their doorstep, providing our communities a true life balance of live, work, and play." “We are thrilled to welcome LG Energy Solution to Queen Creek,” said Queen Creek Mayor Gail Barney. “The announcement of LG Energy Solution is the culmination of years of strategic planning. It will bring thousands of local jobs to our highly skilled workforce - enhancing the quality of life our residents experience, additional infrastructure, and major capital investment. This isn’t just a win for Queen Creek, it will positively impact our region. Advanced manufacturing is a targeted sector and will be located adjacent to State Route 24. The area is planned for mixed-use and will further the employment opportunities for Queen Creek, Pinal County, the greater East Valley, and the state.” The facility will feature a cutting-edge smart factory system including remote support, manufacturing intelligence, logistics automation, and more. The one-of-a-kind technology, along with its expertise in the mass production of batteries, allows LGES to meet consumer demands in a stable manner and secure the company’s leadership in the North American battery market. High-tech manufacturing, including semiconductors, electric vehicles, and batteries, is flourishing in Arizona, supporting the addition of thousands of new jobs through direct production and supply chain operations in recent years. The state has seen recent multi-billion-dollar investments from global technology leaders such as Intel and TSMC, while EV makers such as Lucid, Nikola, and ElectraMeccanica have production operations in the state.
October 29, 2021
Pinal County Appoints James Smith as Director of Economic and Workforce Development
County Manager Leo Lew is delighted to announce that the County has appointed James Smith, CEcD as its new Director of Economic and Workforce Development. Smith will begin his role with the County on November 8, 2021.
James Smith comes to Pinal County from the Town of Fountain Hills, where he has served as Economic Development Director since May 2019. Previously, he worked for the City of Chandler's Economic Development Division for over twelve years, rising to Economic Development Program/Innovation Manager.
Smith will lead a team of six, focused on bringing Economic Development projects, increased tourism, and workforce opportunities to Pinal County. The role was formerly held by Tim Kanavel, who passed away earlier this year.
After a long and extensive search, County Manager Leo Lew is pleased to have secured Smith for the role, "We are very excited to have a proven economic development professional join our team and lead us into our bright future. James has been successful in the breadth of economic development activities throughout the various communities he has served. I believe he will have the most rewarding experiences of his career here in Pinal County as he unleashes the potential of our unique and talented communities."
Meanwhile, James Smith commented, "I am excited to join the Pinal County team and work in this dynamic environment. The projects that have recently located in the County are evidence of the competitiveness of the area and the team's ability to make big things happen. I look forward to assisting in the future success of the region."
About James Smith
James Smith has nearly 24 years of municipal government experience, primarily in business/economic development.
He assumed the role of Economic Development Director for the Town of Fountain Hills, in May 2019. His focus was on leading efforts to attract and retain businesses and promote tourism as an important economic driver for the Town. Key initiatives have included assisting with the development of the Town’s first hospital and a new HonorHealth urgent care facility which will open in the fall of 2021. He has also partnered with the Fountain Hills School District on BizHub@Fountain Hills, utilizing a former school facility as a business incubator/ accelerator.
Previous experience with the City of Chandler’s Economic Development Division included managing numerous attraction and expansion projects for major corporations, including new operations for Allstate, Liberty Mutual, Voya Financial, and Republic Services.
He holds Bachelor of Science (Economics) and Master of Public Administration degrees – both from San Jose State University. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute, he is recognized by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) as a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). Recently, he completed the Certified Public Manager (CPM) program through Arizona State University.
October 28, 2021
TIM KANAVEL HONORED WITH WILLIAM LAMPKIN LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD BY AAED
At the Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) awards, former Pinal County Economic and Workforce Director Tim Kanavel was honored with the William Lampkin Lifetime Achievement Award.
Tim's family, including his son David and his brother Rollie, accepted the award (see photo below), with other family members, friends, and colleagues in attendance.
Tim sadly passed away in February of 2021 at the age of 64. He had joined Pinal County in 2009 and oversaw more than $8 Billion of projects coming into the County. Most recently, these included electric-vehicle manufacturers Lucid Motors and Nikola Motors.
Tim led an award-winning Economic Development and Workforce Department, recognized in 2020 as Large Organization of the Year with an Excellence in Economic Development Award by the AAED.
The video below was played at the Awards Banquet, held in Flagstaff, and features those who worked closest with Tim sharing their memories of him.
Tim Kanavel Honored with William Lampkin Lifetime Achievement Award at AAED Awards - Tribute Video
July 14, 2021
Attesa Breaks Ground on New Podium Club Road Racing Circuit in Pinal County
Attesa, the multi-use, advanced transportation technology development near the City of Casa Grande, Arizona, broke ground today on the Podium Club, its inaugural project at the 2,351-acre site.
The Podium Club will offer a bi-directional, 15-turn, 2.25-mile paved road course and leased garages for phase one, followed by residential and industrial areas, track expansion, and an RV park. It is expected to open 4th quarter, 2021. The track will be multi-configurable, eventually connecting to an additional, multi-configuration circuit to create one large 4.45-mile, 32-turn circuit.
“It’s exciting to finally break ground,” said Dan Erickson, Managing Member, Attesa. “We’re creating an affordable driving and riding club that provides a safe, world-class track and services. The Podium Club will let members run fast laps year-round, even at night for summer events, taking advantage of a 120 dB sound allowance. Members will also be able to garage their cars and bikes here. We’re going to make our members glad they joined, every day.”
