Pinal County Project News

[xymox]

Originally Posted by Obadno

More Nikoli News: https://azbigmedia.com/nikola-motor-...ing-2000-jobs/

Its great they have the land - but when are they going to break ground? This and Lucid could be a great core for more auto industry for Pinal county - but until dirt moves its all another dream.

[Obadno]

Well it looks like these are actually going to happen.

These two factories will completely change Casa Grande and likely lead to the mythical linkage of Phoenix and Tucson's metro areas.

https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/...ns-hiring.html

Lucid Motors USA Inc., the Menlo Park, California-based electric car startup looking to compete with Tesla Inc., has submitted a site plan and started hiring for its planned $700 million auto manufacturing facility in Casa Grande.

The Casa Grande Planning and Zoning Commission approved Lucid’s major site plan and conditional-use permit at its Oct. 3 meeting.

The project's first phase will have two buildings totaling 820,000 square feet and support structures for utilities, waste management, security and storage. Future phases will expand these uses and add a customer experience center.

Lucid will build its facility on 496 acres on the southwest corner of Thornton and Peters roads. The conditional-use permit is for a 10-foot block wall to create a buffer around the existing homes on Peters Road.

Lucid plans to commercially launch its first electric vehicle, the Lucid Air, in 2020. The vehicle, which aims to compete against Tesla's Model S and other luxury vehicles, will have a 400-mile range.

After Lucid first announced plans for its Casa Grande facility in November 2016, the startup received a $1 billion investment from Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia to help it produce its first electric cars.

Lucid has more than 20 open positions listed in Casa Grande, including a facilities project manager, metrologist/quality control dimensional manager, senior IT infrastructure project lead and senior manager of human resources.

By 2022, Lucid said it anticipates having more than 2,000 full-time employees working onsite in Casa Grande.

Employees can expect “competitive salaries and meaningful equity,” as well as “providing a community for the brilliant minds who want to make an immediate and significant impact," according to the company

Lucid isn't the only alternative fuel vehicle manufacturer setting up shop in central Arizona. Nikola Motor Co. plans to build a $1 billion, 2,000-job manufacturing plant in Coolidge for its hydrogen-electric semi trucks.

Both Nikola and Lucid are working through applications to receive foreign trade zone status for their planned vehicle manufacturing facilities. The status could save the companies millions of dollars in various tax and customs benefits.

[combusean]

It's bizarre seeing Arizona grow an auto industry.

Looks like they might have picked the site because of its rail access. It will be quite the site seeing freight trains full of cars being loaded and rolling around.

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by combusean

It's bizarre seeing Arizona grow an auto industry.

Looks like they might have picked the site because of its rail access. It will be quite the site seeing freight trains full of cars being loaded and rolling around.

Yeah between the self driving cars (which have a supply chain for Radar/LIDAR/Software/optics etc etc) and these new electric plants which will have some serious industrial supply chain its a nice new little sector for the state to diversify with.

Needless to say the 5 "C"'s we had to learn in school are totally out the window.

[Classical in Phoenix]

Press clipping on Lucid.

https://lucidmotors.com/stories/cons...ction-20191106

[nickw252]

Lucid Motors released today an update, announcing that construction of its production facility at the Casa Grande, Arizona is underway!

https://insideevs.com/news/380833/lu...izona-factory/

[Classical in Phoenix]

Slow thread day; here's a tweet on the Lucid groundbreaking.

NOW Arizona Gov. ⁦@dougducey⁩ & Sonora Gov. Claudia Pavlovich at groundbreaking for new ⁦@Lucid_Motors⁩ electric-car plant in Casa Grande AZ #12News https://t.co/SaRRGwL0Ex

[xymox]

Originally Posted by Classical in Phoenix

Slow thread day; here's a tweet on the Lucid groundbreaking.

NOW Arizona Gov. ⁦@dougducey⁩ & Sonora Gov. Claudia Pavlovich at groundbreaking for new ⁦@Lucid_Motors⁩ electric-car plant in Casa Grande AZ #12News https://t.co/SaRRGwL0Ex

Which will open first - the Lucid Plant or the Pier?

[Mr.RE]

Originally Posted by xymox

Which will open first - the Lucid Plant or the Pier?

my money is on Lucid!

[Obadno]

We might need to change the name of this thread!

http://azbex.com/attesa-submits-fina...-pinal-county/

Danrick Builders has announced the design of its primary international road race circuit has been finalized and site plans submitted to Pinal County to initiate permitting. All land use entitlements are secured and construction of the new track, Arizona International Raceway @ Attesa will begin immediately upon county approvals.

Attesa is Danrick Builder’s master-planned motorsports, entertainment and advanced technology research community located 43 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The 2,355-acre property is within the metro Phoenix area just south of Casa Grande, and an hour from Arizona’s second largest city, Tucson. Attesa is an anchor of Pinal County’s burgeoning advanced technology corridor in central Arizona.

