Aerospace & Aviation
Nestled within the nation’s fourth-largest aerospace market, Gilbert, Arizona, offers an ideal location for firms of any size looking to expand or relocate. The presence of many of the world’s largest aerospace and defense (A&D) companies in Greater Phoenix highlights the region’s significance. The growth of the commercial space sector further underscores the market’s potential for aerospace research and development. Greater Phoenix boasts an ecosystem that supports both established and emerging A&D firms, with access to Arizona’s robust supply chain, extensive military assets, and prime geographic location, ensuring operational success.
Industry Overview
Arizona is home to more than 1,200 aerospace and defense companies employing more than 40,000 people.
Arizona offers both Foreign Trade Zone and Military Re-Use Zone incentives, which can provide the lowest effective tax rates available anywhere.
Greater Phoenix offers aviation-specific property tax abatement as one of its many business tax credits and other economic development programs. Plus with 330 Visual Flight Rules (VFR) days for easy flying and four airports with runways more than 7,000 feet, Gilbert is a great market that caters to both aerospace and aviation.
16,385
$121,920
2%
31.7%
Source: Lightcast Q3 2024
ADVANTAGEOUS BUSINESS CLIMATE
Companies benefit from a pro-business climate that offers low business costs and no corporate franchise tax or business inventory tax. Click here to learn more.
EDUCATION ASSETS
Gilbert offers prime access to top-tier schools and prestigious universities, all designed to equip a skilled workforce for the high-demand careers of today and the future. With cutting-edge K-12 programs and proximity to higher education institutions dedicated to research and development, Gilbert stands out as an exceptional place for learning and growth. Click here to learn more.
MARKET ACCESS
Gilbert offers a multimodal transportation network that provides access to clients, workforce, and supply chains enhancing logistic capabilities and reducing operational costs. Click here to learn more.
ENHANCED PERMITTING SERVICES
Gilbert takes a proactive approach to plan review and permitting, offering programs like express permitting expedited plan review, at-risk plan review, self certification, and more. Click here to learn more.
“Our Gilbert location is integral because it is tied to a legacy business started here. The abundance of technical resources in Phoenix’s East Valley, most notably the specialized workforce from the progressive STEM education initiatives, give this area a significant advantage over other competitive markets in the science and technology industries.”
Recent Expansions in Gilbert
Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman’s Gilbert Campus produces satellites for a variety of domestic and international customers. The most recent expansion of the Gilbert, Arizona campus added 120,000 sq. ft to the existing 135,000 sq. ft. facility, nearly doubling the site’s production capacity to meet the company’s growing backlog of satellite orders.