Arizona Achieves Record Economic Development Year
Adero Canyon in Fountain Hills

ACA logo. Photo provided by Metro Phoenix Alliance.

2026 in Review

Arizona recorded another year of historic economic growth in 2026. According to the Arizona Commerce Authority, Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) marked the most successful year for economic development in the state’s history. Companies committed to creating 26,225 new jobs and investing more than $109 billion across Arizona, setting single-year records in both categories. These jobs offer an average annual wage of $81,368, well above the state’s median wage. Expansion projects took place in many communities across our state, including the Metro Phoenix communities of Buckeye, Chandler, Glendale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise, Tempe, and Tolleson.

PHOENIX, AZ (July 22, 2026) –Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) marked the most successful year for economic development in Arizona’s history.

During the 12‑month period ending June 30, 2026, the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) and local economic development partners worked with companies that committed to creating 26,225 projected new Arizona jobs and investing more than $109 billion into communities statewide — both single‑year records.

The projected new jobs carry an average wage of $81,368, higher than the state median wage.

“Across the state, we’re delivering the family‑sustaining jobs and economic growth that are moving Arizona forward,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “From Phoenix to Southern Arizona, to our rural communities and beyond, we are strengthening the state’s workforce, investing in our people, and advancing an economy that creates opportunity for every Arizonan.”

This new fiscal year also marks the 15‑year anniversary of the Arizona Commerce Authority — the state’s leading economic development agency. Created in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, Governor Jan Brewer and the Arizona Legislature established the ACA to diversify and strengthen Arizona’s economy by targeting high‑value industries for strategic business attraction, expansion, and creation.

Since its inception in 2011, the ACA and partners have secured more than 1,428 competitive projects, representing over 338,000 projected new jobs and more than $304 billion in capital investment statewide.

“Arizona is delivering unprecedented economic opportunity statewide,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “We are incredibly grateful to Governor Hobbs and all our economic development partners for their support. With Arizona’s thriving industry clusters, unmatched business climate, talented workforce, top-tier education, and robust innovation ecosystem, our state continues to attract global leaders—expanding economic opportunity and reinforcing Arizona’s position as premier destination for business.”

In FY26, expansion projects took place in 23 communities across the state, including Buckeye, Chandler, Cochise County, Eloy, Gila Bend, Glendale, Goodyear, La Paz County, Litchfield Park, Marana, Maricopa, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise, Tempe, Tolleson, Tucson, Waddell, Yavapai County, and Yuma.

Expansion projects in Fiscal Year 2026 included: 

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About Arizona Commerce Authority

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state’s leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona’s economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create – attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries.

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According to @azcommerce, a delegation of more than 30 Arizona legislative, business and economic development leaders completed a four-day trade mission to Ireland. The visit focused on expanding partnerships in high-tech industries, research, innovation and workforce development. Arizona and Ireland share strengths in semiconductors, medical technology, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, pharmaceuticals and clean energy. Trade between Arizona and Ireland exceeded $850 million in 2025.

The delegation met with officials from the U.S. Embassy in Dublin, Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and IDA Ireland. Members also visited Dublin City University and Trinity College Dublin to discuss research and workforce partnerships. At Intel Ireland, the group toured a campus that employs nearly 5,000 people and includes Fab 34, Europe’s first high-volume semiconductor facility to use Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. Intel’s Fab 52 in Chandler also uses EUV technology and will manufacture Intel 18A chips, highlighting the semiconductor connections between Arizona and Ireland.

Additional visits included the Guinness Enterprise Centre, Enterprise Ireland and a roundtable hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland. The delegation also visited the Irish Parliament in Dublin, where lawmakers formally recognized the Arizona group during a parliamentary session. #ireland #irishdelegation #trademission #silicondesert #metrophx
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#metrophx #realestatemarket2026 #gilbertaz #surpriseaz #peoriaaz
Tempe-based Dutch Bros Coffee plans to acquire 51 former Salad and Go locations after the fast-casual chain filed for bankruptcy, with the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak contributing to its collapse. Court documents filed Tuesday in federal bankruptcy court identify a Dutch Bros-affiliated LLC as the buyer of dozens of Salad and Go restaurants in Arizona and Nevada, along with leases for additional former locations in Texas and Oklahoma. #saladandgo #dutchbros #dutchbroscoffee #tempeaz #drivethru
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According to @azcommerce, a delegation of more than 30 Arizona legislative, business and economic development leaders completed a four-day trade mission to Ireland. The visit focused on expanding partnerships in high-tech industries, research, innovation and workforce development. Arizona and Ireland share strengths in semiconductors, medical technology, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, pharmaceuticals and clean energy. Trade between Arizona and Ireland exceeded $850 million in 2025.

The delegation met with officials from the U.S. Embassy in Dublin, Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and IDA Ireland. Members also visited Dublin City University and Trinity College Dublin to discuss research and workforce partnerships. At Intel Ireland, the group toured a campus that employs nearly 5,000 people and includes Fab 34, Europe’s first high-volume semiconductor facility to use Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. Intel’s Fab 52 in Chandler also uses EUV technology and will manufacture Intel 18A chips, highlighting the semiconductor connections between Arizona and Ireland.

Additional visits included the Guinness Enterprise Centre, Enterprise Ireland and a roundtable hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland. The delegation also visited the Irish Parliament in Dublin, where lawmakers formally recognized the Arizona group during a parliamentary session. #ireland #irishdelegation #trademission #silicondesert #metrophx
Cyclic Materials opened its first commercial-scale rare earth magnet recycling facility in @cityofmesa, strengthening the domestic supply of rare earth elements and critical minerals. The company invested more than $30 million in the 144,000-square-foot facility, which will initially create more than 25 jobs. The plant can process up to 25,000 metric tons of end-of-life products containing magnets each year. Cyclic Materials will recover rare earth magnet concentrate through its Mag-Xtract™ process, along with critical materials such as copper, aluminum and steel. Federal, state and local leaders joined company executives to celebrate the facility’s grand opening. #cyclicmaterials #silicondesert #mesaaz #advancedmanufacturing #metrophx
Heritage Park (@heritageparkgilbert), a new mixed-use destination taking shape in (@downtowngilbertaz) Gilbert’s Heritage District, has announced its first five tenants. The lineup includes Arizona’s first Popup Bagels (@popupbagels), along with La La Land, Hudson House, Salt & Straw, and @solidcore. Construction continues across the development, with the first businesses expected to open in the second quarter of 2027. #gilbertaz #heritagedistrict #heritagepark #townofgilbert #metrophx
Scottsdale-based @barrett_jackson has launched Digital Select Auctions, a premium online marketplace for curated collector vehicles. The platform allows enthusiasts worldwide to bid during exclusive, timed digital auctions. Barrett-Jackson will oversee each transaction, including holding the money and vehicle title, to provide buyers and sellers with greater confidence. The company will also verify completed sales and apply its auction expertise to the process. The first Digital Select Auction will run Nov. 5-12 at Barrett-Jackson.com. #barrettjackson #autoauction #automobilia #scottsdaleaz #metrophx
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#metrophx #realestatemarket2026 #gilbertaz #surpriseaz #peoriaaz
Tempe-based Dutch Bros Coffee plans to acquire 51 former Salad and Go locations after the fast-casual chain filed for bankruptcy, with the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak contributing to its collapse. Court documents filed Tuesday in federal bankruptcy court identify a Dutch Bros-affiliated LLC as the buyer of dozens of Salad and Go restaurants in Arizona and Nevada, along with leases for additional former locations in Texas and Oklahoma. #saladandgo #dutchbros #dutchbroscoffee #tempeaz #drivethru
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