THE QUICK JAB

Bill Jabjiniak, Economic Development Director

Southeast Mesa, a regional employment corridor with abundant, highly skilled talent

A repetitive theme arose earlier this month as CEO Paul Rivera announced that ElectraMeccanica had selected Mesa, Arizona as the home for its new U.S. electric vehicle assembly plant and engineering center. Rivera took every opportunity to talk about his excitement to tap into our local talent base as he aims to hire up to 500 employees. With leading-edge employers like Boeing, Northrop Grumman, MD Helicopters, Infineon, and Dexcom, Mesa has long been recognized as a manufacturing powerhouse. That reputation helped to lay an excellent foundation for the regional employment corridor now developing in the Mesa Gateway Area. This area draws from a sizeable, highly skilled talent pool in the southeast valley. Providing a reverse commute for many workers in the East Valley, the Mesa Gateway submarket boasts some amazing statistics.

Within a 30-minute drive of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, employers have access to:

• a population of 1.6 million that will grow to 1.8 million by 2025.
• a labor force that data shows have tremendous strengths in major categories like computer/math, business/finance, and architecture/engineering.
• an educated workforce where more than 70% age 25 and up have attended at least some college.

These numbers reflect what developers and employers have understood to be the case in Chandler and Gilbert submarkets. Now, as development moves eastward down the 202 freeway and young talent find homes in huge master-planned communities like Eastmark and Cadence, employers are beginning to take notice. Couple that very enviable talent profile with world-class infrastructure and the commercial real estate inventory in the area, and we are confident many more companies like ElectraMeccanica will continue to be drawn here. 

Learn more about Mesa’s quality workforce at www.SelectMesa.com/business-environment/workforce.

City of Mesa launches MesaBusinessBuilder.com

In February, City of Mesa launched MesaBusinessBuilder.com - Your Small Business Toolbox, a FREE comprehensive online toolbox for small businesses to help them start, grow, and find assistance in Mesa. This online resource provides access to critical tools such as business guides, associations and counseling agencies, incentive programs and financial assistance, data resources, entrepreneurship resources, location assistance, as well as guidance regarding permitting, zoning, signage, utility services, licensing, city codes, and much more. If businesses have questions about how to get help, they can find the information they are looking for in the small business toolbox.

"When the pandemic hit, we recognized the critical need to support Mesa's small businesses with tools and resources to weather the storm," Mayor John Giles said. "We provided vital assistance through Mesa CARES, and today we're excited to expand this effort by providing these business tools and many others via MesaBusinessBuilder.com."

In addition, at MesaBusinessBuilder.com, Mesa businesses can connect to Mesa's HUUB, our online small business digital networking platform that features more than 70 FREE webinars on searchable topics ranging from social media marketing to branding to debt restructuring to operating in and after a pandemic. Mesa businesses can join more than 350 other Mesa companies to network, share ideas, and boost their growth. The Mesa HUUB will be growing with more events, trainings, shoutouts, and new additions in the coming months. Businesses can join this FREE program to stay in touch with the Mesa small business community and the latest news and upcoming happenings.

"Small businesses often don't know where to turn for help when starting or expanding their operations," City of Mesa Economic Development Director, Bill Jabjiniak stated. "Whether starting, relocating, or expanding in Mesa, small businesses can count on MesaBusinessBuilder.com to provide them with the resources they need to succeed at every stage of business growth. We are committed to helping Mesa companies grow and prosper."

To learn more about MesaBusinessBuilder.com, contact Kelley Keffer at 480-644-6958 or Kelley.Keffer@mesaaz.gov.

Mechnano joins ASU Polytechnic Innovation District

Mechnano has announced its plan to develop an advanced technology lab at the Arizona State University (ASU) Polytechnic campus as part of the ASU Polytechnic Innovation District. The new partnership between Mechnano and ASU will provide unique training and educational opportunities for ASU Polytechnic students, as well as facilitate an ongoing collaboration with ASU faculty.

Mechnano is a company comprised of scientists and entrepreneurs dedicated to exponentially improving additive manufacturing and 3D printing materials. Using its proprietary carbon nanotube-based technology, or CNTs, Mechnano has successfully improved existing material properties in UV Polymers including impact resistance (by 3x) and tear resistance (by 50x) and added properties such as conductivity.

