BUSINESS
5,781 jobs (20.0%) EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE & SOCIAL ASSISTANCE
3,985 jobs (13.8%) RETAIL TRADE
2,746 jobs (9.5%) PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC & ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
2,666 jobs (9.2%) TRANSPORTATION, WAREHOUSING & UTILITIES
2,651 jobs (9.2%) CONSTRUCTION
2,495 jobs (8.6%) ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, FOOD & RECREATION SERVICES
1,893 jobs (6.6%) PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
1,755 jobs (6.1%) FINANCE, INSURANCE & REAL ESTATE
1,829 jobs (6.3%) MANUFACTURING
1,252 jobs (4.3%) OTHER SERVICES (EXCEPT PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION)
Source: Arizona Commerce Authority, Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity
F OR MUCH OF ITS HISTORY, BUCKEYE'S ECONOMY WAS BUILT ON agriculture. Generations of farmers cultivated cotton, hay, alfalfa and other crops across thousands of acres in the city's fertile western valleys, establishing a rural economy that helped shape the community's identity for more than a century. Today, however, Buckeye is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, and its economic profile is changing along with its population. Large-scale residential development, major transportation corridors and a surge of industrial investment have transformed the city into a key logistics and distribution hub in the Phoenix metropolitan area.
FUTURE JOBS Buckeye bets on advanced manufacturing as the next phase of economic growth
attractive to developers and industrial users seeking large tracts of affordable land with access to major transportation routes. The presence of Interstate 10 and State Route 85 has made Buckeye particularly attractive for logistics and distribution operations. Over the past decade, national retailers and distribution companies have invested heavily in warehouse and fulfillment facilities throughout the city. The presence of Interstate 10 and State Route 85 has made Buckeye particularly attractive for logistics and distribution operations. Today, logistics and distribution are widely viewed as among Buckeye's most significant economic drivers. The sector has helped diversify the city's economy while generating tax revenue and employment opportunities. Yet economic development experts often point out that warehousing and distribution, while important, do not always produce the same long-term economic impact as manufacturing. Manufacturing facilities typically require greater capital investment, employ workers across a wider range of skill levels and create supplier networks that generate additional business activity throughout a region. Those factors help explain why Buckeye is increasingly emphasizing advanced manu- facturing as part of its long-term strategy. What advanced manufacturing could look like While much of Buckeye's advanced manufacturing vision remains focused on future recruitment, the city already has examples of modern manufacturing operations taking root.
In 2024, Rehrig Pacific opened a 264,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Buckeye that produces reusable supply chains and environmental waste products. The company describes the plant as a state-of-the- art operation, providing a tangible example of the type of technology-driven manufacturing Buckeye hopes to attract more of in the years ahead. “The investment in a new facility with plenty of room for growth supports Rehrig Pacific’s mission and values,” CEO Will Rehrig said. “It was essential that we chose a location that worked well for both our current and future customers and one that supported our team members.” The city is also marketing itself to aerospace and defense manufacturers, particularly companies that produce aircraft components, precision-machined parts, avionics systems and emerging technologies such as drones. Another area of focus is biotechnology and life sciences manufacturing. Such facilities can include medical device production, pharmaceutical manufacturing, laboratory equipment assembly and other specialized operations that require skilled workers and advanced production techniques. The city's manufacturing ambitions extend beyond existing facilities. Earlier this year, developers announced Grand View Arizona, a 2,500-acre industrial campus designed to accommodate large-scale advanced manufacturing projects. Project marketers estimate the development could generate more than $1 billion in economic impact and attract employers in aerospace, energy, electric vehicles, biotechnology, artificial intelligence and other technology- focused industries. Ken Galica, planning manager for the City of Buckeye said that in 2021 the designation of the property was changed to “Employment with the anticipation that this would be one
Now, economic development leaders are pursuing what they believe could be the next major chapter in Buckeye's evolution: advanced manufacturing. The strategy reflects a growing recognition that while logistics and warehousing have brought substantial investment and jobs to the city, manufacturing industries often generate higher wages, attract a more specialized workforce and create broader economic benefits through supply-chain activity and secondary business growth. "Advanced manufacturing" has become a frequently used term in economic development circles, but it encompasses a wide range of industries. Generally, the phrase refers to the production of sophisticated products using automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, precision engineering and highly specialized processes. Unlike traditional manufacturing, advanced manufacturing facilities rely heavily on technology and skilled labor to produce complex goods. For Buckeye, the targeted industries include aerospace and defense manufacturing, energy technology, biotechnology, life sciences and advanced transportation technologies. The city's economic development efforts come at a time when Arizona is emerging as a national player in several high-growth manufacturing sectors. The state has attracted billions of dollars in investment tied to semiconductor production, electric vehicle technology, energy storage systems and advanced technology manufacturing. Buckeye leaders believe the city can capture a share of that growth. From farms to fulfillment centers The city's economic transformation has been dramatic. As the Phoenix metropolitan area expanded westward, Buckeye became increasingly
BY DAVID KENNARD
InBuckeye.com | July/August 2026
July/August 2026 | InBuckeye.com
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