Chandler econ director: City can be a ‘global top-line destination’

By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

With downsizing by the city of Chandler’s largest, most visible business announced recently, along with imminent layoffs by three smaller firms, Mayor Kevin Hartke asked the city’s economic development director to present the City Council with a general update on Chandler’s economy.

That’s what Micah Miranda provided at the council’s Aug. 15 meeting, pointing out many positive developments, some almost-there expectations for the months and years ahead and some more directional changes he and the mayor would like to see.

“I think we really need to step back and think about how we can position ourselves as a global top-line destination for the types of companies we’re wanting to attract,” Miranda said. “Specifically, in those economies that are demographically challenged, like South Korea, Asia and western Europe.”

Miranda said even though Chandler is aging, the trained workforce that’s in or near the East Valley can still help if the city targets another tech industry the way it’s done with superconductors and support businesses. He said there is industrial expansion on land south of Chandler Municipal Airport.

North of the airport, Miranda pointed out, several commercial and light- or medium-industrial tenants have built and/or moved into facilities to create jobs.

Miranda covered many other aspects of reality and expectations, such as the fact no one’s trying to bring more office space to Chandler, as that’s in excess now. He also pointed out that an aging population like Chandler’s, which isn’t nearly as young as it was in 2010, has different needs and pursues different things.

A young couple with children, for example, might be looking for and sticking with a 4-bedroom home and might buy sporting goods for school-age children, whereas an older population looks for less house and yard to care for and generally needs more types of health care services nearby.

Miranda said he and Hartke have discussed whether to make economics a large part of the upcoming 10-year general plan update, or if an economic plan will be an entirely separate envisioning process all its own.

He said he pictures many future city planning processes as “less siloed,” meaning more departments communicating and thinking of development and redevelopment holistically, rather than blocks that hopefully fit together.

Miranda’s presentation can be viewed here.

Courtesy of city of Chandler

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Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.