Chandler

Autonomous Vehicles – A Key Industry in Arizona

Autonomous Vehicles in the PHX East Valley

Autonomous vehicles, once a concept of science fiction, are suddenly becoming a reality thanks to big names in the technology and transportation industry. These companies such as Waymo, Intel and GM among others have helped pave the way for the future of safe and efficient transportation.

Self-driving vehicles have the potential to dramatically reduce distracted driving fatalities, and eliminate the human error element in driving. This transformative technology also holds the promise of increasing the mobility of those who can’t operate a vehicle from the old, young and those with disabilities.

Arizona and more specifically the PHX East Valley, has become one of the leading areas for autonomous vehicle testing in the U.S. Due to the amazing weather and the support of Governor Doug Ducey, this region has become a hub for self-driving vehicles sparking industry leaders such as Ford and GM to also move their driverless car operations to Arizona.

Waymo, the Driving Force

Waymo, which is a subsidiary of Google’s parent company Alphabet Inc., has been leading the way in the autonomous vehicle industry.

In early 2016, the company began testing in the Greater Phoenix area and has since partnered with Intel who has a large presence in Chandler, Arizona to design, build and test the vehicles right here in our region. As the industry continues to evolve, the company has taken the initiative in educating the local, Arizona community through their “Let’s Talk Self-driving” campaign for which they have partnered with our organization, the Foundation for Blind Children, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and other nationally recognized organizations who are taking a stand to help educate the public on how self-driving cars can transform our lives.

Development and Testing Continues

In late 2017, Waymo announced that some of the vehicles in their Chandler, Arizona fleet would no longer have a driver behind the wheel (You can read more on this here).  However, most of the company’s fleet still operates with a test driver behind the wheel to take control in the event of vehicle error.  In addition, Waymo launched an Early Rider program for select members of the Arizona community. This allows the public to share in the self-driving vehicle testing experience. (You can read more on this here).

As of today, Waymo’s fleet has collectively driven over 5 million miles and adding more miles each day.

Read more about self-driving vehicles in the PHX East Valley below:

The “Why” Behind “PHX East Valley”

Article by John Lewis, CEO of the East Valley Partnership


More than 35 years ago, business leaders on the east side of the Valley decided to give our growing region a name. The name chosen was the “East Valley.” It took some time for the name to stick, but it did.

Now, citizens in Greater Phoenix without hesitation refer to the area populated by citizens in Tempe, Mesa, Apache Junction, Queen Creek, Gilbert and Chandler, as the East Valley.

From the time it was named, the region grew by another 1 million residents, built major freeways, and added hundreds of thousands of jobs. At the same time, the East Valley was building a hub for both large and startup businesses. Today, the region is lauded for its talented and highly educated workforce (36 percent of our residents have at least a bachelor’s degree, compared to 29 percent nationwide), some of the strongest demographics for quality of life in the country, a premier K-12 education system, and innovative higher education opportunities. We also are one of the
fastest-growing regions in the country.

So why brand the region?

As we continued marketing outside of Arizona, it became abundantly clear that the East Valley had something different and special to offer to corporate and individual leaders, but that our region did enjoy name recognition in the same way areas such as “Silicon Valley” or “Research Triangle” did. As we spoke to leaders in other parts of the nation, we would say that we are in the “East Valley,” just east of Phoenix. Five years ago, upon being named president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Mesa Mayor Scott Smith would repeatedly be asked, “Where’s Mesa?” His response was “Mesa is in the East Valley.” With blank stares he would continue, “Just east of Phoenix.”

With former Mayor Smith’s encouragement, four years ago, East Valley leaders fielded a national study to put our region on a bigger national stage and identify a name that would be most appropriate in branding the region.

It was no surprise that the brand name selected was “PHX East Valley.”

I was serving as mayor of Gilbert when our new brand name was proposed. I gave some push-back, asking “Are you sure that there isn’t another name to consider?” As a board member of Mesa Gateway Airport at the time, I was reminded of the significant positive impact of the City of Phoenix and Sky Harbor Airport’s partnership at Gateway Airport. In 2007, the name of the airport changed from Mesa Gateway Airport to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. Instantly, business at the airport accelerated. Airlines could now identify to their customers that they had Phoenix offerings. Customers traveling to Phoenix had new options.

The success of the Gateway Airport made me realize that while I hoped that “Gilbert” would have great name recognition outside of Arizona, the reality was that our other great brand name in Arizona – “Phoenix” – would be needed to successfully brand and market my community and the other communities in the East Valley.

