Five new major business projects committed to the Tucson area in 2024, thanks in part to the focused collaboration between Tucson Electric Power and our partners to advance local economic development.

The new commitments are expected to create about 435 new jobs in Southern Arizona, according to Sun Corridor Inc. Since 2016, TEP has worked with partners to bring in more than 22,400 jobs.

“The collaborative effort between TEP and our economic partners resulted in a successful year for Southern Arizona’s growth in 2024,” said Dave Couture, Manager of Customer Experience and Advocacy, who oversees TEP’s economic development initiatives. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with the business community this year and beyond to create even more regional job opportunities.”

The new businesses will occupy about 50,000 square feet of existing industrial spaces while developing an additional 500,000 square feet of new industrial space.

Three of the businesses are tied to aircraft maintenance and conversions, including some located in areas near Tucson International Airport where local leaders have been cultivating opportunities for business growth.

TEP regularly collaborates with a regional team of city, county, state, and local business representatives to promote the Tucson area to prospective employers.

As part of our regional partnership, TEP is a major supporter of Sun Corridor Inc., the economic development agency in Southern Arizona. In December, Sun Corridor and the Tucson Metro Chamber agreed to merge as a single entity to coordinate growth and economic development activities.

TEP’s President and CEO Susan Gray currently serves as Chair of Sun Corridor, and she will lead the board of the combined organization.

TEP’s outreach efforts include visits with business representatives as well as interaction with site selectors who help businesses identify locations that fit their needs. In April, TEP helped lead a visit by prominent site selectors, who toured Tucson-area locations, including TEP’s Wilmot Energy Center that includes solar and battery storage facilities.

These efforts helped Southern Arizona attract these significant projects:

This year, local economic development officials are fielding inquiries from a number of data center developers that are seeking property and energy for their large businesses.

“While the workforce availability has traditionally been the No. 1 key driver for a business to locate somewhere, right now it’s access to power,” said Daniela Gallagher, Vice President of Economic Development for Sun Corridor. “TEP will continue to play an important role in attracting these and other businesses, given the current needs.”

See TEP’s new Economic Development page with information about the benefits of working with TEP and locating in the Tucson area.

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