50 Business View Magazine - July 2016
Lawrie, the city’s Economic Development Director,
Goodyear currently has nearly two million square feet
of projects under construction and actively encourages
manufacturing companies to locate there. One of the
major manufacturers already situated in Goodyear, is
Sub-Zero, a manufacturer of refrigerators and refriger-
ation products. “They are headquartered in Fitchburg,
Wisconsin,” says Lawrie, “but a significant amount
of their production happens in Goodyear. They’re ex-
panding their facilities here and will become one of
the largest manufacturers in the West Valley, which is
part of Greater Phoenix.”
In its efforts to attract new businesses, Lawrie says
that the city works with several local organizations
such as the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, which
helps market its constituent communities. “We’re very
regional in what we do,” she explains. “All of the mayors
and the economic development directors get together
to plan strategy for the region. We know that we’re
stronger together when we’re making policy decisions,
and when we’re growing our communities. One of our
biggest goals is to attract major employers to increase
our residents’ opportunities for employment.”
Goodyear’s two largest employers are in the health
care industry. Abrazo West Campus, which has the ar-
ea’s only Level One Trauma Center, and Cancer Treat-
ment Centers of America, will be the anchors of Good-
year’s future Wellness Park. The Wellness Park will be
developed on the 130 acres just north of Interstate 10
in the area that is the gateway to Goodyear. Lord says
that the Wellness Park could eventually have facilities,
such as a health garden that could be used for teach-
ing better methods of enhancing healthcare to both
citizens and tourists alike.
Another proposed project for the city, according to
Lawrie, concerns a facility near the Phoenix-Goodyear
Airport. “We have a very deep history in aerospace
and aviation,” she says. “Goodyear has a wonderful
historic campus near the airport which has more than
