BUSINESS
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1 Arf-Anage Dog Rescue The Pinal County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a special use permit allowing Arf-Anage Dog Rescue to operate a commercial kennel housing up to 65 dogs at its property on Bowlin Road east of White and Parker Road. The nonprofit had risked closure without the permit after zoning staff determined a special use authorization was required for continued operations. Volunteer Tina Morrison said the approval “allows us to continue doing the rescue work we’ve been doing.” Supervisor Rich Vitiello (R-Maricopa) noted the kennel was properly licensed as a commercial operation from the outset, unlike breeder Shell Abbott’s Hidden Valley facility, whose February request to house 40 dogs for breeding was denied because of neighbor complaints and zoning noncompliance. 2 Circle K Crews repaired a leaking pipe beneath the slushie machine at Circle K at Honeycutt and Porter Roads, long the source of customer complaints about a persistent stench. The store, among Arizona’s busiest, has faced years of negative reviews describing the odor as “vomit,” “sewage” and “rancid mop water.” Staff confirmed the pipe repair Oct. 15, with flooring cut open and barricades set up around the area. Some customers said the smell has eased, while others still noticed it. The fix could mark the end of one of Maricopa’s most discussed (and disgusting) mysteries. 3 First Interstate Bank The First Interstate Bank branch at Maricopa Manor Business Center will soon rebrand as Enterprise Bank & Trust following Missouri-based Enterprise Financial Services Corp.’s acquisition of 12 First Interstate locations. The Maricopa branch at Old Maricopa Road and Garvey Avenue is included in the deal, which closed Oct. 14. New signage will replace First Interstate branding, but customers will see the same staff. Enterprise President and CEO James B. Lally said the
company aims for a “seamless transition” while welcoming existing customers and employees. 4 MomDoc A former employee of MomDoc Women for Women in Maricopa has filed a federal lawsuit alleging disability rights violations and workplace retaliation. Isabel Rodriguez, 26, of The Villages, claims the clinic failed to accommodate her after a 2023 arm surgery and mishandled requests related to a lifelong disability. She cites public discussions of her medical needs, reprimands over required clothing and worsening PTSD and anxiety after termination. Rodriguez seeks $500,000 in damages. The suit follows a $2,000 state fine last year after an Arizona Department of Health Services audit cited “repeat deficiencies,” though the clinic remains licensed as an outpatient treatment center. 5 New Dawn Behavioral Health New Dawn Behavioral Health plans a four-phase expansion at the south end of Maricopa Road to add 48 inpatient psychiatric care rooms. The 3,700-square- foot home, built in 1973, was purchased in 2022 by Maricopa-based Forsyte Group for $1.1 million and has operated since 2023 as a co-working space. Located in the Heritage District and sharing a wall with seven homes in Alterra, the site plan calls for renovating the garage, then constructing bedrooms around a courtyard with laundry, recreation, classroom and dining areas, and a one-story psychiatric facility near the entrance. Owner Ernest Amponsah said the project will bring “fully integrated behavioral health” to Maricopa and would mark the city’s largest behavioral health expansion to date. 6 Nissan Nissan will launch a two-day pop-up dealership Nov. 8–9 at Duke’s Roadhouse, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. The Japan-based automaker will offer car deals, live music, food and test drives with
experts from its Stanfield Test Center Proving Grounds. Attendees will also get a behind-the-scenes look at Nissan’s vehicle testing and engineering process. Dusty Pierson, engineer at Nissan North America’s Arizona Test Center, called the event a “celebration of innovation, community and connection.” 7 Orbitel Communications Maricopa-based Orbitel Communications upgraded internet speeds for customers at no additional cost, raising plans to as much as 300 Mbps, 500 Mbps or 1 Gbps depending on tier. Interim General Manager Latisha Rose said the free upgrade reflects Orbitel’s commitment to “greater value, improved performance and community appreciation.” The company called the move an investment in customers’ connectivity and future needs. 8 Sky Village Dino Park The Pinal County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a special use
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permit for Sky Village Dino Park, a proposed 10-acre dinosaur-themed
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educational attraction at State Route 84 and Green Road. The park will recreate the Mesozoic Era — 252 million to 60 million years ago — with interactive exhibits where visitors can experience life among the dinosaurs. Supervisor Rich Vitiello, who represents the Maricopa area, called the approval a “slam dunk,” saying, “It’s a risk but what a fun thing because kids love dinosaurs. I just think it’s a great thing to bring to the community, and I’m looking forward to it.” 9 Terrible’s Maricopa’s Planning & Zoning Commission voted 5-2 to approve a city-initiated rezoning for a proposed Terrible’s gas station at Honeycutt and Porter Roads. The Las Vegas-based chain, which has proposed a separate location about a mile south on Bowlin Road, will feature seven fuel pumps and a 6,100-square-foot convenience store across from Circle K, but no car wash.
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Sky Village Dino Park
10 The Taco Spot Chandler-based restaurant chain The Taco Spot plans to open in Maricopa’s Cobblestone Fiesta shopping center, taking over the former Barro’s Pizza space at Maricopa Professional Village. A city permit authorizes interior renovations to convert the unit from quick service to a sit-down taco restaurant, with no parking or exterior changes. Known for its street tacos and birria ramen, The Taco Spot operates 19 Arizona locations and others in Texas, Utah, Florida and Missouri, with expansion underway in West Virginia. A Maricopa location is listed online as “coming soon.”
11 W Holdings Tempe-based W Holdings plans to build a 500-acre Energy Generation and Technology Campus between White-and- Parker and Smith Roads, straddling Porter Road about 4 miles south of Maricopa. The site borders the Ak-Chin Indian Community and is currently farmland. The applicant is seeking to amend the county’s comprehensive plan from low-density residential to employment use. The project narrative describes the campus as a facility to “store, process, manage and distribute vast quantities of data” while supporting secure access. The proposal comes amid nationwide debate over large data centers driven by AI demand.
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November 2025 | InMaricopa.com
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InMaricopa.com | November 2025
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