WWW.COOLIDGEAZ.COM COOLIDGE ARIZONA A COMMUNITY WITH A SMALL-TOWN HEART AND BIG-CITY AMBITION
COOLIDGE, AZ A COMMUNITY WIT HEART AND BIG-CIT AT A GLANCE COOLIDGE, ARIZONA WHAT: A community-driven municipality that combines small-town charm with big-picture ambition. WHERE: Located in the heart of Pinal County, approximately halfway between Phoenix and Tucson. WEBSITE: www.coolidgeaz.com 1 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 08
TH A SMALL-TOWN TY AMBITION DRIVING GROWTH THROUGH STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY FOCUS. Coolidge, Arizona, is gracefully balancing rapid growth while staying true to the things that make it unique. This quaint community on the rise is full of small-town charm, proving that prosperity doesn’t have to come at the expense of its authentic spirit. 2 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 08
The city has done an exceptional job of leveraging its prime location in the sun corridor to attract more advanced manufacturing giants. To complement the arrival of those giants and the city in general, Coolidge is also maximizing its abundant sustainability, which has only drawn in more interest from prospective investors and businesses. The ongoing revitalization of the city’s downtown core has also attracted diverse businesses outside of the energy and manufacturing sectors, resulting in the expansion of key cultural venues and an enhanced sense of vibrancy and walkability. And while the city’s educational system has already received high praise, it continues to make investments in that area, which has seen schools improve and student numbers soar. Coolidge has also proactively planned for new public safety infrastructure, such as additional fire stations, and has expanded its management strategy for regional transportation to ensure the city scales effectively and safely. Regarding regional transportation, the Coolidge Airport has seen over $500,000 invested in planning and upgrades alone! In addition, Coolidge offers many ways to move around the city and regionally. The Cotton Express, the local bus service, offers stops around Coolidge while the CART bus system takes riders to various points from Florence to Casa Grande. It’s clear that, thanks to its community-centric development, Coolidge is not just growing; it’s thriving. It’s time to discover what extraordinary innovations this desert oasis will unveil next as it continues to redefine prosperity in the Southwest. CELEBRATING A CENTURY OF PROGRESS Coolidge, Arizona, nestled in the sun-drenched corridor between Phoenix and Tucson, has undoubtedly blossomed in recent years. The city is experiencing considerable development that touches every facet of community life. 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 08 COOLIDGE, AZ
Education, a cornerstone of any thriving community, has seen remarkable improvements since last year. “We’ve grown considerably in the last year. Our schools are improving their grade levels; and we now have over 4000 students in our schools,” says Mayor Jon Thompson. Coolidge offers an array of educational opportunities including public and charter school instruction. Coolidge Unified School District, Imagine Schools Charter Elementary/Preparatory and a host of online offerings including Arizona State University Preparatory, prepare students for success. Beyond academics, the city has expanded its recreational facilities, with plans underway for a significant new 50-plus-acre regional park that promises enhanced outdoor experiences for residents. Economically, Coolidge has navigated major positive shifts in its industrial landscape, with one of its most notable businesses, Nikola, transitioning to Lucid Motors. Yet, despite these advancements and the influx of new opportunities, the city maintains its close-knit, friendly atmosphere, where the community is a top priority. In fact, the allure of Coolidge is further enhanced by its affordability, a significant benefit to the community.“The median price of homes here is less than any of the surrounding communities, so it’s actually easier to buy a home here,” Mayor Thompson explains. With homes being more accessible than in surrounding areas like Chandler, Gilbert, or Casa Grande, Coolidge is the most viable option for those seeking quality, affordable housing. The city has experienced a significant surge in residential development, issuing 143 single-family permits from January 2025 alone, with corresponding increases in valuations. The Mayor expressed particular pride in the infill housing projects, saying, “I’m happier and prouder of the infill housing we’re getting than the new 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 08
housing because we’re improving some of the older neighborhoods.” Moreover, certain sectors of Coolidge’s public safety have been significantly bolstered, with the transition to a full-time Fire Department within the last year and a half. This ensures the community is safer and more prepared, even as calls for service have increased, reflecting the city’s growth. Coolidge is on the cusp of a monumental milestone: its 100-year Centennial. The city is meticulously planning a grand celebration to mark this significant occasion. “September 20th is the date we’re targeting, but we’re preparing for an event at San Carlos Park, which is our main central park,” says City Manager Gilbert Lopez This will be a comprehensive community gathering, featuring a stage with live music, various vendors, and a unique community wall displaying pictures of founding families and local businesses. “Our schools will have a booth as well because they’re an important part of our history. But our community is really founded on cotton farming, so we want to make sure to have some exhibits for that as well,” Lopez says. And while this event will pay homage to the city’s historical roots, it will simultaneously highlight its impressive leap into advanced manufacturing with the presence of Lucid and the anticipated arrival of the new Procter & Gamble facility. DRIVING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND REVITALIZING COMMUNITY VIBRANCE The impending arrival of Procter & Gamble signifies a major win, with their site plans already approved 5 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 08 COOLIDGE, AZ
BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY, TOGETHER. Building a strong community requires a unified effort. That's why SRP is proud to support the City of Coolidge as they provide programs and services designed to work for the greater good and, ultimately, create a more vibrant future for us all. srp.net/community
