Pinal Partnership says county poised for growth; water, energy and transportation top priorities

Craig McFarland, president and CEO of Pinal Partnership, presented a countywide economic and policy update to the Florence Town Council on Oct. 21, outlining regional priorities that the organization will pursue with municipal partners.

McFarland said Pinal Partnership has grown to more than 210 members, representing municipal governments, utilities and major employers. He described eight committee areas that guide the group’s work and highlighted recent legislative and policy efforts on water, transportation and energy. McFarland said an "Ag to Urban" bill and other water-related policy changes were advanced in the last year and that the Partnership is working to help communities manage rapid population and employment growth.

Why it matters: McFarland told council members that Pinal County is among the state's fastest-growing areas and faces infrastructure, water and energy constraints as new industry locates in the region. The Partnership’s work on a data-driven countywide transportation plan — using ASU’s Decision Theater — is intended to produce a coordinated transportation strategy to guide investment and reduce litigation risk that previously delayed a regional transportation authority.

Key details McFarland cited included:

- Membership and programs: More than 210 members; monthly breakfasts and committees on water, energy, economic development, education and workforce, transportation and open space. - Transportation planning: A new Pinal County Transportation Plan is being developed with ASU Decision Theater to produce data-driven prioritization of projects after litigation paused the prior RTA effort. - Energy: The energy committee is preparing outreach and education for municipal partners about future energy needs; McFarland said utilities estimate a need to roughly double output over the next decade and communities will face decisions about solar, battery storage and new generation. - Mining and industry: McFarland listed active and proposed projects including Florence Copper, Resolution Copper, Sonoran Copper and Ivanhoe Electric; he said Resolution alone could bring several thousand jobs and that firms such as Lucid (3,000 jobs cited) and suppliers to semiconductor and battery projects are shaping local workforce demand.

Council reaction and next steps

Council members thanked McFarland and encouraged the Partnership to continue outreach to state legislators to raise awareness of Pinal County needs. McFarland invited council members to participate in Partnership committees and monthly breakfasts and said staff would follow up with materials and committee information.

Provenance: McFarland’s presentation began during the Oct. 21 council meeting (Pinal Partnership update) and concluded after council questions and comments; several council members and staff spoke in support of the Partnership’s role.