"We are proud to be a cornerstone company for the ASU Polytechnic Innovation District," said Steven R. Lowder, CEO and Co-Founder of Mechnano. "This collaboration with ASU is a perfect example of how the most innovative university in the country is working directly with advanced technology companies like Mechnano to provide a unique learning experience for ASU students while directly benefiting the company. The results of our collaboration will help both Arizona and our country as a part of a larger effort to return manufacturing to the USA."

ASU students who work with Mechnano will learn about cutting-edge nanotechnology processes and procedures. Mechnano will help train students on best practices for lab work, data recording, and current scientific processes. Because Mechnano is the only 3D printing materials company in the world to have unlocked the potential of CNTs, ASU students will have a unique and real-world learning experience.

Duane Roen, Vice-Provost of the ASU Polytechnic campus and Dean of the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, applauded the progress and said, "We have known for years the tremendous opportunity for private-sector companies to partner with us at the ASU Polytechnic campus and are excited to have Mechnano join us in driving and inventing the technologies of the future."

"We are excited to see this cutting-edge Mesa company, Mechnano, partnering with ASU at the ASU Polytechnic Innovation District in Mesa," City of Mesa Mayor John Giles said. "This collaboration will drive world-class applied materials technologies and further define Mesa as a hub for innovation."

For more information on Mechnano, visit www.mechnano.com.

Mesa high school graduates apply now for Mesa College Promise Funds. Mesa Community College to welcome College Promise students fall 2021.

Mesa Mayor John Giles and Mesa Community College Interim President Lori M. Berquam, Ph.D., announce that the first Mesa College Promise eligible high school graduates will receive funding to attend MCC beginning with the fall 2021 semester. Each student accepted into the program will have their own academic advisor, a Promise orientation plus career and financial aid advising. Also, students receive all the free MCC services such as tutoring, parking, counseling, job skill assistance and the food pantry.

The Mesa College Promise is a commitment from the City of Mesa to residents that eligible graduating high school students, who reside in Mesa, may apply to attend MCC for two years with Arizona resident tuition and fees fully funded.

This flagship program within the Maricopa Community Colleges covers tuition and fees remaining after funds from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or other scholarships are applied. Eligibility includes a 2.0 or better high school GPA and Mesa residency. Full details, criteria and applications are available at mesacc.edu/mesa-promise.

“The pandemic is affecting everyone, including the students toiling to complete high school online. I’m pleased we’re able to offer the Mesa College Promise program to some of these extraordinary students -- our future Thunderbirds,” said MCC Interim President Lori Berquam, Ph.D. “The combined efforts of the City of Mesa, businesses, teachers, parents and caregivers to support the future of these students is commendable. Our goal is to be the source of possibilities, whether it is earning credentials to enter the workforce, an associate’s degree or transfer credits to a university. We are opening doors for the next generation of community college learners.”

Introduced in Mayor Giles’ 2020 State of the City address, the Mesa College Promise program was recommended by the city’s Mesa Achieves Higher Education Task Force on which MCC leadership served along with representatives from the city, businesses and community organizations. Mesa College Promise addresses another task force recommendation, which is that the City of Mesa joins more than 40 government entities and 1,000 business and education organizations in adopting the state Achieve60 goal that by 2030, 60% of Arizonans will have earned post-secondary credentials.

“Many of the outstanding corporations and industries who have chosen to move to Mesa shared they did so because of our skilled employees and educational opportunities,” said Mayor Giles. “Expanding and continuing to educate our workforce is vital to attract future industry. In addition to government grants and funding, businesses and corporations are contributing to the Promise program. It’s a win-win investment in skilled, educated employees and leaders. Mesa is proud to be the first in Arizona and one of nearly 50 nationally to offer a college promise program.”

The City of Mesa leads the charitable commitment with a financial promise of $100,000. Mayor Giles issued a challenge to businesses and philanthropists to match $100,000. Donors to the Maricopa County Community College District Foundation continue to rise to this challenge – building a base to support and grow this transformational program. Student funding is awarded through the Foundation and made possible through the generous contributions of more than 10 businesses and individuals and federal CARES act funding.

“I invite others in the community to step up and donate to Mesa College Promise as well,” said Mayor Giles.

mesacc.edu/mesa-promise