Construction of a proposed $3.3 billion gasoline plant that would have generated more than 2,000 jobs in Casa Grande has been halted after the company planning the project reprioritized its projects.
Houston-based Nacero LLC announced in March that it would build a factory to convert natural gas into gasoline in Pinal County's largest city, creating 265 permanent jobs. Construction was originally scheduled to kick off in 2021 and conclude by 2025.
The city received notice several weeks ago the company had decided to refocus on larger manufacturing projects in its home state of Texas, placing the Casa Grande project third on its priority list. Just last week, Nacero withdrew from a draft agreement and released the property owners from the transaction, according to Richard Wilkie, Casa Grande economic development director.
"Obviously, this is unfortunate and disappointing, but it's a business decision. We respect that, and we do wish them well," Wilkie said. "We were very reassured to hear from them and their team that they couldn't have received a better reception and interaction from our elected body, our city staff and the community itself."
Arizona State University had estimated that the project would have added $6.9 billion to the state’s economy over 40 years, not counting income taxes, company officials previously said in a statement. Despite the loss of potential jobs and economic growth for this city of about 57,000, Wilkie remains optimistic for Casa Grande's future.
“We're not the same Casa Grande as 15 years ago. We have the utilities, the infrastructure existing (already). We have the connectivity. It's a great opportunity for companies to take a look at us and become part of the excitement," Wilkie said.
Wilkie added that the city's affordable land, proximity to interstate highways and rail, and three commercial airports within an hour's drive mean his department has been "enjoying a lot of interest" from various companies looking to build in what Pinal County has dubbed the "Arizona Innovation and Technology Corridor."
As examples, Wilkie pointed to two electric vehicle manufacturers, Lucid Motors and the Nikola Motor Company, that are currently constructing factories, as well as the Attesa motorsports racing complex set to break ground just south of the city once it obtains necessary approval from the county.
