PHOENIX—Arizona's projected employment growth rate is 85%, compared to the 20% national average, according to East Valley Partnership. CNBC recently ranked Arizona number two in the country in terms of training, quality and availability of workers, while maintaining one of the lowest labor costs in the nation. With a current population of nearly 1.2 million, companies are focusing on quality of life in order to bring to talent to the region.

Specifically, the East Valley region offers a labor force of more than 800,000 highly skilled workers experienced in scientific, technical, healthcare and professional services, representing 42% of the total workforce in the Metro-Phoenix area. Work commutes are shorter and easily accessible through major highway and interstate routes, while light rail continues to expand in the East Valley.

During the past 18 months, more than 20 large American and Canadian companies have relocated or expanded in the Phoenix East Valley region. Examples include State Farm, Orbital ATK, Dexcom, Apple, Isagenix, Total Quality Logistics and Wells Fargo, according to East Valley Partnership.

One of the five top tech markets in the country, Chandler, AZ is home to two Intel factories and more technology workers than Denver or Austin. The Silicon Desert provides an attractive alternative to other tech hubs due to low cost of living, pro-business climate, thriving entrepreneurial environment, available infrastructure and a large pool of computer-science graduates from local universities, says East Valley Partnership.

The recently completed 2.1 million-square-foot Marina Heights office campus in East Valley's Tempe, AZ is now home to State Farm's regional hub, housing more than 8,000 employees. The largest office development in Arizona's history, Marina Heights offers the convenience of two-level underground parking, on-site restaurants, fitness center, expansive park settings, nearby light rail and other conveniences that appeal to sought-after millennial employees.

“The balance of amenities, transit access, and engaging and dynamic live/work/play environments are driving businesses and innovation industries to relocate to the Phoenix East Valley region,” said East Valley Partnership CEO/president John Lewis.

In addition, East Valley is quickly becoming a center of the rapidly growing industry of self-driving cars. Google chose Chandler as its next hub for testing and developing its expanding fleet of autonomous vehicles. Two years prior, General Motors selected Chandler as the site of one of its four centers responsible for inventing global software systems across the company's business units with approximately 900 employees.

“The region's growing top area for tech growth is being fueled by an influx of companies from other cities, due to a supportive business climate, low operating costs and access to a large, talented workforce,” Lewis tells GlobeSt.com.

State Farm

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Companies Focus on Quality of Life to Attract Talent

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