The city of Chandler is partnering with Arizona State University to take a deep dive into the city’s economic future, according to a news release.

Chandler's City Council recently approved an agreement with ASU’s Seidman Research Institute, the consultancy arm of the W.P. Carey School of Business, to produce a 20-year economic vitality report.

Several critical topics will be explored with recommended actions to help guide city policy direction, the release states.

No city funds will be used for the study and report, the release states. Funding for the report will be provided by a grant awarded by the Chandler Industrial Development Authority, though the release doesn't go into detail about where CIDA's grant funds originate.

The grant will also provide funding for student participation from ASU’s Thunderbird School of Global Management. 

“We’re proactively looking ahead to what Chandler will need not just in the immediate future, but over the next two decades to ensure we have a smart plan in place to remain competitive and vibrant,” Chandler's economic development director, Micah Miranda, said in the release. “We’re excited to work with ASU and tap into their expertise and local insight. This report will help shape real decisions about our economic future.”

The idea for this report builds on a presentation the City Council received in August 2024 about Chandler’s changing demographics and future economic opportunities.

ASU will tackle questions about what’s next for the city and how the city attracts and retains talent, plans land use, supports resilient industries and brings in new investment, including the attraction of foreign direct investment.

The report will also serve as a valuable tool to complement the city's work on its 2026 General Plan update.

ASU will begin work on the project this summer. Over the next several months, they’ll conduct research, collect data and engage community stakeholders, from business leaders to residents, to gather a wide range of perspectives.

The final report is expected in early 2026, the release states.

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