By Brent Ruffner
Twitter: @AzNewsmedia

A sustainable energy company has picked an area bordering Scottsdale for the organization’s innovation hub.

The company, United Cities North America, will use its local hub to create an environment where innovators and investors can collaborate to advance and address sustainability topics and goals, according to a Tuesday announcement from the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.

United Cities will be on the Salt River Pima- Maricopa Indian Reservation near Scottsdale. A specific address is not yet known.

According to a press release, the hub will sit on a 25-acre site. Development is expected to start early next year.

United Cities partnered with Caliber, an asset management company that helped find the new site for the organization. The site will serve as its North American headquarters.

The press release said Caliber will be the project’s master developer for the UCNA headquarters and Fund projects. This role includes research, site selection and compiling the development team to execute the project.

“Caliber and United Cities North America’s partnership comes at a perfect time as we strive for a cleaner, more sustainable world,” says Chris Camacho, GPEC president and CEO. “The growth greater Phoenix is seeing in advanced sustainability technology is remarkable, and the collaboration born out of innovation is driving us to be a leader on the global stage.”

United Cities wants to find innovative ways to reduce carbon dioxide levels from buildings, vehicles and boats by using simulations and real, up-to-date data points. The company uses 17 goals from the United Nations General Assembly “designed to be a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future” for everyone. The organization wants to help build sustainable cities in the U.S.

According to its website, the Sustainable Development Goals are an effort to achieve reduced emissions by 2030.

In Scottsdale, the hub will serve as a research and development center where efforts are created, tested and scaled.

United Cities will use mapping to assess cities throughout North America, the press release said.

Caliber also will help identify opportunity zones, which focus economic development in areas that would benefit from increased revenue. Caliber will administer and manage the fund for opportunity zones, the press release said.

“This data will help economic developers and city planners solve problems such as [carbon dioxide] emission, traffic problems and the efficiency of buildings by measuring their electricity usage,” the press release said.

“By using the latest technologies such as AI and machine learning, this facility will allow cities to compare data side-by-side to improve sustainability and solve problems to meet the 2030 goals.”

Jason Lohe, head of United Cities North America, said the Phoenix area was an ideal location.

“We selected the greater Phoenix Area because it is one of the fastest growing markets in the U.S. and we believe it is well positioned to be a driver of the Net Zero and sustainability goals going forward,” Lohe said in a press release.

Loeffler agrees. “The location on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Reservation near Scottsdale, Arizona is a perfect metaphor to drive sustainable progress to underserved areas,” Loeffler said.

“With this partnership, we will leapfrog forward our work with Opportunity Zones. This project will be an economic driver for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Reservation community, for Scottsdale and for the state of Arizona.”

Brent Ruffner
Lead News Reporter | Phoenix
@AzNewsmedia

BRuffner@iniusa.org

Meet Brent

Brent Ruffner joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2021 where he writes about developments at TSMC and Maricopa County issues, including election topics.

He's written about stories that range from accusations that a Mesa monkey breeding facility is unsafe to what to do if you encounter a rattlesnake in the desert.

Community:  He is a supporter of the American Cancer Society.

 Education: Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State University, May 2007.

Random Fact: He met former San Francisco Giants outfielder Willie Mays at a Phoenix Firebird game after winning a contest for an autographed baseball. 

Hobbies: Hiking in the woods and collecting sports memorabilia.