PHOENIX, AZ (July 18, 2022) – Arizona’s commitment to sustainability has positioned it as a prime destination for companies that emphasize eco-friendly practices. The state has been recognized as a leader in this arena, earning the fourth spot nationally in Site Selection Magazine‘s Sustainability Rankings. The Phoenix Metro area also maintained its impressive standing, ranking second in the Mountain Region among major metropolitan areas for the second consecutive year.
The criteria for these rankings included metrics such as the prevalence of LEED-certified buildings, the capacity and deployment of renewable energy, green industry projects from 2019 to 2021, and the number of Energy Star-certified buildings, among others.
Arizona’s ranking demonstrates our state’s attractiveness as an unbeatable business climate that embraces innovation,
according to Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. Under Governor Ducey’s leadership, Arizona has continued to advance forward-thinking sustainability policies that will benefit generations of Arizonans.
Arizona not only excelled in overall sustainability but also ranked in the top five for the total number of LEED-certified buildings and sixth for LEED buildings per capita.
In parallel with its sustainability achievements, Arizona is making strides in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. According to Atlas EV Hub, Arizona ranks fourth in the U.S. for announced electric vehicle manufacturing jobs, with 13,600 positions and counting.
The state’s solar industry is also noteworthy. Site Selection ranked Arizona sixth in solar jobs, supported by nearly 300 solar companies, including major players like First Solar, Tucson Electric Power, and Sun Valley Solar Solutions.
Arizona’s sustainability sector continues to grow with contributions from companies specializing in renewable energy and sustainable materials. Recent developments include new facilities by renewable energy leaders Meyer-Burger, which is establishing its first U.S. solar module manufacturing site in Goodyear, and XNRGY, which plans a 1-million-square-foot manufacturing facility in the Greater Phoenix area for sustainable air handling systems.
Meyer-Burger and XNRGY will join Footprint, a leading company in sustainable and compostable packaging solutions based in Gilbert.
Beyond solar and electric vehicles, Arizona is becoming a hub for battery innovation. Canadian company Li-Cycle recently opened a lithium-ion battery recycling facility in Gilbert, and KORE Power announced plans to build a 1-million-square-foot battery manufacturing facility in Buckeye.
These advancements signal Arizona’s evolving role as a leader in sustainable technology, with ongoing efforts by the state’s sustainability leaders to foster future growth and innovation.
Media Contact
Alyssa Tufts, Arizona Commerce Authority, [email protected]
About the Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state’s leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona’s economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create – attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on Twitter @azcommerce.
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