INCUBATING JOBS: Business park construction picking up

Estrella Gin is getting vertical.

The long-awaited business park has begun construction for office space for its first tenants – the city of Maricopa, the Maricopa Economic Development Alliance, and the Maricopa Chamber of Commerce.

The city will be leasing 5,826 of the initial 45,000 square feet of flex office space in Estrella Gin Business Park at 45654 W. Edison Road, just south of State Route 238 and a mile west of John Wayne Parkway.

Quinn Konold, a spokesman for Maricopa, said the city will then sublease 1,100 square feet to MEDA and 600 square feet to the Chamber. The three will share a conference room and restrooms, and the City will retain about 2,056 square feet as a business incubator space. Plans for the exact use of that space under in discussion, Konold said.

Shane Cook of MHG Commercial, the developer of the project, said the initial building can house up to 19 tenants in its 45,000 square feet. Utility work and infrastructure began in July, with that work including an interior street on the site that will connect Edison and Loma roads. The project began rising above ground in October and Cook said he expects the finished office space to be ready for the city by the end of July 2022.

Horst said having all the MEDA offices, which he as described as a “business incubator,” in one location will benefit the city.

“MEDA represents our economic effort towards job creation,” Horst said. “To have a physical presence within the community is critical to our collective mission.”

MEDA Executive Director Adam Saks, agreed with Horst, and said the new space will be meaningful for his organization.

“We don’t have space of our own at the moment – we’ve been working out of space in city hall,” he said. “At Estrella Gin we will be centrally located, close to the city’s economic engines, and sharing space with the Chamber. Economic development thrives when groups like ours and the Chamber work well together.”

Saks added that the city sits on the crest of a wave of business growth.

“The city has a tremendous opportunity now with all the growth we’re seeing,” he said. “We have to take that message out, market it, speak to people, and have them come and kick our dirt. In the past, MEDA was a board that got together once a month. Now it’s a day in, day out organization that functions like a true economic development agency should, and that requires space that reflects that role.

One of things city has done very well is finding appropriate business-ready sites for people looking to move to this area,” Saks added. “Estrella Gin will help expand that success by providing a great asset for the city to sell.”