Visit Gila Bend Arizona - Arizona's Solar Capital
The nation's leader in the creation of a modern, renewable energy grid
Gila Bend sits at the crossroads of Southwest Arizona on Interstate 8 at the intersection of State Route 85.Gila Bend is fast becoming known as the nation's leader in the creation of a modern, renewable energy grid.
Calgon-Carbon GRAND OPENING: April 24, 2013
If you didn't have the opportunity to attend Calgon-Carbon's Grand Opening event of their new carbon recycling plant on Butterfield Trail you're able to take a virtual tour of the facility by viewing the photo album above.
Legislative and city dignitaries and representatives from numerous State councils and Arizona cities gathered together in an air-conditioned tent to celebrate the dedication of a state-of-the-art activated carbon custom reactivation facility in Gila Bend, Arizona, Wednesday, April 24th. The plant’s owner-operator, Calgon Carbon, will be reactivating (recycling) carbon used by water treatment facilities to purify drinking water in communities including Phoenix, Scottsdale and Glendale.
Gila Bend Mayor Ron Henry, Arizona Commerce Authority Keith Watkins, and John Krueger from the Greater Phoenix Economic Council joined Calgon Carbon in dedicating the new facility. Timothy Rupert, one of Calgon Carbon’s board of directors, introduced Randy Dearth, Calgon Carbons president and CEO. Dirth explained how the project took two years alone in planning and development.
"Clean, safe drinking water is essential to sustaining growth and economic prosperity," explained Dearth. "With this new plant, we’ll be able to efficiently provide high-quality reactivated carbon to water treatment facilities in the greater Phoenix area and throughout the Southwest. We’re proud to be a member of this community and to provide a service that will increase job opportunities and promote environmental responsibility in the region."
Dirth added that the company has hired 25 people, many of whom were seen working around the plant during the event. As Calgon Carbon expands the plant they intend to hire approximately 62 more people. “A lot of work, commitment and cooperation went into seeing this plant become a realization and we look forward to serving this community for years to come.”
Following a ribbon cutting ceremony, in which Town Mayor, Ron Henry participated, Jeremy Dolan, the plant’s operator and manager, invited guests to put on a safety helmet and safety glasses and join him for an interesting tour of the plant
Gila Bend Mayor Ron Henry, Arizona Commerce Authority Keith Watkins, and John Krueger from the Greater Phoenix Economic Council joined Calgon Carbon in dedicating the new facility. Timothy Rupert, one of Calgon Carbon’s board of directors, introduced Randy Dearth, Calgon Carbons president and CEO. Dirth explained how the project took two years alone in planning and development.
"Clean, safe drinking water is essential to sustaining growth and economic prosperity," explained Dearth. "With this new plant, we’ll be able to efficiently provide high-quality reactivated carbon to water treatment facilities in the greater Phoenix area and throughout the Southwest. We’re proud to be a member of this community and to provide a service that will increase job opportunities and promote environmental responsibility in the region."
Dirth added that the company has hired 25 people, many of whom were seen working around the plant during the event. As Calgon Carbon expands the plant they intend to hire approximately 62 more people. “A lot of work, commitment and cooperation went into seeing this plant become a realization and we look forward to serving this community for years to come.”
Following a ribbon cutting ceremony, in which Town Mayor, Ron Henry participated, Jeremy Dolan, the plant’s operator and manager, invited guests to put on a safety helmet and safety glasses and join him for an interesting tour of the plant
APS Announces 32 MW Gila Bend Solar Power Plant Project
Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) has selected Black & Veatch to design and build a new solar photovoltaic facility – the 32-megawatt Gila Bend Solar Power Plant, part of the APS AZ Sun Program.
Construction will begin in October 2013 with project completion expected in June 2014. The nine-month project will bring more than 150 jobs to Arizona.
