TEP representatives regularly promote the Tucson area to site selectors who scour the country looking for locations where businesses can grow or relocate.
Most recently, TEP joined other local leaders in hosting a tour for prominent site selectors, who visited notable sites and led a panel discussion. The mid-April visit was organized by Sun Corridor Inc., a regional economic development organization that aims to drive business investments.
The visit allowed us to show site selectors how we’re supporting local businesses and expanding our clean energy portfolio.
“We demonstrated that TEP is taking a proactive, leadership role in maintaining electric reliability and driving toward a cleaner, greener grid that can support the businesses that these site selectors represent,” said Matt Miller, TEP’s Principal of Economic Development.
Miller joined other TEP colleagues in leading a tour at TEP’s Wilmot Energy Center, which includes 100 megawatts (MW) of solar generating capacity and 30 MW of battery storage in southeast Tucson. The center supports TEP’s plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The tour also visited the site where American Battery Factory is building its headquarters and first battery cell gigafactory in Tucson. TEP is developing a transmission project to provide service to the manufacturing facility and other developments planned for the area south of Tucson International Airport.
In the evening, the site selectors participated in a panel discussion hosted by Sun Corridor Inc. at the Fox Theatre. TEP was one of the event’s sponsors, and TEPs President and CEO Susan Gray served as the emcee.
“Sun Corridor Inc. aggressively markets and promotes the Tucson and Southern Arizona region annually through multiple strategies designed to engage CEOs, real estate, business executives, and site selectors,” said Gray, who serves as the chair of Sun Corridor’s board of directors. “Site selectors are critical influencers and decision makers who help businesses identify locations that fit their relocation or expansion needs.”
Miller said the partnership between business, economic development and local government agencies helped demonstrate a strong sense of regionalism that will benefit future business.
Through its economic development efforts, TEP annually contributes to job growth and business expansion in Southern Arizona, including the addition of about 430 jobs in 2023.