A recent story carried the headline, “’East Valley’ gets new name – but it’s pretty much the same as old one.” That may be true to some. What has changed is that the six communities that are part of the burgeoning PHX East Valley are now home to more than 1.3 million residents, with another 1 million expected by 2030, a diversity of companies – from global giants such as Intel and Boeing to entrepreneurial startups and home-grown businesses, and an airport that has grown into an economic powerhouse. PHX East Valley also has become the place for jobs – with 400,000 new positions expected to be added during the next 30 years.

If you haven’t been here in awhile, you undoubtedly will be amazed at the impressive East Valley area, just east of Phoenix!

Upcoming State of the City / Town Addresses

Join the following PHX East Valley Communities at their upcoming events:

 

 

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Town of Gilbert | 2017 Digital State of the Town Premiere

January 24th from 5:30pm to 6:30pm

Click Here to Register

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

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City of Mesa |  2017 State of the City Breakfast

January 31st from 7:00am  to 9:00am

Click Here to Register

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Chandler State of the City Address

 

City of Chandler | 2017 State of the City  Address

January 31st from 5:00pm to  7:00pm

No RSVP Required –  Click here for more Information

City of Chandler to Host Export Training Program

City of Chandler to host Export Training Program; seeks local companies interested in growing their export sales.

ExporTech, a nationally recognized program proven to help small- and mid-sized companies boost their exports, is coming to Chandler for the first time this fall. The program, which begins Friday, Aug. 5, is delivered by the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) RevAZ Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, along with national partners. The City of Chandler Economic Development Division is co-sponsoring this Fall 2016 program.

“The City of Chandler understands that international trade is a major driver of economic prosperity,” Mayor Jay Tibshraeny said. “Our goal for this training program is to accelerate local export growth by providing companies with access to the knowledge, services and expertise necessary to compete in the global marketplace.”

Representatives from up to eight participating companies will attend three full-day sessions (Friday, Aug. 5, Friday, Sept. 9, and Friday, Oct. 14), where they will be exposed to Arizona export experts from diverse subject matter sectors, undergo practical training on key export topics and receive individualized export coaching. Between sessions, participants will work with a program-assigned export coach to conduct market research and refine their international strategies.
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2016 SRP Forum | PHX East Valley Entreprenership

Entrepreneurs are innovators. They observe opportunity and gaps in the marketplace to create new goods and services. Entrepreneurs play a vital role in economic development as key contributors to technological innovation and new job growth. They help build their communities by providing jobs, conducting business locally, creating and participating in entrepreneurial networks, investing in community projects, and giving to local charities.

Nowhere is this changing model of business more apparent than in the PHX East Valley. The spirit of collaboration and innovation is prevalent and these new business models are proving to be important engines for economic growth in the area. Realizing both the economic and social impact of entrepreneurship, many states and local communities, including those in the PHX East Valley, have implemented aggressive strategies aimed at cultivating and nurturing entrepreneurs.

 

Join us on Tuesday, September 13 for the 2016 SRP Forum on Entrepreneurship.

 11:30 AM Registration / 12:00 Noon Program & Lunch / 1:15 PM Program Close

Hilton Phoenix-Mesa – 1011 W Holmes Ave, Mesa, AZ 85210 (60 @ Alma School)

Sponsored by Salt River Project

Download the Full Event Invitation

Register Online Today

 

Attendees will hear a keynote address from Clate Mask, CEO & Co-Founder of InfusionSoft. Mask is a national expert and speaker on entrepreneurship, a New York Times bestselling author, and a PHX East Valley native and resident. He has received numerous awards and honors, including being named a Top 100 Small Business Influencer by Small Business Trends, and one of the 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs of 2013 by Goldman Sachs. Attendees will also hear from a panel of local entrepreneurs sharing their stories and talking in-depth about the local, regional, and state resources that helped them achieve success.

Incubators, entrepreneurship, and creative businesses models are becoming part of our daily lives and have a reverberating impact on our economy and growth. Attendees will come away with a better understanding of these models, resources for innovative ideas, and how to best support entrepreneurship in their business circles and communities.

In partnership with SRP, this forum will aim to:

  • Raise awareness and understanding of the entrepreneurial spirit and opportunities in the PHX East Valley;
  • Provide a forum to share experiences of business incubation, entrepreneurship and creative economic development models for job growth and prosperity;
  • Provide a platform for attendees to hear from and interact with nationally-recognized entrepreneurship experts and local entrepreneurs who are making a difference in their communities;