A decade of excellence: GPEC awarded as top EDO for 10th year in a row

Published: 07/01/2026

Site Selection Magazine has named GPEC a top economic development organization in the Mac Conway Awards each year since 2016

PHOENIX (July 1, 2026) — Over the course of the last decade, the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) has stood out as a leader in economic development.

For the 10th year in a row, GPEC has been named a top economic development organization in the United States by Site Selection Magazine. The organization has been recognized as such each year since 2016, when the award name was changed to the Mac Conway Award for Excellence in Economic Development.

“Thinking back on the growth of the last 10 years is truly astounding. When we were embarking on our post-recession economic development strategy in the mid-2010s, we envisioned a diverse, resilient marketplace that withstands economic threats and leverages technology for future-focused advancement. Since then, Greater Phoenix has built new industry bases, attracted record-breaking investments, and proven its ability to maintain a strong economy in the face of national and global uncertainty. GPEC is proud of the work we’ve done and are honored to share this decade of recognition with our partners around the region who have made it possible,” said GPEC President & CEO Christine Mackay.

In winning the Mac Conway Award, GPEC was recognized among 20 EDOs that best contributed to the growth of its respective community. Criteria for this award are based on business expansion, capital investment, Milken Institute’s Best Performing Cities Index, and this year for the first time, talent data from Lightcast.

In the 2025 calendar year, GPEC supported the expansion or relocation efforts of 47 companies to Greater Phoenix, which created more than 7,200 jobs and over $7.6 billion in capital investment. These companies include Mayo Clinic, China Airlines, Hadrian, Sprouts Farmers Market, Cognite, Busch Vacuum Solutions and Walmart. The organization surpassed 200,000 jobs created in February 2026, an impressive milestone for GPEC’s economic development efforts.

Lightcast ranked Arizona as the seventh-best state for talent attraction on its 2025 Talent Attraction Scorecard.

In line with GPEC’s three-year strategic plan (FY26-FY28), the organization will continue expanding on efforts to establish a recognizable market brand centered around future-focused infrastructure and investment, strengths in advanced technologies, and a deep talent base prepared for the next economic cycle.