The Arizona Manufactures Council, or AMC, has named Queen Creek Mayor Julia Wheatley its 2023 Manufacturing Champion of the Year for her advocacy for legislation that will help communities attract manufacturers and meet their public infrastructure needs, as well as for her work to bring a multibillion-dollar investment by LG Energy Solution to Queen Creek.

Wheatley was presented with the award at the Queen Creek Town Council’s Oct. 18 meeting.

“This award is the culmination of a lot of hard work from a lot of people – I was thrilled to present the award to our Queen Creek Town Council and amazing community,” shared Mayor Julia Wheatley, in a town press release. “Our efforts with House Bill 2809 help municipalities, businesses and the state – but most importantly, it benefits Queen Creek as it provides the town with reimbursement for a portion of the town’s $84 million in public infrastructure investments including roads, water and wastewater in the northeastern portion of our community. I’d like to express my sincere appreciation to Rep. Michael Carbone who sponsored House Bill 2809, and to all those champions who helped it reach the finish line.”

Queen Creek is consistently ranked one of the fastest-growing communities in the United States. The Town’s General Plan helps guide the growth, which includes the northeastern part of town, primarily owned by the Arizona State Land Department. The general plan identifies the section as a special district and growth area encouraging the private investment that fosters job creation, the release stated.

Last year, LG Energy Solution announced an investment of $5.5 billion for an advanced manufacturing facility, bringing thousands of jobs that “aligns with the state’s goal to be a leader in the high-tech industry,” according to the release.

“Without strong local leaders like Mayor Wheatley, Arizona risks losing out on these major job-creating investments,” AMC Executive Director Grace Appelbe stated in the release. “Mayor Wheatley understands what it takes to land these mega projects and why local government is an essential partner in the state’s economic development strategy.”

LG Energy Solution is slated to break ground in late 2023 or early 2024. For more information regarding the project, visit QueenCreekAZ.gov.