“The Gila Bend Plant is just one more example of APS’s commitment to solar energy. APS-owned, utility-scale solar is good for customers, the solar industry and the state of Arizona,” said Barbara Lockwood, APS General Manager of Energy Innovation. “The Gila Bend Plant, just like all of our solar facilities, is being built by a third-party solar developer. Black & Veatch was selected through a competitive bidding process, helping to ensure a cost-effective price for our customers. In addition, this project is bringing significant economic benefits to Arizona, including high-quality jobs.”
Located on 400 acres in Gila Bend, Ariz., the project will have more than 170,000 single-axis tracker polycrystalline modules that will generate enough solar energy to power 8,000 Arizona homes and businesses. The single-axis tracker design enables the solar panels to follow the sun across the sky.
“APS is a leader in solar development in Arizona – providing opportunities for solar developers and installers, creating valuable jobs for the industry and helping to create a sustainable energy future for their customers,” said Dean Oskvig, President and CEO, B&V Energy, Black & Veatch. “Black & Veatch has been involved in nearly half the utility-scale photovoltaic plants currently operating in North America. We will bring this expertise to what will be the second largest plant under the AZ Sun program to date.”
The Gila Bend Plant will be the seventh AZ Sun facility to break ground. With AZ Sun, APS is investing in the development of photovoltaic power plants across the state. APS currently has 86 MW of AZ Sun in service, along with 64 MW under construction or in development. AZ Sun is one piece of APS’s diverse solar portfolio, which includes third-party owned power purchase agreements, utility-scale APS owned facilities and customer-owned rooftop installations.
APS, Arizona’s largest and longest-serving electricity utility, serves more than 1.1 million customers in 11 of the state’s 15 counties. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (NYSE: PNW).
Construction will begin in October 2013 with project completion expected in June 2014. The nine-month project will bring more than 150 jobs to Arizona.
“The Gila Bend Plant is just one more example of APS’s commitment to solar energy. APS-owned, utility-scale solar is good for customers, the solar industry and the state of Arizona,” said Barbara Lockwood, APS General Manager of Energy Innovation. “The Gila Bend Plant, just like all of our solar facilities, is being built by a third-party solar developer. Black & Veatch was selected through a competitive bidding process, helping to ensure a cost-effective price for our customers. In addition, this project is bringing significant economic benefits to Arizona, including high-quality jobs.”
Located on 400 acres in Gila Bend, Ariz., the project will have more than 170,000 single-axis tracker polycrystalline modules that will generate enough solar energy to power 8,000 Arizona homes and businesses. The single-axis tracker design enables the solar panels to follow the sun across the sky.
“APS is a leader in solar development in Arizona – providing opportunities for solar developers and installers, creating valuable jobs for the industry and helping to create a sustainable energy future for their customers,” said Dean Oskvig, President and CEO, B&V Energy, Black & Veatch. “Black & Veatch has been involved in nearly half the utility-scale photovoltaic plants currently operating in North America. We will bring this expertise to what will be the second largest plant under the AZ Sun program to date.”
The Gila Bend Plant will be the seventh AZ Sun facility to break ground. With AZ Sun, APS is investing in the development of photovoltaic power plants across the state. APS currently has 86 MW of AZ Sun in service, along with 64 MW under construction or in development. AZ Sun is one piece of APS’s diverse solar portfolio, which includes third-party owned power purchase agreements, utility-scale APS owned facilities and customer-owned rooftop installations.
APS, Arizona’s largest and longest-serving electricity utility, serves more than 1.1 million customers in 11 of the state’s 15 counties. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (NYSE: PNW).
Thanks to the generous sponsors of this year's Butterfield Stage Days Rodeo
Thank you to Care1st Health Plan of Arizona for their sponsorship of today's Rodeo. Care1st is an AHCCCS and Medicare Health Maintenance Organization providing AHCCCS and Medicare services to Maricopa County and a proud member of the Gila Bend Chamber of Commerce.If you have not yet been to the Family Resource Center, please visit. The Center offers information and assistance regarding Health-AHCCCS applications-Social Security-Medicare-Early Childhood Development and much more.