“The Phase 1 pro track will be 16-turns and 2.65 miles long,” said Dan Erickson, Managing Partner, “built to Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) standards with multiple configurations and significant elevation changes. Phase 2 will expand the pro circuit to 4.25 miles and add a high-performance driving school and skid pad, closed-course off-road track plus testing facilities for manufacturers, racing teams and aftermarket suppliers.”

“Arizona International Raceway @ Attesa will also have a membership club including clubhouse, private garages, residential opportunities, an RV park and more.” he added. “When finished, AIR will have three different circuits, all able to be used at the same time, each able to be raced in both directions. This is important as there are half dozen amateur Arizona sports car and motorcycle racing organizations that need a permanent home track.”

“The racers demand options and different track layouts. We’re going to deliver.” Said Erickson. “And we’ll be the only other track besides ISM Raceway, a NASCAR oval, that is permanently zoned for racing. Our club members and guests will have no worries about sound restrictions, hours of operation or losing an investment due to a cancelled use permit.”

England’s Apex Circuit Design Ltd is the award-winning, internationally recognized facility (track) and destination design firm responsible for the new complex at Attesa. With a primary focus on the design of FIA and FIM approved circuits, both temporary (street) and permanent, Apex has worked on more than 140 projects on six continents and boasts over 20 operating facilities for Formula 1, MotoGP, World Rallycross, karting and other types of racing. They are working hand-in-hand with Attesa’s local engineering partner, HILGARTWILSON, on design and construction documents.

The track is being carved from flat farmland and a massive amount of dirt will be moved to create the desired elevation changes to maximize the fan and driver experience. The state’s largest earthwork contractors estimate it will take six months just for site work and grading, as more than a million cubic yards of dirt will have to be excavated. “That’s enough to fill up every pro sports stadium in Arizona plus all the college stadiums,” Erickson said.

Danrick Builders applied for a Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA) in spring 2016 and the entitlement process was completed in January 2019, but groundbreaking has been delayed by a hold on certificates for an assured water supply needed to subdivide in Pinal County.

Conceived as a place for people to live, work and play, Attesa will feature single family homes, townhomes and apartments, industrial/commerce space and a concert/public event venue in addition to the racetracks. Ultimate plans include a luxury resort hotel and convention center, a retail and entertainment district as well as an airpark and private airport with FBO services, domestic utilities and public safety facilities.

[combusean]

Spending way too much time on train-related articles on WP got me thinking about the Lucid plant and its rail infrastructure. The site plans do not disappoint.

https://www.theverge.com/tldr/2019/9...a-saudi-arabia

[Obadno]

Interesting use of our massive oversupply of LNG:

https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/...sa-grande.html

https://nacero.co/

A Houston company plans to build a $3 billion facility in Casa Grande that will make gasoline out of natural gas.

Nacero Inc. announced Tuesday it plans to produce 35,000 barrels daily of gasoline the company claims will have a smaller carbon footprint than traditional gasoline. The company said in announcing plans for the plant that its manufacturing process does not produce the byproducts of crude oil refining.

According to the company, the gasoline produced by the plant will avoid the introduction of 5.2 million tons of carbon dioxide per year into the atmosphere.

“By making an environmentally superior gasoline from natural gas, Nacero will enable drivers to keep their cars and help the planet,” said Jay McKenna, CEO of Nacero, in a statement. “Using existing vehicles, markets, infrastructure and technology enables Nacero to quickly and predictably create large-scale benefits.”

The plant will create about 2,000 construction jobs and 265 permanent jobs.

According to Nacero's announcement, the manufacturing process produces 2.5 gallons of water per gallon of gasoline produced, so the plant will self-generate 80% of its own water. The other 20% will come from the city’s wastewater treatment plant. The land where the plant will be built is an alfalfa field, which uses more water than the plant will take out of the wastewater treatment plant. The site also will contain a solar power plant.

“Nacero's investment is three times larger than any other investment made in Pinal County, and because it is net water positive, will be an asset to our aquifer,” Pinal County Supervisor Stephen Miller said in a statement.

Construction on the plant is expected to begin in 2021 and be completed by 2025. It will be built on 1,000 acres and will be the company’s first facility, according to the company website. The gasoline is not yet available for customers.

The gasoline will not contain sulfur, which will cause catalytic converters to be more effective in removing nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds, the company said.

“We are very proud that Nacero has selected Casa Grande, Arizona, as the home for this first-in-the-nation, high-tech manufacturing facility,” said Sandra Watson, Arizona Commerce Authority President and CEO, in a statement. “This is a truly incredible project that further advances Arizona’s reputation as a global hub for innovation.”

The plant is the latest in a series of manufacturing efforts in Pinal County to bring in new transportation technologies. Electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid Motors Inc. is developing a $700 million manufacturing plant in Casa Grande, where it plans to begin making its Lucid Air sedan. Elsewhere in Pinal County, vehicle manufacturer Nikola Corp. is planning its own manufacturing plant in Coolidge to build hydrogen electric cars and trucks.

