The First Solar plant at Signal Butte and Elliot is huge. Taking up 1.3 million square feet – the size of 43 football fields – the plant built by First Solar has yet to house employees. After changes in the solar panel industry, First Solar is selling the plant it recently completed.
Rumors have been floating about Apple’s interest in a manufacturing plant in the U.S. Arizona was in the running for an Apple facility in 2012, but Austin, Texas won out over Arizona. Apple has yet to express any public interest, and First Solar spokesman simply “decline(d) to comment.”
Earlier this month, word got out that First Solar was selling the plant for $100 million, but no buyer was announced, and First Solar has been very coy with any details of the sale.
Greater Phoenix Economic Council CEO Barry Broome, in an interview with KTAR-FM 92.3 said that the buyer was “some kind of advanced manufacturing” business. Rumors have also included GoDaddy, but GoDaddy’s spokeswoman Stephanie Bracken said, “This isn’t GoDaddy.”
Extending the “Silicon Desert” reputation of Chandler into Southeast Mesa would be a coup for the area, and a big push for DMB development at Eastmark, which has suffered setbacks due to Gaylord Entertainment’s resort that didn’t occur, but which has seen recent wins such as the announced development of a full campus for Grand Canyon University.
We at 85212.com will continue to look into this possibility, and will share information as we get it.
The move would be excellent for East Mesa real estate, resulting in increased buyer activity and higher demand in Southeast Mesa zip codes 85212 and 85209, as well as increased local purchases in the Mesa Gateway area. New employees would likely seek out 85212 homes for sale and 85209 homes for sale over more remote areas with a commute.
