View a PDF of our 2019 PHX East Valley Partnership Profile Here!
We Are a Coalition of Regional Leaders Who Advocate To Improve The Business Climate in the PHX East Valley.
Latest News
Incoming chair to join new president/CEO Denny Barney in advancing business, community initiatives in growing PHX East Valley
With a goal of building on the strengths of one of the fastest-growing areas of metropolitan Phoenix, Jeffrey B. Guldner has assumed an 2-year term as chair of East Valley Partnership.
Guldner will work alongside Denny Barney, who began his duties as president and CEO of the organization last month. He will balance his volunteer leadership position with his role as executive vice president, public policy, and general counsel of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and Arizona Public Service Company.
“We will focus on aerospace, transportation and other economic engines in the East Valley,” Guldner said, “along with the Connected Place around the Internet of Things and growing applied research. We will also ensure that everyone understands our role in the PHX East Valley, particularly what we can offer our members, communities and other interested parties.”
The Partnership was formed 36 years ago as a cooperative effort among the communities of the PHX East Valley region. Today, the PHX East Valley boasts a combined population of 1.3 million in Apache Junction, Chandler, Fountain Hills, Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek, Tempe and Gila River Indian and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Communities. Because of its talented and highly educated workforce and favorable quality of life, the region has become a magnet for new businesses and entrepreneurial ventures, particularly in industries such as aerospace and aviation, technology, financial services and healthcare.
“Jeff brings many talents to our board,” Barney said, “including a deep understanding of our region and a strong track record of community service.”
Guldner said the Partnership would continue to drive the business interests in the region by acting as a convener and taking a collaborative approach to economic development.
“When you look at the PHX East Valley, there is tremendous infrastructure, a dynamic and engaged population and a great educational base, including the strong presence of ASU and a world-class community college network,” he said. “These are the key ingredients for the region’s continued growth and prosperity.
Original Article By Srianthi Perera of East Valley Tribune
Maricopa County Supervisor Denny Barney is poised to take the baton from John Lewis and head the East Valley Partnership on a part-time basis from June.
Former Gilbert Mayor Lewis, who has headed the partnership since 2016, is planning to resign in May to take up a mission leader position for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cambodia.
For Barney, 48, who did not seek the position but was offered it, the move seems seamless.
As county supervisor, Barney oversees the municipalities of Tempe, Chandler, Ahwatukee Foothills, Gilbert, west Mesa and Queen Creek. As president and CEO of the partnership, he will oversee the economics and quality of life improvements in Tempe, Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek and Apache Junction.
“So it’s a lot of the things I’m doing already,” said Barney, who, on his sixth term on the County board, has decided not to run for another term and to work fulltime for the partnership from early next year.
Alongside him, former Mesa city manager Mike Hutchinson will serve as full-time executive vice-president of the partnership.
Meanwhile, Barney will also balance his duties with his role as principal of Arcus Private Capital Solutions, a specialized realty investment and finance company.
Just now, his hands are full with several new initiatives he’s helping develop for the county, he said, and they have to be completed before he can step down.
In addition to overlapping jurisdictions, Barney has a broad understanding of the area and familiarity with its leaders.
His initiatives at the county includes seeking ways to reduce inmate recidivism, improving regulatory processes and customer service and collaboratively addressing regional homelessness.
“My role at the county has given me a much bigger perspective of some of the regional strengths, and some of the regional challenges,” he said. “I’ve been able to work closely with the mayors and with the members of the business leaders in the community to understand what the weaknesses and the challenges are.”
“Because of those relationships and because of the perspective, I think it’ll help me pick up the baton that John Lewis has been carrying and Roc Arnett beforehand; those are great leaders who understand the needs of our communities and my goal is to stand on their shoulders and take the experiences and the perspective that I have from the county and go to work,” he added.
The East Valley Partnership was created in 1982 as a nonpartisan coalition of civic, business, education and political leaders dedicated to the economic development and promotion of the East Valley. The partnership advocates in areas such as economic development, education, transportation and infrastructure, arts and healthcare.
“It’s a collection of both private sector and public sector and leaders in the community that have come together in a shared vision of building and strengthening the East Valley,” said Barney, who deems this combination a core strength of the partnership. “It’s not just government, it’s not just the private sector, it’s all together and that’s what really makes it strong.”
Continue Reading…
For more on East Valley Partnership’s Leadership transition:
- Denny Barney Named New President & CEO of East Valley Partnership
- East Valley Partnership’s President & CEO is Stepping Down
MEETINGS & EVENTS
Join us for PHX East Valley Innovates Entrepreneur Week!
February 10-13, 2020
PHX East Valley Innovates’ mission is to educate, develop, and inspire local entrepreneurs and help small businesses grow.
Register & join us for a week of exciting events across the PHX East Valley!
Register and find more information about each event below:
Interested in More Innovation & Collaboration?
PHX Startup Week, one of PHX East Valley Innovates sponsors, is hosting their annual entrepreneurial 6-day event from February 17-22, 2020. Visit phxstartupweek.com for more information!
Welcome to the PHX East Valley—a region with approximately 400,000 residents 30 years ago, 1.4 million residents now, and another million on the way. In support of promoting our region on a national level, each year we compile and publish an Economic Profile and Asset Map.
The Economic Profile provides information that can help PHX East Valley ambassadors—those who live and work in our region—as they talk to others as well as businesses looking to relocate their business operations or start a business in our thriving communities.
The message we share is simple: where we live is a great place to receive a quality education, experience excellent career opportunities, raise a family, enjoy single living and retire. We note that it does not hurt to mention that we have over 300 sunny days a year with an average winter temperature of 68 degrees.
As a region, we have a reputation for having a highly educated and skilled workforce. Estimates show that with another million residents coming to our region that will call PHX East Valley their home, 400,000 new jobs will be created in the next 30 years.
The Economic Profile (available for download below) highlights some of our most recent national recognition’s:
- Gilbert named Safest City in Arizona & #6 Safest City in the Country
- Chandler is noted as the 10th Best City for Jobs in the U.S.
- Mesa is known as a “Best Big City” in the Southwest
- Apache Junction is one of the top places to retire in the Nation
- Tempe as the #1 Most Walkable City in Arizona
- Queen Creek is identified as the fourth Best Place for Young Professionals.
When businesses outside of Arizona considers our region, they observe several advantages:
- Business costs are approximately 40 percent lower than those of neighboring California
- 33.6 million square feet of shovel-ready property is available
- Corporate income taxes are low, as are individual income taxes
- Compared to neighboring states, cost of living is lower, utility rates are lower and median household income is higher
Businesses appreciate our regional emphasis on transportation infrastructure, shortening commutes and education. The PHX East Valley is the location of our “Nation’s Most Innovative University,” Arizona State University, along with many other outstanding higher-education institutions. There is a strong emphasis on business promotion and support of STEM education. World-class incubators and accelerators are available to support our local entrepreneurs.
On a lifestyle note; PHX East Valley offers a quality of life that provides hiking, boating, fishing and outdoor fun within short distances from our work areas and homes. We have fabulous facilities to enjoy that promote the arts and we are the Spring Training home to the 2016 World Series Champions — Chicago Cubs as well as the Oakland A’s, Los Angeles Angels, Diamondbacks and others.
PHX East Valley is a dynamic region of the southwestern United States that has experienced tremendous growth, and through thoughtful planning and collaboration we have a vibrant economy with regional assets such as a highly skilled workforce, robust infrastructure, world-class education, diverse real estate and ideal climate.
We invite you to study the 2019 Economic Profile & Asset Map by downloading below to learn more about our thriving region.
