PIMA COUNTY (January 28, 2025) — Pima County Economic Development staff met with a delegation composed of 12 Canadian companies actively looking to expand into the United States during an event hosted by the Arizona Commerce Authority on Jan. 21.

These companies focus on industries such as water technology development, advanced farming and agricultural techniques, and arid climate technology. Pima County staff interacted with these companies to help to locate them to Southern Arizona, and to create new connections to host additional delegations in Pima County.

The continuation of developing relationships with companies from outside the U.S. forges deeper international ties and creates additional opportunities in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for the region. It also helps to diversify the local economy and create jobs for residents.

This delegation visit follows a Jan. 14 meeting with a delegation from Germany in the Historic Pima County Courthouse with Pima County, the Arizona Commerce Authority, the City of Tucson Office of Economic Initiatives, and Sun Corridor, Inc.

Ajax leased 30,162 square feet of space at 4646 S. Overland Drive this past May, see Real Estate Daily News May 29th . The full expansion over five years will add 20 jobs, primarily in operations and manufacturing, with an economic impact of $22 million.

Ajax offers a wide variety of manufacturing services, including progressive metal stamping, sheet metal fabrication, fiber laser cutting, press brake forming, CNC turret punching, robotic welding, finishing, assembly, and kitting. They serve various industries, including heating and ventilation, medical devices, transportation, architecture, power generation, engineered products, and consumer goods.

Based in Minneapolis, Minn., the company began looking at additional manufacturing sites to expand production capacity. The selection of Tucson provided an opportunity to serve customers in the Southwest. Ajax also operates a plant in Raleigh, NC, which opened in 2021.

“Tucson checked all the boxes for us,” said Ajax President Kent Djubek. “Proximity to our customers, access to raw materials, good transportation infrastructure, and a superior technical workforce. We’re especially looking forward to welcoming colleagues on board from the University of Arizona and Pima Community College.”

Gordon Wagner from NAI Horizon’s Tucson Office handled the sale and leasing negotiations, and the buyer had brokers in Minnesota facilitating the sale.

“Ajax’s decision to expand their operations to Tucson/Pima County is good news for Southern Arizona’s economy,” said Rex Scott, District 1 supervisor and chair of the Pima County Board of Supervisors. “Pima County has a lot to offer businesses, from a pro-business environment to a talented workforce and exceptional quality of life, and we’re glad to have companies like Ajax bringing more jobs and investment to our region.”

“The decision by Ajax to expand its operations in Southern Arizona, including investments in the latest robotics, sustainability, machinery, and software applications, really validates that our position as an advanced manufacturing center is strong and growing,” said Joe Snell, president and CEO of Sun Corridor Inc. “Ajax is an incredible company whose presence benefits us greatly.”

PIMA COUNTY (January 28, 2025) — Pima County’s Development Services Department seeks input on the Comprehensive Plan, Pima Prospers. The plan is a 10-year comprehensive land use document that provides guidance and policies for continued development in Pima County. The current plan, approved by the Board of Supervisors in 2015, must be updated every 10 years by Arizona state statute.

The preliminary draft includes reducing policy chapters from four to three, and a reorganization of the 2015 plan with more emphasis on key topics. Those topics include:

• Increasing housing construction and supply following the recession and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
• Accounting for all the regional water supplies, including precipitation and reclaimed water
• Increasing energy generation and storage capabilities from renewable sources
• Mitigating or adapting to the effects of climate change, including higher temperatures, reduced rainfall, and wildfires

Before publishing the 2025 update, Development Services is seeking public comment on the preliminary draft, which includes updated policies covering the Built and Social Environment, natural, Physical, and cultural environment, economic environment, and Rezoning and Special Areas.

The opportunity to review and comment is open until mid-March. Read the draft at this page.