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Apache Junction to renew GPEC contract at roughly $22,000 a year, staff says
Summary
City staff and GPEC’s CEO told council the regional economic development contract (about $0.49 per resident, ~$22,000 annually) supports site selection, comparative analyses, and marketing; staff recommended placing the renewal on the July 7 consent agenda.
The Apache Junction City Council heard a presentation on June 15 about renewing the city’s annual contract with the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), a regional economic development organization. Economic development director Ryan Calp told the council the city’s per‑capita charge is roughly $0.49 — about $22,000 annually — and that the city has worked with GPEC for roughly 18 years. He said the item is expected to appear on the July 7 consent agenda for formal consideration.
GPEC CEO Chris Mackey told the council the organization provides site‑location assistance, demographic and competitive analyses, outreach to site selectors and international firms, and public‑relations support. Mackey said GPEC’s five‑year rolling analysis shows an estimated $28 in economic activity for every $1 Apache Junction spends through the contract, and she highlighted regional locates and capital investments that GPEC credits with supporting jobs and investment nearby.
Council members questioned the scope and likely outcomes for Apache Junction. Council Member Cross asked whether GPEC concentrates only on industrial users; Mackey replied that GPEC’s core mission is jobs‑generating projects across industrial, technology, office and healthcare sectors, but that the group sometimes makes retail or commercial introductions when helpful. Council members also asked whether Apache Junction should pursue large‑format industrial land strategies; Mackey said most large locates begin in existing buildings and projected the city would initially attract smaller to mid‑sized industrial and supply‑chain facilities (100,000–500,000 square feet) as local industrial inventory grows.
Mackey and Calp pointed to recent industrial activity in the area, including new speculative space and build‑to‑suit projects, and emphasized three priorities for cities competing for new employers: ready workforce and training partnerships, infrastructure readiness, and focused marketing of local strengths. Mackey recommended workforce training partnerships with community colleges and proactive infrastructure planning so the city can respond quickly when prospects materialize.
The presentation included a staff estimate that the contract renewal will be placed on the council’s consent agenda on July 7 for approval; no formal vote was taken at the June 15 work session.
