The City of Casa Grande’s key industry focuses are on retail trade, manufacturing and agriculture, with significant contributions from health care and social services, as well. Health care and social services make up 13.2 percent of the city’s economy; manufacturing makes up approximately 12.4 percent, retail makes up 12 percent and accommodation and food make up 10.9 percent. Over the past two years, Casa Grande has generated significant media attention at the national and international levels with development announcements by Lucid Motors (electric vehicle manufacturer), Attesa Motorsports (2,300-acre development that will include two professional racing venues) and Dreamport Villages (1,500-acre extreme sports-themed amusement park). In addition, construction of the Phoenixmart, the 1.5 million-square-foot international business-to-business sourcing center is well underway, and should be completed by the end of 2018. These four projects combined are projected to create over 30,000 jobs and represent over $5 billion in capital investment over the next 10 years. In addition, the Attesa Motorsports venue and Dreamport Villages are expected to attract over 4 million visitors a year.
Manufacturing
These economic development projects have the potential to expand Casa Grande’s economy at an enormous rate, and add to an already impressive list of other key industries and businesses that exist in Casa Grande today. Manufacturing has an impressive presence in Casa Grande, boasting companies such as Frito-Lay, Abbott Nutrition and Hexcel. One of the great benefits for the manufacturing industry in Casa Grande is the easy access to the I-10 and I-8 highways that intersect only a few miles south of Casa Grande.
Retail Trade
As a result of Casa Grande’s increasing population, retail trade has also increased, as well. Florence Boulevard, which runs east to west in the southern part of the city, has become a major corridor for retail development in dining, shopping and entertainment. To the east of I-10 on Florence Boulevard lies an impressive number of department stores, chain restaurants, a Harkins Theatres and the potential for future development as the city continues to grow. Additionally, in the northern part of the city, more commercial development is planned and will continue to grow in parallel with the arrival of new homes and new industries that will open in the coming years.
Agriculture
As most longtime residents in Casa Grande know, agriculture has been a large part of the economy for many years. Crops, such as alfalfa and cotton, grow in abundance, in addition to other types of agriculture, such as dairy. While many new industries continue to arrive in Casa Grande, agriculture will always have a home in Casa Grande, and will continue to be a staple of the economy for years to come.
