The West Valley is Building a Brighter Future

The Phoenix Metro’s West Valley is growing rapidly. This is in no small part due to the area’s forward-thinking leadership and backing from key stakeholders working tirelessly to make their vision for the area a reality. Currently, 40% of Phoenix’s residents live west of Interstate 17, and 64% of West Valley residents are working age. To address the growing need for nearby employment and local entertainment, the West Valley has introduced a multitude of initiatives to attract innovative companies and high-tech employers to the area.

We sat down with Sintra Hoffman, President and CEO of WESTMARC—the Western Maricopa Coalition—which is a private partnership of the West Valley’s 15 communities, its business divisions, and the educational sector. WESTMARC works with its partners to promote economic success in the West Valley. Throughout our interview, Hoffman provided insight into the many initiatives underway that are helping the West Valley prosper.

Huge Companies Are Making Their Way to the West Valley

The West Valley is growing at a fast pace. According to projections, the 15 communities comprising the West Valley will experience over 50 percent growth within the next 25 years. As impressive as that is, new residents mean an increased demand for nearby work—especially work that will stand the test of time. Many residents are seeking high-tech jobs that will pave the way for future technologies and, in turn, provide plenty of job security. “I was in DC back in May, and obviously the big hot thing is TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company),” says Hoffman, “I think we’re going to be seeing a lot more high-tech manufacturing and advanced manufacturing in the technologies space and those are the things that we really have to prepare for.” The TSMC plant will specialize in creating densely packed four-nanometer chips used in everything from cell phones to automobiles.

One major way the West Valley attracts new companies is through Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs). “The foreign trade zone program is a federal program that is set up to incentivize companies to locate based on their activity,” says Hoffman. To operate in an FTZ, companies must meet certain criteria. That might include demonstrating that a certain percentage of manufacturing relies heavily on foreign parts. Companies that qualify can receive an up to 72% business property tax reduction. Operating within an FTZ also helps companies expedite products through customs, saving businesses even more.

Incentives like these have been a major driver in bringing high-tech jobs to the West Valley, where many parts are shipped in from overseas.

More and Better Transportation

One of the ways the West Valley is planning to accommodate the influx of new jobs is through a series of ballot initiatives that aim to improve transportation drastically within the region. “There’s a ballot proposition that will be on the ballot in November, said Hoffman, “It’s Proposition 479, which will fund a 20-year plan for transportation improvements in Maricopa County.” This proposition will continue funding that started back in the 80s.

With new residents making the West Valley their home, there is also an increased need for housing. And that’s where master planned communities like Teravalis come in. “I think the housing market is still booming,” says Hoffman, “There’s still clearly a demand for single-family homes, as well as multifamily, and I think one of the things that the West Valley is fortunate to have is a very diverse housing mix.”

“We’re seeing people from California move to Arizona not because they want to rent. They want to own, so homeownership is still a big part of why people are moving to Arizona,” says Hoffman. Recent pricing shows that Arizona homes are 30% less expensive than homes in California, making it an ideal location for homebuyers wishing to stay in the southwest.

Investments in Culture and Entertainment Are Making the West Valley Attractive

The West Valley has also been gearing up to become a premiere destination for entertainment, cultural events, and shopping. Places like State Farm Stadium and the Westgate Entertainment District have become popular destinations. The West Valley is also a popular spot for spring training, including teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres.

“What I’ve seen happen in the West Valley over the last five years is the emergence of more localized downtowns, more localized entertainment opportunities, particularly post-pandemic,” says Hoffman. Since 2020, people have gotten used to seeking out venues near their homes, which is reflected in their decision-making when choosing a new home.

In the past few years, many entertainment centers have opened in the West Valley, including The BLVD in Avondale, GSQ in Goodyear, and Villages at Prasada in Surprise. As the West Valley expands, there has been significant demand for more entertainment and dining close to valley residents.

“I think that master plan communities and the cities themselves are working together to build and create localized opportunities for people to meet, gather, and dine all in that localized place,” says Hoffman, “and I have no doubt that Teravalis is going to be providing those same opportunities.”

Expect Even More From the West Valley in 10 Years

Throughout our talk, Hoffman was incredibly optimistic about the future of the West Valley. “Today the West Valley’s population is 1.8 million residents, and I feel like we’re almost a community onto ourselves because there’s so much happening where we have our own vibe if you will,” says Hoffman, “I hear this constantly where people say you guys are so different in the West Valley, you’re so open, you’re friendly, you’re welcoming, and that differentiates us from other parts of the region.”

From sporting events to entertainment and business sectors, Hoffman sees more people coming to the West Valley the same way they did for areas like Scottsdale and Tempe in it’s earlier development when those communities were still growing.

“This is really more of a tourist destination, with the sports areas, outdoor recreation, and so much to do. Other areas that really relied on just hanging out in the resorts, they’re going to have to think about how they plan to activate their areas,” says Hoffman, “There’s some cool things to do, but I think people are looking to be more active today.”

We couldn’t agree more.

About Teravalis™

Teravalis is primed to be a 37,000-acre premier master planned community located in the West Valley of the Phoenix metropolitan area, in Buckeye, Arizona. Translating to “land of the valley,” Teravalis is positioned between the White Tank and Belmont Mountain ranges and is committed to embracing the natural High Sonoran Desert beauty. Utilizing innovative technology and sustainable planning, the community will feature unparalleled amenities and wide-open spaces to explore and discover.

Teravalis is a community of Howard Hughes®, known for its mission to curate vibrant communities that elevate the everyday, creating meaningful moments in great places where people can live their best lives – and thrive for generations to come.