Want to Initiate a Project?
Interested in developing a project at Ak-Chin? All Submittal Requirements are included in this downloadable PDF.
Skill is High; Cost of Labor is Low
- The SCCC Labor Shed has an estimated population of 2.23 million and represents 52% of the metro area based on 2014 data.*
- A healthy rate of population growth is projected for the Maricopa/Pinal region with more than a 30% increase in population by 2030. Much of this increase will be due to in-migration driven by job growth. The region is expected to add more than 600,000 jobs in the next ten years.*
- About 51% of the population within the SCCC Labor Shed is within the prime working age range of 25 to 64 years old. Labor force participation rates are strong, particularly in East Valley cities where 70% to 80% of the population over 18 is in the workforce.*
- 61% of the workforce that does not work in the City of Maricopa has looked for a job closer to home.**
- 85% of the City of Maricopa workforce would leave their current company for a closer workplace.**
- 44% of the City of Maricopa workforce would consider changing their career if a local job presented an opportunity.**
*Source: Ak-Chin Indian Community 2016 Labor Market Study, Applied Economics
**Source: City of Maricopa 2013 Labor Survey Results, Elliott D. Pollack & Company
DOWNLOAD
OUR 2016
LABOR STUDY
Want the statistics on the labor shed for the Santa Cruz Commerce Center? Read the full report in this downloadable PDF.
Area’s Largest Employers† |
| Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Resort |
| Maricopa Unified School District |
| Walmart |
| City of Maricopa Government |
| Fry’s Food Store |
| Volkswagen Proving Grounds |
| Pinal Feeding Company Inc. |
| McDonald’s |
| Ak-Chin Farms |
| Basha’s |
| USDA Arid-Land Agricultural Research Center |
| Legacy Traditional School |
| Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club |
| University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center |
| Sequoia Pathway Academy |
| Arizona Castings Inc. |
| Electrical District 3 |
| Duke Golf Club at Rancho El Dorado |
| Pinal Energy |
| Scott’s Miracle Gro |
|
Other large employers not included in the report:
Ak-Chin Community Government UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at Ak-Chin Circle |
Skill/Education Levels
- Educational attainment of the adult population within the SCCC Labor Shed is relatively high with 85% of the population having completed high school and 35% having completed a college degree.*
- Current enrollment in college or graduate studies by residents within the SCCC Labor Shed is above the regional average, indicating a strong pipeline of future educated workers.*
- Programs at local community colleges in precision production, construction, mechanics, transportation, engineering technology and agricultural sciences provide a ready workforce for future businesses at the Santa Cruz Commerce Center. These programs have produced over 5,000 graduates in the past three years.*
- Nearly 89% of the City of Maricopa workforce has at least some college education with 46% having a bachelor’s or graduate degree, and has a relatively high concentration of engineers.**
- The SCCC Labor Shed is quite similar to Maricopa County, but with a slightly higher share of workers in manufacturing and a slightly lower share in finance and professional services.*
- Overall, there are workers in a broad range of industries that could support increased economic diversification in the Ak-Chin Indian Community.*
*Source: Ak-Chin Indian Community 2016 Labor Market Study, Applied Economics
**Source: City of Maricopa 2013 Labor Survey Results, Elliott D. Pollack & Company
Workforce Training
Arizona Commerce Authority Can Help
The Arizona Commerce Authority has a number of workforce incentives and job training programs to help you attract qualified talent. Visit the Arizona Commerce Authority for a description of the latest available programs.
All three major state universities maintain an educational presence in Pinal County and have representatives at the main campus of CAC in Coolidge. Customized training courses may be available through:
| Pinal County Workforce Connection | Office: (520) 374-3001 |
| Central Arizona College (CAC) | www.centralaz.edu |
| University of Arizona | www.arizona.edu |
| Arizona State University | www.asu.edu/career |
| Northern Arizona University | www.nau.edu |
| Empowerment System, Inc. | Office: (480) 367–6937 |
| Arizona Department of Economic Security | www.azdes.gov |
WAGES
The average weekly wage of Pinal County is $759, among the lowest in Arizona and significantly lower than the national average of $989/week.†
2016 Mean Hourly Wages for Pinal County†† |
|
| Construction & Extraction | $22.93 |
| Education, Training & Library | $20.33 |
| Food Preparation & Serving Related | $11.13 |
| Installation, Maintenance & Repair | $21.04 |
| Management | $41.04 |
| Office & Administrative Support | $15.82 |
| Production | $20.19 |
| Protective Service | $22.54 |
| Sales & Related | $14.80 |
| Transportation & Material Moving | $15.24 |
| Farming, Fishing & Forestry | $14.52 |
| Business & Financial | $29.89 |
† Source: May 2016 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor
†† Prepared by the Arizona Office of Employment and Population Statistics in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2016
A DEVELOPMENT OF THE
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
New Hydroponics Operation to Grow its Business at Ak-Chin
/in News & Updates /by robinOn July 19, Ibarra Family Farms broke ground on its first U.S. hydroponic operation at Santa Cruz Commerce Center, the Ak-Chin Indian Community’s industrial park. The wholesale operation will produce leafy greens for farmers markets, supermarkets and local restaurants. Phase1 will consist solely of the installation of a 16,128 SF pre-engineered/pre-fabricated greenhouse manufactured by Cravo […]