City economic development staff and a representative from Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) briefed the council on regional business attraction activity and recommended renewal of the city’s membership contract, while one councilmember urged a detailed review of value and outcomes.

Economic development staff said Apache Junction has been a GPEC member for 17 years and that, over the prior year, the council-submitted six GPEC-originated project leads could potentially bring up to 4,400 jobs and $11 billion in capital investment to the region if locates occur. Staff emphasized the importance of getting in front of industrial and manufacturing prospects and noted Apache Junction’s large available parcels and proximity to Mesa Gateway as long-term advantages.

Brad (last name given in packet as Brad Smith) from GPEC summarized the organization’s services, saying GPEC provides site selection assistance, labor-market analysis and regional advocacy. He said GPEC’s active portfolio includes both domestic and international prospects, with roughly one-third international leads, and that in the recent fiscal year GPEC-assisted locates in the region totaled about 7,200 jobs and nearly $7 billion in capital investment.

Council debate followed. One councilmember said that after 17 years and “million dollars later” Apache Junction has not landed a job-creating locate inside city limits and questioned whether GPEC prioritizes larger contributors with bigger financial commitments. The member asked staff for more detailed feedback about why specific leads did not select Apache Junction sites. Economic development staff and the GPEC representative said likely constraints include infrastructure availability and timelines for state land parcels, and that many companies prefer existing buildings or sites with immediate power and utility access.

Staff said they plan to bring a GPEC contract renewal to the consent agenda in two weeks but noted one councilmember intended to pull the item for additional discussion. No council vote occurred at the briefing.