Maricopa: Building a New American City

With more than 50,000 residents, the City of Maricopa is the second most populous incorporated city in Pinal County, and growing by leaps and bounds. In fact, it is currently the 18^th most populous city in Arizona. For Maricopa Mayor Christian Price, the city’s amazing quality of life coupled with its energetic business community and actively engaged citizenry are to thank for both its proud heritage and bright future.

Getting Started

Mayor Price’s road to public service began when he moved from Chandler to Maricopa in 2005, with his wife Cindy, to start a family. After settling into the home, he quickly joined the neighborhood’s homeowners’ association, where he served for several years, including six as its president.

Eager to dive deeper into public service, he was appointed to Maricopa’s first Board of Adjustments

Commission in 2011 and served as its Vice Chair.  He was elected Mayor in 2012, re-elected in 2014 and again in 2016 and is currently serving in his third term (first four-year term).

In addition, Mayor Price is a partner of the Sierra West Group, a Registered Investment Advisory firm. A graduate of Northern Arizona University, he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature.

For him, establishing relationships with Maricopa citizens and stakeholders, regional business and economic development partners, and officials of local, county and state governments is what motivates him on a daily basis. Given this, the C of connectivity strikes a chord.

Maricopa – Past, Present, Future

Each of the new 5Cs strikes a chord as it relates to Maricopa itself, as do the initial 5Cs given that Maricopa is one of the oldest and most historic communities in the state of Arizona.  Maricopa has a rich culture of community that goes back thousands of years, even though the city is commemorating its 15^th anniversary this year. In fact, Maricopa is the only city in the nation that is bordered by two Native American communities. It’s therefore important to Mayor Price and the City itself that they continue to honor and celebrate this cultural diversity and capitalize on the American ingenuity and pioneering spirit that has been an integral part of the community.

Maricopa operates under what is called the “Council/Manager” form of government.  Working together with the Maricopa City Council and staff, the City Manager takes the vision and direction of its elected officials and brings it to life.

Maricopa, like many cities across the country, is in an era of unprecedented opportunity. They are seeing aggressive home construction and increasing home values.  Large national retailers are finding a welcoming community as they open new locations in Maricopa. And, according to Mayor Price, the city continues to expand its treasured quality of life offerings, strengthening its K-12 education and creating strong alliances with Central Arizona College and local employers.

If pressed to develop a sixth “New C,” Mayor Price would choose collaboration.

Two excellent examples of collaboration in Maricopa would certainly be its 2040 Vision and the Maricopa Economic Development Alliance.

The 2040 Vision

According to Mayor Price, over several months in late 2014, nearly 150 community members, representing all facets of the city, participated in several Community Forums with the ultimate goal of envisioning what the future looks like for Maricopa.  Working collectively and in teams, these community members defined the elements of what would become the city’s comprehensive strategic plan, called 2040 Vision.  The 2040 Vision document will guide the city’s leaders over the next two decades as they grow Maricopa.

Top among its goals is to earn the designation of “Smart City.” Cities throughout the world are experiencing the benefits of applying Smart City concepts and initiatives.  A Smart City brings together technology with the government, including economic development and planning, to create a city that is not only attractive for residents and visitors but to businesses looking for a great place to locate, offering a better place to work for its employees.

The application of the Smart City concept is specific to every city. In Maricopa, SmartGov is one of its earliest applications of Smart City principles.  SmartGov is a web-based, user-friendly business permitting platform that enables users to track their plans as they move through the approval process.

Maricopa Economic Development Alliance

Perhaps one of the longest standing exemplars of collaboration in Maricopa is the Maricopa Economic Development Alliance (MEDA), which was established in 2009.  MEDA champions strategies and solutions that foster economic growth and prosperity in the City of Maricopa.  The nonprofit organization brings together business, local and county government and education to focus on growing and diversifying Maricopa’s economy.  As an integral partner to Maricopa’s economic development ecosystem, MEDA has assisted the city with legacy employer, health care and retail projects as well as helping to support the growth of the Maricopa Unified School District.

Maricopa’s dedicated elected officials, city manager, and staff, along with its citizenry and stakeholders, are firmly committed to prudent decision making to ensure that the city continues to flourish for centuries to come.