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Pinal County highlights DigiFlight partnership and FAA tower study candidate as county promotes local career fair
Summary
County Manager Liu reported DigiFlight has a public-private partnership with Arizona DEMA for rotary-wing training at the county air park and said FAA found the county a candidate in a benefit-cost analysis for a contract tower; the county also promoted a Central Arizona College career fair connecting employers with local jobseekers.
County Manager Liu told the Pinal County Board of Supervisors on June 4 that DigiFlight has announced a public-private partnership with the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs to develop a rotary-wing aviation training program near the county air park.
"Very thankful to you and the state, legislators for passing laws that enabled them to win a P3 contract with the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, AKA DEMA," Liu said during his county manager's report. He said DigiFlight's program will focus on rotary-wing aviation training and will be adjacent to state-owned land previously purchased by DEMA.
Liu also reported that the Federal Aviation Administration has completed a benefit-cost ratio analysis and found Pinal County to be a candidate for the contract tower program. "We are a candidate and we qualify for the contract tower program," Liu said, noting this is an early step in a longer process to improve airport operations.
Workforce connections: Liu and county staff also highlighted the Arizona Network Pinal County career fair at Central Arizona College's Signal Peak campus. County staff said the career fair connects local employers and jobseekers and that more than two dozen employers were present, offering positions ranging from entry level to senior roles.
Voices from the fair: An unnamed job seeker at the event said the fair made it convenient to meet multiple employers in one place and to explore new industries. "It's convenient to be able to come and have an opportunity to visit with a few people at 1 time, back to back and to explore new opportunities," the job seeker said.
Why it matters: The DigiFlight/DEMA partnership and potential for a contract tower represent county efforts to attract aviation-related training and infrastructure investment. County officials framed the career fair as part of workforce development to keep more employment opportunities inside Pinal County.
Discussion vs. decision: The board did not vote to approve contracts or commit county funds for the reported DigiFlight partnership or the FAA tower at the June 4 meeting. Liu described the FAA finding as a qualification step; further approvals and steps remain.
Ending: County staff said they would continue pursuing airport development and workforce programs. No grant awards or contract approvals related to the air park or DigiFlight were recorded on the June 4 public record.