and civil and construction plans under development. It shows that Coolidge’s economic landscape is undergoing a remarkable transformation, driven by enhanced investor appeal and sustainable practices. This development aligns with Coolidge’s emphasis on sustainability, as Procter & Gamble is recognized for its environmentally conscious operations, which aim to minimize water usage. The city benefits from utility providers like Arizona Public Service (APS), its main provider, and Salt River Project (SRP), which makes clean power readily available to companies seeking sustainable operations like Meta and Google. “We have the most amount of sustainable solar energy out of all the cities around us. Right now, we’ve got quite a bit and have enough to power a lot of sectors,” Lopez explains. Orsted, NextEra and others have solar farms located in Coolidge generating hundreds of megawatts of energy and featured in many media outlets like CNBC for their large-scale projects. Coolidge is also investing in critical infrastructure, specifically upgrading Arica Road and other access points to support this and other forthcoming businesses, a major sign that Coolidge is ready to accommodate significant industrial growth. Apart from its industrial strides, downtown Coolidge is another priority for the Mayor and his Council, with significant revitalization efforts underway to transform it into a vibrant hub. A key development is the near completion of the Pinal Hispanic Council Intermountain facility, a 5,000- to 6,000-square-foot building that offers azwater.com 520-723-5346 coolidge@azwater.com 351 N. Arizona Boulevard / Coolidge, AZ 85128 Connect with us Arizona Water Company is proud to be part of your community. For seven decades, AWC has remained committed to providing safe and reliable drinking water and award-winning customer service to the communities we serve. Community values are what drives AWC, and the company prides itself in maintaining and operating 12 local offices throughout Arizona. 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 08 COOLIDGE, AZ
Both of these nationally recognized establishments draw considerable foot traffic, which certainly signals positive things, both now and in the future, for the downtown area’s appeal. Efforts to enhance walkability are a strong focus, involving extensive code enforcement and utility upgrades, fixing sidewalks, improving road systems, and upgrading utilities to prepare for long-term development. The city is also actively working with vacant landowners to increase downtown density, encouraging more residential presence to support local businesses, such as Peter Patio, a popular Greek restaurant. healthcare services and brings new employees right into the heart of downtown, near the post office and existing doctor’s offices. However, generally speaking, the downtown area is increasingly becoming an entertainment destination, with businesses like El Grotto hosting comedy shows and the local theatre group, ACT 1, which has been widely received in the region. “We have United Dance Crew, who have won a number of awards, down there, and now Robles Boxing & Fitness is moving their gym to downtown. They’re robust boxers who go out, compete, and win all over the state, and have moved downtown,” Mayor Thompson adds. 8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 08
Additionally, the city is committed to greening the downtown area by adding more trees and irrigation systems before the centennial celebration, making the area more aesthetically pleasing and inviting for pedestrians. A VISION FOR WORKFORCE AND PUBLIC SERVICE DEVELOPMENT Coolidge is strategically investing in its human capital through partnerships that directly link education with local job opportunities. The recent annexation of Central Arizona College (CAC) into the city brings its main campus, with over 7,853 students across five campuses. City Manager Lopez also serves on their board. CAC is instrumental in providing specialized training, including the DRIVE 48 program, tailored for advanced manufacturing. This program is designed to train employees for Lucid Motors’ powertrain and drivetrain work at the former Nikola facility, ensuring a skilled local workforce for one of the city’s major employers. Furthermore, a technical school called the Central Arizona Valley Institute of Technology (CAVIT) in Coolidge, offers 22 programs including advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity. “They work together with Central Arizona College, through a dual degree program, where they can get a degree at CAC but also at CAVIT,” Lopez explains, highlighting how the program allows students to earn both a high school diploma and college credits or certificates. These certificates provide direct pathways to entrylevel positions with companies like Lucid and other businesses located in the city’s 2,700-acre rail-served industrial park, one of Arizona’s largest. 9 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 08 COOLIDGE, AZ
Looking ahead, Coolidge envisions a future defined by continued momentum and a proactive approach to public services and business partnerships. “We’re going to continue to do what we’ve been doing all along, which has worked very successfully for us. We have formed numerous partnerships that will continue to work with those companies. We will be starting a new regional park for our citizens, and that’s something I think they’ll all be very proud of,” Mayor Thompson expresses To accommodate this growth and prioritize public safety, the city plans to build at least one new fire station, likely to the west, to serve new populations. The city is also keenly aware of the need to enhance its quality of life by attracting more diverse amenities, with a specific focus on sit-down restaurants. Lastly, the Coolidge Airport, a former military facility, stands as a critical economic gateway with significant development potential. Recent infrastructure investments, including over half a million dollars in planning, power upgrades, fire pump improvements, and roadway design, have made the area highly attractive to businesses. The airport is securing grants from the FAA, with a new taxiway and 80,000 square foot apron in the design phase and construction funding secured, potentially including over a million dollars in expiring funds from other airports. Coolidge Avenue, the main road leading to the airport, has also seen a $5.5 million upgrade, further solidifying access. Ultimately, Coolidge’s journey is a powerful testament to the idea that true prosperity lies not just in growth, but in a community where the past is honored, the present thrives, and the future is proactively built. PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n Salt River Project (SRP) www.srpnet.com SRP is a community-based, not-for-profit public power utility and the largest electricity provider in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, serving approximately 1.1 million customers. SRP provides water to about half of the Valley’s residents, delivering more than 244 billion gallons of water (750,000 acre-feet) each year, and manages a 13,000-square-mile watershed that includes an extensive system of reservoirs, wells, canals and irrigation laterals. n Arizona Water Company www.azwater.com Arizona Water Company is the second largest private water supplier in Arizona. For 70 years Arizona Water Company has proudly provided clean and reliable drinking water to communities across Arizona. 10 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 08
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