Published on June 24, 2024
From Home Depot and Tractor Supply to Lowe’s and, did you guess right? An Aldi! The City of Maricopa has seen a tremendous boom in commercial business with much more on the horizon. Just this week, the discount grocer submitted preliminary plans for a location at the South Bridge Shopping Center, an ambitious development at John Wayne Parkway and West Honeycutt Avenue that has been years in the making.
“Development projects like South Bridge, are essential to not only keep money in our local economy but create job and retail opportunities that people don’t have to commute out of town for,” said Rick Horst, Maricopa’s Chief Economic Strategy Officer. “By assembling parcels of land and presenting it to a master developer, we can entice businesses to move in that otherwise would have overlooked our area.”
In this case, South Bridge is being developed by Thompson Thrift, a company that has seen much success in bringing diverse opportunity to Maricopa. Their prior project, Sonoran Creek Marketplace, is already home to a variety of retailers, including Sprouts Farmers Market, Marshalls, and several popular eateries. Not to mention, the Lowe’s that will anchor the South Bridge development is already slated to begin construction mid-July.
Meanwhile, Maricopa is also in the midst of creating an Industrial Triangle. This innovative project aims to diversify the city's economic base and expand job opportunities, beyond traditional retail positions to various skilled labor positions.
“We have already seen a great deal of interest in this project,” Horst shares. “In fact, our Mayor and City Council anticipate a major announcement in the coming weeks. Such projects are only possible because of strategic planning and plan execution.”
“People primarily travel the 347 for three reasons: Jobs, medical needs, and retail/entertainment needs. Our economic development strategy will address all of these needs and hopefully give residents less reasons to travel the 347. Certainly, the benefits of new job growth will” Horst said.
These initiatives underscore Maricopa's commitment to strategic growth and economic development. The South Bridge project, highlighted by the exciting new Aldi announcement, along with the thriving Sonoran Creek Marketplace and the promising Industrial Triangle, all contribute to the city’s mission to unlock its full potential and make Maricopa a premier city to live in.