Each day, Peoria families lose valuable time, money, and opportunities while sitting in traffic, commuting outside of our city to work.

According to data from the Chamber of Commerce, Peoria ranks 23rd across the nation for the most expensive commutes, with daily round-trip commute times averaging nearly one hour and costing residents up to $7,723 annually. This once again re-emphasizes the fact that over 80% of residents leave the city every single day to work elsewhere. For many families, it’s not just a daily frustration, but a significant burden.

In Peoria, this challenge is one of the driving forces behind our economic development strategy. We recognize that economic development is not just about driving new revenues, but also attracting new jobs. Jobs that not only provide opportunities for residents to work closer to home, but also create new opportunities for our city to attract even more high-quality restaurant and retail amenities.

That’s why we remain laser-focused on building an economy that works for all residents and for the future of our city.

In February of 2024, council unanimously approved a development agreement with Amkor Technologies that represents a $2 billion investment in our community and allows Peoria to be home to the state-of-the-art advanced packaging and test facility. The project, expected to create up to 2,000 high-quality jobs, further positions our city as a key player in the region’s growing semiconductor and manufacturing ecosystem.

In December of 2024, the Peoria City Council approved a partnership with the Arizona State Land Department that allows the city to lead the land planning efforts on 6,700 acres of undeveloped State Trust land in the area referred to as the Peoria Innovation Core. Between the PIC, and the 1,620-acre North Peoria Gateway, along Happy Valley and the Loop 303, Peoria is going to have shovel-ready land primed for future development across our city.

These initiatives will drive future employment opportunities and allow our city to attract long-desired amenities.

One of the most important aspects of future economic development is striking the right balance. Peoria recognizes that many residents appreciate and value open spaces and recreational opportunities throughout the city. That is why, in tandem with the anticipation of future growth, we have also created the city’s Mountains, Open Space, and River Ecosystems Division, newly formed and specifically intended toward enhancing and protecting our desert landscapes.

Peoria is fortunate to have over 3,865 acres of open natural spaces, including mountain parks, scenic river corridors, and preserved desert ecosystems. With incoming community developments on the horizon, we anticipate adding an additional 3,800 acres of open space to this inventory in the coming years. It is vital that we prioritize good stewardship over these desert assets.

As a city, we are committed to driving future revenues and job growth through smart economic development. Between our incoming land availability, our close proximity to TSMC, and our ongoing strategic partnerships with companies like Amkor, Peoria will continue to be unapologetically and unequivocally open for business.