Wood Group GTS-PPS manages the Gila River Power Station in Gila Bend and the plant's four gas power facilities produce approximately 2,200-megawatt of electrical power. The Gila River plant is interconnected to the Arizona Public Service (APS) electrical network and provides access to energy markets throughout the southwest.
Located at 3006 Butterfield Trail in Gila Bend. Exit 119 off I-8. The RV park has 24 lots and accommodates RVs up to 80 ft. Has dump station, bathroom/laundry facilities and 19 large pull through sites; 30/50 amp service, water and sewer available. Free Wireless Internet, phone, gas, ice, propane, picnic area, restaurant, and store. An 80ft certified commercial scale available to weigh RVs and trailers. Located 1 mile from Gila BendCall (928) 683-244 for info.
Crane Trucking Co. is located at 22904 W Southern Ave. in Buckeye, AZ 85326. You can reach them by calling (623) 386-1291.
Keeping cotton in Arizona! Located in Buckeye, Arizona. They may be reached at (623) 386-4410.
Gila Bend Chamber Supports Quiet Zone
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Whats Happening in Maricopa County?
During the Chamber of Commerce's December meeting guest speaker Eric Fitzer, the Town's Economic Development Director, discussed the Quiet Zone program in Gila Bend. Endorsed by the Gila Bend Chamber of Commerce, the Quiet Zone program involves the silencing of train horns at the Martin railway crossing. Customers of the hotels and restaurants along Pima near the Martin crossing should notice a considerable difference in the decreased noise levels. With an average of 35 trains running a day, statistics indicate that the Union Pacific Railway, the line that runs through Gila Bend, is the second busiest in the country; the first being the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway that traverses through Flagstaff.
Quiet Zone cont.
Several members of the Chamber, many of whom have businesses near the Martin Avenue crossing, expressed their concerns to Chamber directors and it was shared with members of the Town Council. "Having stayed frequently in Flagstaff I can vouch for the huge difference the Quiet Zone has made for that city," said Steve Holt, who is the Chamber's current president and serves on the Town Coucil.
Beginning in November 2011 representatives from the Pacific Railway, Arizona Department of Transportation, Arizona Corporation Commission, the Federal Rail Association and Town's staff reviewed the Martin Avenue crossing for train and vehicular visibility, existing signage and gates and the amount of traffic crossing the tracks on a daily basis.
Fitzer clarified that while the Martin Avenue crossing will be designated a Quiet Zone, "Engineers who feel there's eminent danger will have the right to sound the horns for safety. The Quiet Zone is a guiding principle and depends on the engineer's comfort level."
The project entails removing existing obstacles and adding signage, striping and a 6-inch high median 10 feet from the tracks. "It's a simple project and won't take long to complete." The estimated $36,000 project will be funded by the Town.
Several members of the Chamber, many of whom have businesses near the Martin Avenue crossing, expressed their concerns to Chamber directors and it was shared with members of the Town Council. "Having stayed frequently in Flagstaff I can vouch for the huge difference the Quiet Zone has made for that city," said Steve Holt, who is the Chamber's current president and serves on the Town Coucil.
Beginning in November 2011 representatives from the Pacific Railway, Arizona Department of Transportation, Arizona Corporation Commission, the Federal Rail Association and Town's staff reviewed the Martin Avenue crossing for train and vehicular visibility, existing signage and gates and the amount of traffic crossing the tracks on a daily basis.
Fitzer clarified that while the Martin Avenue crossing will be designated a Quiet Zone, "Engineers who feel there's eminent danger will have the right to sound the horns for safety. The Quiet Zone is a guiding principle and depends on the engineer's comfort level."
The project entails removing existing obstacles and adding signage, striping and a 6-inch high median 10 feet from the tracks. "It's a simple project and won't take long to complete." The estimated $36,000 project will be funded by the Town.
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