Stein Koss, principal with Phoenix-based Lee & Associates, says the fact that the park at the junction of Burns and Peters roads is rail-served has already spurred interest among potential users. Nineteen acres are under contract to a user planning to develop its own facility, says Koss, who is marketing the land for the Scottsdale, AZ-based developer.

"The big issue on this whole thing is that we have rail that the railroad will serve," Koss explains to GlobeSt.com. He adds that roughly 120 to 130 acres near interstates 8 and 10 have access to Union Pacific Railroad tracks.

Koss says that Casa Grande is proving attractive to developers and users because of its growth, labor pool and relatively fast permitting process. He says the affordable housing market has boomed because the city has a lower cost of living. "Several hundreds of people live in Casa Grande and work in the Phoenix metro area," he says.

Developers also are attracted to the more affordable land prices in Casa Grande. Central Arizona Commerce Park's land is tagged at $3.50 per sf to $5 per sf whereas it can cost $6.50 per sf to $10.00 per sf in other parts of the metro.

"The land prices in metro Phoenix have gotten so high some users are choosing to drive 30 to 45 minutes south to Casa Grande," Koss says. "Because of Casa Grande's cost of living and cost of land, it's now an option. Not the only option, but an option."