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Falcon Field Area Alliance - E-Newsletter May 2007
Contents
- Boeing flight test paths secured
- Norwegian company makes investment
- Falcon Field Business District continues taking off
- Help in recruiting new employees
The Boeing Company in Mesa is a global leader in the development and production of military helicopters, including its very famous Apache Longbow helicopter. With more than 4,700 employees in the Falcon Field Business District, Boeing is the largest private sector employer in Mesa and one of the largest in the Phoenix metro area. In fact, the Mesa facility serves as Boeing’s 6th largest manufacturing site.
Recently, the City of Mesa was confronted with a development proposal that would have impacted the flight pattern currently used by Boeing to test the newly manufactured Apaches. A developer was asking the city to make a major change to the city’s general plan at Williams Gateway, allowing creation of more suburban homes, business parks and regional commercial businesses on land situated in Boeing’s flight test path!
The Mesa Chamber of Commerce, understands the implications of encroachment into not only Boeing’s flight path, but also other aviation business’ airspace at Williams Gateway. The Chamber led the business community in a lobbying effort opposing the change in the city’s general plan. If Boeing were unable to continue its Apache testing in Mesa, its entire Mesa production could be grounded. Boeing’s predecessor, Hughes Aircraft, brought Apache manufacturing to Mesa in 1982 because its previous operation in Culver City, California was encroached upon by urban development.
Fortunately, the Boeing Company and the proposing developer were able to reach a compromise before the issue was taken before the City Council. Boeing is now able to continue flying its current test patterns and the development firm can begin its construction, albeit with 200 fewer acres on which to develop houses.
Boeing’s statewide economic impact of $2.3 billion is far too important to both Mesa and to Arizona overall to jeopardize their operations. The most valuable asset of Boeing is its highly skilled employees, of which nearly half are degreed professionals. In 2005 Boeing workers took home wages and benefits of $415 million and more than 90% of Boeing’s employees in Arizona are employed in Mesa!
Norwegian Company Makes Investment
Talley Defense Systems, located on North Higley Road, recently announced that it has acquired by the Norway-based Nammo AS, Raufoss, and will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary.
Since 1960 Talley has been operating in Mesa as a pioneer in developing aircrew escape systems, automobile airbag components, submunition dispensing systems, shoulder-launched weapons, and other key propellant-loaded devices. Located on approximately 550 acres in Mesa, Talley has 220 employees and revenue exceeding $62 million (2005 figures). Talley is an ISO 9001:2000 certified company.
NAMMO is a leading world-wide supplier of ammunition, missile products and demilitarization services. The Nammo Group has subsidiaries in Finland, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA. In 2005, the company’s revenues reached $2.4 billion.
Nammo and Talley have built a 25-year relationship producing and marketing products both internationally and for the US military. The two companies possess complementary capabilities in different market niches and operate in different geographic markets. This acquisition is expected to strengthen the market growth of both Nammo and Talley, which is good news for Mesa!
Falcon Field Business District Continues Taking Off
During the past several years, construction of high-end housing has continued its expansion in northeast Mesa, but retail and commercial uses have been slower in developing. With the Red Mountain Freeway approaching completion in summer 2008, regional centers offering retail, entertainment, restaurants and offices are popping up on the Power Road corridor, which is creating a vibrant urban center.
Currently there are five new commercial developments underway on Power Road - just south of where Power meets the Loop 202. Two office condominium projects, Zahara and Red Mountain Village, are almost completed and will provide more than 120,000 square feet of office space at Thomas and Power. Red Mountain Promenade, a 128,000-square-foot retail center at McDowell and Power will include neighborhood and lifestyle uses, such as a bank and restaurants. And, across the street at the southeast corner of McDowell and Power, two other projects are planned that will add both office and retail space.
Help in recruiting new employees
The booming economy in the Falcon Field Business District has created challenges for businesses seeking skilled employees. The Falcon Field Area Alliance has designed a program that will assist employers with tools and resources in their efforts to recruit prospective employees from outside the region, as well as retain and engage existing employees. In addition, Maricopa Workforce Connections, an initiative of employers, industry groups, educators and government, has developed a toolkit to help employers recruit new employees.
The toolkit includes:
Job opening advertisements - Make just one call to the Maricopa Workforce Connections hotline (602.506.WORK) to advertise your job openings locally or nationally through a variety of mediums.
Customized Recruiting - MWC will assist you with small and large scale recruiting and will also provide space at its facilities for on-site interviewing. They also host regular "meet the employer" sessions, open to the public at the East Valley Career Centers.
Matching qualified workers to your positions – The MWC staff will match candidates to your job openings and refer those who meet your requirements.
Job fairs - Looking for a facility to host your next job fair? Maricopa Workforce Connections can help. In addition to having the space available for your next job fair, this organization can help you market the event and access a pool of qualified candidates.
Customized Training - Maricopa Workforce Connections offers on-the-job training (OJT) reimbursements for eligible participants, assistance with developing unique training programs and referrals to existing resources
Labor market forecast data – MWC provides detailed labor market forecast data. The information is broken down by occupation, skill level, industry group and cluster. It is designed to help employers get a precise picture of the labor market for their specific business.
To learn more contact:
Lois Yates
480-610-0815
lcy@falconfieldarea.org
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