March 13, 2024 Economic Development Advisory Board Minutes
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Page 1 MINUTES OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD OF THE CITY OF CHANDLER, ARIZONA, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2024, HELD IN-PERSON AT CHANDLER CITY HALL, 175 S. ARIZONA AVE., CHANDLER, ARIZONA. Board Present: Cecilia Ashe, Chairwoman Nick Woodruff, Vice-Chair Micah Miranda, Secretary Neil Calfee, Board Member Julie Graham, Board Member Ron Hardin, Board Member Jacob Knudsen, Board Member Rommie Mojahed, Board Member Ryan Smith, Board Member Mike Spangenberg, Board Member Terri Kimble, Ex-Officio Board Absent: Jennifer Hewitt, Board Member Brent Menzel, Board Member Karla Moran, Board Member Dan Serrano, Board Member Kari Zurn, Board Member Joshua Wright, Ex-Officio Others Present Andy Bass, Deputy City Manager Kimberly Janes, Economic Development Edyie McCall, Economic Development Joe Abeita, Economic Development Chandler Escalante, Economic Development Chelsey Faggiano, Economic Development Ryan Kaup, Economic Development Odette Moore, Economic Development Caly Strickler, Economic Development Michael Winer, Economic Development Dawn Castle, Arizona State University Brett Kennedy, Arizona State University Kristine Slice, Arizona State University 1. Call to Order/Roll Call Ms. Cecilia Ashe called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m. 2. Approval of Minutes Mr. Ryan Smith made a motion to approve the minutes from Wednesday, September 13, 2023. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mike Spangenberg. Minutes approved unanimously. 3. Action Items None Page 2 4. Briefing Items A. ASU Chandler Innovation Center Spring 2024 Update Representatives from Arizona State University (ASU) provided the board with an update on utilization of the ASU Chandler Innovation Center facility (ACIC). They discussed the university’s investments in ACIC and how it is intended to serve as a university-wide, City of Chandler, and community resource. They then provided details on how the facility has supported ASU students and faculty, local organizations in need of meeting space, and entrepreneurs looking for resources to start or grow their business. To date, ACIC has hosted: • 399 meetings and events, welcoming over 7,530 attendees • 40 local ventures and entrepreneurs • 510 fabrication shop users • 5 ASU Classes with nearly 70 students They then focused on the Chandler Endeavor Venture Innovation Incubator program and major milestones since July 2023: • Fall open cohort completed, focused on market validation • Spring open cohort launched, focused on securing funding • First Venture Challenge pitch competition had 33 ventures apply and winners received funded provided by local investor • Mission Crews launched for ventures in software as a service (SaaS) and niche consumer products sectors to receive access to additional mentors, technical resources and ongoing support. • 5 advanced ventures have been provided dedicated office space B. ASU Economic Development Update Mr. Neil Calfee, Executive Director of Economic Development and Innovation Zones at ASU, provided an update on current university projects and how the university is helping to grow the economy in collaboration with cities/towns and regional economic development organizations. Mr. Calfee began by highlighting how ASU contributes to Arizona’s workforce. He stated more than 55% of ASU graduates stay in Arizona for employment. He attributed this to ASU’s efforts to build pathways to future employment, including unique partnerships and programs with employers ranging in size from small businesses to industry giants. He then provided examples of how ASU is involved in corporate engagement, showcasing a few of the external partner programs. Mr. Calfee then discussed ASU’s leadership in Microelectronics and how the 250,000-square-foot MacroTechnology Works facility has become a regional Page 3 asset for business attraction and retention. He said the facility was also key to ASU being awarded a federal CHIPS Act grant for the Southwest Advanced Prototyping (SWAP) Hub, an ASU-led initiative to accelerate microelectronics research efforts in partnership with nearly 70 corporate, startup, academic, and national lab organizations from the semiconductor and defense sectors throughout the Southwest. Mr. Calfee concluded with an overview of additional resources provided by ASU that are available to the community at-large. 5. Advisory Boardmember Comments None. 6. Next Meeting Ms. Ashe announced the next Economic Development Advisory Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. A calendar invite will be sent to all board members in advance. 7. Adjournment Ms. Ashe adjourned the meeting at 10:01a.m. Respectfully Submitted, ________________________________ Cecilia Ashe, Chairwoman ________________________________ Micah Miranda, Board Secretary