[combusean]

How do they get the gas there?

[xymox]

Originally Posted by combusean

How do they get the gas there?

I'd imagine via one of the large NG lines that run through the area...

http://arizonageology.blogspot.com/2...n-arizona.html

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by combusean

How do they get the gas there?

Same way you get gas to yourself. Trucks, Trains and pipelines.

[Obadno]

GROUND BROKEN ON NIKOLA FACTORY!!!!!!!!!!

https://azbigmedia.com/real-estate/n...y-in-coolidge/

Nikola Corporation, a Phoenix-based global transportation leader in zero-emissions and infrastructure solutions, is one step closer to bringing a 1 million-square-foot manufacturing facility to Coolidge, Ariz. following an official groundbreaking ceremony on its approximate 430-acre parcel.

The ceremony included speakers from Nikola’s executive team Trevor Milton, founder and executive chairman; Mark Russell, CEO; and Mark Duchesne, global head of manufacturing. Coolidge Mayor Jon Thompson along with business leaders Chris Camacho, CEO of Greater Phoenix Economic Council; Jackob Andersen, CEO, Saint Holding; and via video, Sandra Watson, president and chief executive officer, Arizona Commerce Authority, also joined in the celebration.

“This has been an incredible journey for Nikola Corporation. We started in our basement six years ago and now we are kicking off this 1 million-square-foot manufacturing facility,” said Trevor Milton, Nikola founder and executive chairman. “The residents of Coolidge will be a huge part of the Nikola story and without the help of Governor Ducey and the Arizona economic development teams, this project would not have been possible in Arizona. These next 12-months will be even more exciting as we see this facility go up and as we add more Arizonans to the Nikola team.”

Located off U.S. Highway 87 at east Houser Rd and Vail Rd, the future 4.0 designed facility will incorporate the latest technology to increase connectivity 24/7 throughout the building and equipment to optimize overall energy, productivity and quality.

“The reason our company exists is in support of a sustainable future so everything we do in our manufacturing process and our building site will be done to ensure the smallest environmental footprint possible while making the highest quality, high tech products that will impact the sustainability of the planet,” said Mark Duchesne, Nikola global head of manufacturing.

The first phase of construction is scheduled for completion in late 2021, with the second phase projected to be complete within the following 12-18 months. The U.S.-based facility represents a capital investment of approximately $600 million (USD) and will initially produce the Nikola Tre and Nikola Two. At full production, the facility will reach approximately 35,000 units annually, running two shifts. The first Nikola Tre trucks will be produced in Ulm, Germany with partner IVECO, followed shortly after by our Coolidge facility.

After an 18-month national site search of various locations around the United States, led by Tom Stringer at BDO and Saint Holdings, Nikola selected Coolidge for its outstanding industrial infrastructure within the region. The decision was also further solidified by the tireless support of the state, county and city, as well as the breadth of talent, year-round sunshine conducive to renewable energy, and the infrastructure available to scale with the ambitious plans and growth trajectory Nikola has set forth.

“Arizona is the best state in the nation for cutting-edge companies to make their mark,” said Governor Ducey. “Nikola’s new plant in Coolidge will produce its zero-emissions Class 8 semi-trucks and create thousands of new jobs. Congratulations to the Nikola team on breaking ground and I look forward to the continued success.”

“Nikola Corporation will be a welcomed addition to Coolidge providing thousands of jobs while manufacturing environmentally friendly vehicles,” said Coolidge Mayor Jon Thompson. “We’re proud to be a part of this history paving future in transportation.”

[fawd]

Originally Posted by Obadno

GROUND BROKEN ON NIKOLA FACTORY!!!!!!!!!!

https://azbigmedia.com/real-estate/n...y-in-coolidge/

This is a pretty big deal, actually!

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by fawd

This is a pretty big deal, actually!

Its actually very interesting, Arizona and Sonora have built a nice and rapidly growing symbiotic vehicle parts industry for both automobiles and aerospace. Thats why we have continued to get expansions for things like Caterpillar, these electric car companies, self driving vehicles, and obviously Honeywell, Ratheon etc.

Nice little next gen automobile industry, except no longer so little

[fawd]

Originally Posted by Obadno

[xymox]

Originally Posted by Obadno

Its actually very interesting, Arizona and Sonora have built a nice and rapidly growing symbiotic vehicle parts industry for both automobiles and aerospace. Thats why we have continued to get expansions for things like Caterpillar, these electric car companies, self driving vehicles, and obviously Honeywell, Ratheon etc.

Nice little next gen automobile industry, except no longer so little

Too bad we can’t get Tesla to move their Fremont factory to Pinal County. Seems like their would be some synergy between Lucid, Nikola and Tesla in terms of building a labor pool, etc.