Citing continued strong investor interest and robust leasing activity among smaller users, the Phoenix office of Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) has sold the Bullard Goodyear Commerce Center, a six-building, 182,496-square-foot flex industrial property in Goodyear, AZ sold for $12.6 million ($69 PSF).

Jones Lang LaSalle Associate Riley Gilbert, along with Jones Lang LaSalle Managing Directors Anthony J. Lydon and Marc Hertzberg, managed the property’s sale on behalf of the seller, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America.

Prior to the property sale, JLL led an aggressive 30-month leasing campaign that inked more than 100,000-square-feet in new leases. The commitments brought the industrial development from less than 30 percent occupied to more than 85 percent occupied, with 35 tenants and well positioned for sale.

“These were predominantly small bay deals—the mom-and-pop and regional users that survived the downturn and are now back in the market, creating demand and filling vacant space,” said Gilbert. “This activity turned an already well located project into an equally well occupied one, with limited direct competition and tremendous upside potential based on a proven trend of consistency.”

According to Gilbert, much of this activity is the result of a rebounding homebuilder market and the exponential growth of the West Valley, including neighboring Buckeye, which was the ninth fastest growing community in the nation in 2012.

Located at 500-600 N. Bullard Ave. in Goodyear, the Bullard Goodyear Commerce Center encompasses six office/warehouse buildings totaling 182,496-square-feet on 14.35 acres. Amenities include 20 ft. clear heights, community truck wells, PAD zoning within the City of Goodyear and access to a full diamond interchange at I-10 and Bullard Avenue. The space offers divisibility from a minimum of 2,493 square feet.

“This project provides smaller-scale lease opportunities in a market dominated by large-scale users,” said Gilbert. “That makes for a unique and valuable asset that is located in the middle of a tremendous amount of planned growth.”

Gilbert, Lydon and Herzberg should be contacted at (602) 282-6300.

The Arizona Technology Council, Arizona’s premier trade association for science and technology companies will host the first annual Tucson Tech + Business Expo where the theme will be “Where Technology & Manufacturing Connect” on October 16, 2013, from 12:30 – 7:30 p.m. The aim of the Expo is connecting a diverse group of Tucson-based large and small technology and manufacturing companies to share capabilities and uncover new business opportunities to further the advancement of technology in Arizona.

On-site registration for the Expo will start at 12:30 p.m. at the Tucson Jewish Community Center  located at 3800 E. River Road in Tucson. City of Tucson Mayor, Jonathan Rothschild, will kick off the event at 1:00 p.m. and present the Tucson Tech Expo “Business Leader of the Year Award”, followed by a keynote address. The award is to become an annual presentation to a deserving business leader who has made significant contributions consistent with the vision of the Arizona Technology Council that is, to make Arizona “the fastest growing tech hub in the nation”.

The Expo will feature company representatives from Raytheon, Universal Avionics, National Instruments, Honeywell and B/E Aerospace presenting each their business outlooks and requirements to an audience of more than 30 smaller businesses interested in building supplier relationships.

“The Tucson Tech and Business Expo accelerates business development for our members,” said Alex Rodriguez, director of the Southern Arizona Office of the Arizona Technology Council. “Gauging from the fantastic response we’ve received to date and the fact that we’re on track to sell-out, it’s clear that our members are ready to grow faster. This signature event helps our regional firms uncover new opportunities within the region itself as well as compete and win in a global economy.”

Whether you are an aerospace, aviation or defense manufacturer, major prime contractor, or small business contract manufacturing company looking for new opportunities, you will want to be part of this first-ever Tucson Tech & Business Expo. Contract manufacturers, engineering firms, technology providers and business services’ providers will also have opportunities to present their capabilities throughout the day.

After the presentations, the exhibits will be open and the Council will host its monthly After5 Tech Mixer in the exhibition area. In addition, the Expo will give exhibitors and attendees plenty of time for one-on-one networking and to showcase their portfolio of services and technologies. For a complete list of exhibitors visit the Tucson Tech + Business Expo event webpage.

To become a member or to learn more about the Arizona Technology Council, please visit https://www.aztechcouncil.org . Alex Rodriguez can also be contacted at (520) 275-0519 for more information.

Commissioner Judy Lowe of the Arizona Department of Real Estate has reappointed Andy Jaffe, SIOR, Sr. Vice President at Commercial Properties Incorporated, as the only commercial broker on the Education Advisory Committee. The Education Advisory Committee was established to assist the Arizona Department of Real Estate and endeavors to protect the public by raising the standards for education and continuing education in the Arizona Real Estate industry.

CPI is a CORFAC International affiliate, full-service Brokerage and Property Management firm for all product types. Headquartered in Tempe, the company has over 50 brokers and occupies two offices locally. Currently, CPI’s listings include more than 55.5 million square feet for sale/lease, and over 125 projects under property management, totaling approximately 4.5 million square feet.

“Not many people have an opportunity to contribute to the efforts of the Education Advisory Committee, I’m honored to be selected,” remarks Jaffe. The Education Advisory Committee is made up of 14 volunteer members from various backgrounds including, attorneys, escrow, lending, real estate instructors, real estate school administrators/owners, residential and commercial real estate licensees, and partners. “As a committee, we are working to bring change in continuing education for professionals in the Arizona Real Estate industry. Ms. Lowe is very proactive and experienced in supporting legislation for increasing the diversification of continuous real estate education courses. One of the goals of the committee is to help ensure that Arizona Real Estate courses will be more tailored toward the specialties of the individual,” says Jaffe.

To visit the Education Advisory Committee website click here to learn more about the Committee, or contact Carla Randolph, Education Manager at (602) 771-7799 or crandolph@azre.gov .