Phoenix breaks ground on Innovation 27 workforce and business hub

Phoenix city officials and education and industry partners held a ceremonial groundbreaking Friday for Innovation 27, the city’s planned business and workforce collaborative that will reuse a former big-box store on 20th Avenue as a training, entrepreneurship and community hub.

City of Phoenix economic development staff said the project is the product of years of planning and public input and will host training programs in advanced manufacturing, construction trades, biosciences and semiconductors as well as space for employers and community programs. “It takes time to get things right,” said Chris Mackey, a member of the city’s community and economic development team.

The project will be operated with multiple public and academic partners, officials said. Mayor Kate Gallego, who spoke at the ceremony, said Innovation 27 will connect learners of all ages to career pathways: “Phoenix, the jobs of the future start at Innovation 27.”

Nut graf: City officials described Innovation 27 as an adaptive-reuse workforce hub meant to link training, employers and community services in West Phoenix. Speakers said…