Eschewing the common, traditional use of gold shovels to break the ground, Erickson, Attesa President Pat Johnson, Pinal County Supervisor Steve Miller, and Casa Grande Mayor Pro Tempore Bob Huddleston gathered after some brief comments and announced, ‘Gentleman, start your engines!’
With that command, a cadre of giant earthmoving machines from Rummel Construction of Scottsdale, AZ fired up and began the moving and shaping process for hundreds of thousands of cubic tons of dirt. Weather permitting, the motorsports manicuring of the former Bianco Farms property will take up to 145 days before paving and building will commence.
The circuit was created to meet FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) and FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) safety standards at buildout. Designed by Rose Design of Arizona and engineered by Apex Circuit Design, United Kingdom, the track features generous runoff areas with large gravel traps, a unique series of esses, challenging elevation changes, and a high-speed front straight. The bidirectional, multi-configurable track will utilize energy-absorbing tire barriers and other protection systems instead of exposed metal guardrails for maximum driver and rider safety.
“The people who have already signed up to join the Podium Club know it will be a world-class, full-service track complex for enthusiasts who appreciate value, and especially membership benefits, to satisfy their passion,” added Erickson.
“Unlike all other membership tracks in Arizona, we have permanent zoning to protect our member’s investment. We’re not going to build and add things members don’t want or care about, either. We understand most members will have no aspirations to turn pro, they just want to go fast with their favorite toys in a secure, controlled environment with other like-minded enthusiasts. That’s us.”
The Podium Club at Attesa is located at 6870 S. Bianco Road, Casa Grande, AZ 85193. It is one-half mile south of Interstate 8 and about eight miles from the Interstate 10 interchange. For more information go to podiumclub.com or call 602-707-7222.
March 10, 2021
On March 10, 2021, Professor Greg Watson from the University of Arizona's McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship in the Eller Business School presented an update to his study on the Arizona Innovation and Technology Corridor to the Pinal County Board of Supervisors.
Update by Dr. Greg Watson, University of Arizona on the Arizona Innovation and Technology Corridor
February 10, 2021
Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Stephen Miller this morning announced news of the very sad passing of Pinal County Economic Development Director Tim Kanavel.
Tim joined Pinal County in 2009 as the County's first Economic Development Director and since then has overseen more than $8 Billion of projects coming into the County. Most recently these included electric-vehicle manufacturers Lucid Motors and Nikola Motors.
He led an award-winning Economic Development and Workforce Department, most recently recognized as Large Organization of the Year with an Excellence in Economic Development Award by the Arizona Association for Economic Development.
Prior to joining Pinal County, Tim worked with the Wickenburg Regional Economic Development Partnership, Tucson Airport, and the former Greater Tucson Economic Council. A University of Arizona graduate, he had begun his career as a driller in the oilfields of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Tim was 64 and leaves behind 3 children and 4 grandchildren. Everyone at Pinal County sends their condolences to Tim's family and friends.
Tim Kanvel - Photograph taken in December, 2020
Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Stephen Miller paid tribute to Tim, "I met Tim when he first came to Pinal County in 2009. Tim came from the working world having begun his career in the oilfields, and as a result, knew how important jobs are and what they mean to everyday lives.
There was nobody more dedicated to his job and to Pinal County than Tim, he was a person that was always trying to advance Pinal County and what was best for our constituents. This is devastating news and a tough loss for Pinal County."
Vice-Chair Mike Goodman added, "He's going to be greatly missed, there's no way you can replace a Tim Kanavel. What he's done for this County and our communities is truly beyond measurement, we're going to see the impact of Tim's work for decades. What's going to be challenging is to continue that legacy. Our thoughts are with Tim's family, friends, and loved ones. I always counted Tim as a good friend of mine."
Interim County Manager Leo Lew joined the County in 2009, the same year as Tim, and commented, "I had the privilege of working with Tim for the past decade. The growth and development in the County over the past 10 years is in large part because of him. It was easy to see that Tim lived the life he loved and he lived it to the fullest. He will be dearly missed as a colleague and friend. Our condolences go out to Tim's family and loved ones."
Stephanie Maack worked closest to Tim in recent years as Economic Development Program Manager and said, "Tim chose Economic Development as a profession as a way to give back to people. He used to say he was responsible for over 450,000 lives (Pinal County population) and helping to make their quality of life better. He was the biggest cheerleader for the County, municipalities, and the clients he worked with.
Working so closely together, we developed a friendship. If I was the last to leave the building, he stayed behind to make sure I didn't walk out in the dark by myself. It was little things like that that made him who he was, he always thought of everyone before himself. He was bigger than life with a heart to match, this was evident to anyone who knew him! My thoughts and prayers are with Tim and his family. I will miss my dear friend and mentor."
Tim Kanavel Tribute Video
January 13, 2021
On January 13, 2021, Jim Rounds, President of Rounds Consulting Group, presented a Pinal County Economic Development review and forecast to the Pinal County Board of Supervisors. The presentation can be viewed below.
County Economic Development Review and Forecast by Jim Rounds, President, Rounds Consulting Group
December 1, 2020
Lucid Motors has announced the first phase of construction is complete on its Advanced Manufacturing Plant, AMP-1, paving the way for the first production models of its luxury electric vehicles to come off the line in the Spring of 2021.
Read the full story by clicking below
September 16, 2020
On September 16, 2020, Professor Greg Watson from the University of Arizona's McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship in the Eller Business School presented his study on the Arizona Innovation and Technology Corridor to the Pinal County Board of Supervisors.
Greg Watson, University of Arizona, Presents Arizona Innovation and Technology Corridor - 9/16/2020