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When people think of therapy, they often picture themselves talking to a counselor while lying on a couch in an office. While this type of talk therapy can be effective, some people prefer other methods. EMDR therapy in Buckeye, AZ, is an option for those dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, and other issues. Though different from traditional modalities, many patients reshape their lives and reclaim their well-being with the help of EMDR therapist Christy Maxey. If you have difficulty expressing your thoughts and feelings verbally, EMDR therapy could be a helpful alternative.
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Healing That Helps You Get Unstuck

Every person grows and learns in different ways. To that point, every counselor or guide has their own techniques and exercises to help clients. Not every method is effective for everyone, but with the right guidance, you can defeat your inner demons and recapture your life. That's where Christy Maxey thrives.
Christy is a trauma EMDR coach dedicated to empowering people with the knowledge of true self-love. She aims to help men and women overcome negative self-talk and patterns and finally live the fulfilling life they deserve. Christy has a special focus on supporting women who experience anxiety, depression, lack of self-trust, people-pleasing, and feelings of inadequacy. Additionally, she's an expert in helping men who are navigating anger, stress, and relationship challenges.

If you have received help from therapists and life coaches in the past but find yourself falling back into the same patterns as before, know that you're not alone. The simple truth could be that whatever problem you were trying to face was left unresolved.
Essentially, you cut the top of the weed, but you didn't pull out the entire root. In a sense, you put a band-aid on a serious wound when you needed more comprehensive, specialized treatment. Unlike many life coaches, Christy Maxey aims to solve the root cause of your mental and physical symptoms. By addressing the cause of your issues, you can reclaim your life and move forward without the baggage you've carried for so long. Take it from us - it's an incredible feeling!
Some of the most common problems that Christy helps solve for patients include:
- Difficulty Dealing with the Emotional Content at the Center of Their Problems
- A Lack of Resistance to and Awareness of "What Is"
- Fear and Uncertainty About Making Changes
- Fear of Getting Compassionate Help and Guidance
- Believing False Narratives Associated with Past Traumas and Experiences
What is EMDR Therapy in Buckeye, AZ?

EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a technique that assists people in recovering from the effects of distressing life experiences, such as emotional distress and symptoms.
Created by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987 as a treatment method for post-traumatic stress disorder, EMDR is an evidence-based treatment approach that provides both trauma-informed treatment and treatment protocol. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR employs bilateral stimulation to replicate the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase of sleep. In fact, EMDR treatments have shown that the mind can heal from psychological trauma faster than traditional talk therapy.
Traumatic events often lead to negative beliefs and emotions, such as shame, anger, and sadness. EMDR enables your brain to reprocess such events, promoting healing, well-being, and positivity in patients.
If you're wondering whether or not EMDR treatment from Christy Maxey might be a good choice for you and your family, ask yourself these questions:
- Do You Feel Stuck in Your Life?
- Do You Find Yourself Stuck Feeling the Same Types of Fear, Sadness, or Anxiety?
- Have You Grown Accustomed to a Negative Inner Critic?
- Do You Feel Stuck with Feelings of Shame from Past Mistakes or Traumas?
- Are You Always Repeating the Same Patterns in Relationships? Too Nice, Too Accepting, Avoidant, Easy to Get Triggered, Etc.?
- Is Your Brain Full of Self-Doubt and Harmful Self-Talk?


How Does EMDR Therapy Work?

Once it's agreed that EMDR therapy is suitable for you, your initial sessions involve discussing your goals and enhancing your ability to cope with stress. In the following phases of EMDR therapy, you concentrate on a specific event or focus on a negative image, belief, emotion, or bodily sensation related to the event. You then focus on a positive belief indicating that the issue has been resolved.
While you're focused on the upsetting event, Christy begins sets of side-to-side eye movements, sounds, or taps. After each set, you are guided to observe what comes to mind. Shifts in insight or changes in images, feelings, or beliefs about the event may occur. It should be noted that you can stop therapy at any moment if necessary. The sets of eye movements, sounds, or taps will be repeated until distress caused by the event decreases. EMDR therapy can be used as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with other forms of therapy offered through the Maxx Method.
To help paint you a picture of how EMDR therapy works, think of it like a cast for a broken bone. Unlike other forms of therapy, however, EMDR can be more uncomfortable than traditional treatments. It's important to be ready for possible emotional exhaustion afterward. To cope, you can create a relaxing playlist and plan some activities to unwind. Once the sessions are finished, take some time to recharge and decompress.
Who Should Use EMDR Therapy in Buckeye, AZ?

EMDR therapy is something anyone can benefit from. It's not only reserved for people with extreme experiences or traumas. Even mild cases of anxiety and depression can be treated by a trained EMDR coach like Christy Maxey. When you remember something that reminds you of a bad experience, your body might react like it's in danger, even if it's not. This is a normal reaction, but if it keeps happening, it can make you feel really stressed out. With EMDR, you can heal and learn new ways to cope without having to talk about exactly what happened. This can help you feel better and live your life without over-worrying and ruminating on negativity.
If you're one of the many people who have experienced lackluster results from one or more EMDR sessions, it's crucial that you do not give up hope. In fact, many men and women come to Christy Maxey having had poor EMDR experiences. Thankfully, they soon realize how impactful and fulfilling the therapy can be for trauma. That's especially true when combined with other therapies like Inner Child Healing and Guided Visualization. Of course, EMDR therapy in Buckeye, AZ, isn't the best choice for every patient - after all, every person is different and responds to therapies in different ways.
To truly discover if EMDR therapy is the right choice for your mind and body, contact Christy ASAP to schedule your initial consultation. That way, you and Christy can get to know each other better and discover the best ways to promote long-term healing and well-being. With that said, patients choose EMDR treatments for many reasons. Some of the most common reasons for using EMDR therapy include the following:
- Panic Attacks and Anxiety
- PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome)
- Eating Disorders like Bulimia, Anorexia, and More
- Trauma from Abuse and Violence
- Abusive or Violent Relationships
- Rest and Sleep Problems
- Social Anxiety
- Depression
- Childhood Trauma and Abuse
- Anger and Sadness
- Fear of Speaking in Public
- Betrayal and Grief

The Life-Changing Benefits of EMDR Therapy

Though EMDR therapy is more popular than ever, many people are still unaware of its benefits and how life-changing the therapy can be for people who are stuck. If that sounds like you, keep these benefits in mind as you continue to research this amazing therapy choice.

Triumph Over Trauma
Recovering from a traumatic experience can be extremely challenging, but EMDR therapy can provide a solution. Trauma can create triggers that make you feel like you're experiencing the event all over again. EMDR can help reorganize the thoughts, feelings, and experiences associated with the trauma so that you no longer feel controlled by it. While the effects of trauma may never completely disappear, EMDR can significantly reduce its impact on your life and enable you to live in the present without constantly reliving the past.

Enhance Your Mental Fortitude
Achieving personal growth involves accepting one's identity, building self-esteem, and understanding the internal narratives that shape our daily experiences. EMDR and guided therapeutic processing can help create a peaceful, efficient, and confident setting for individuals to accept their past and move forward. This therapeutic process empowers individuals, providing them with the strength and courage to confront any obstacle that impedes their well-being.

Reshape Your Life
During EMDR therapy sessions, traumatic events are broken down, enabling patients to gain a different perspective on negative events. This altered view can be as life-changing as the traumatic event itself, giving individuals greater control over how they adapt to the effects of trauma.

Overcome Circular Thinking
If you struggle with circular thinking patterns related to anxiety disorders, phobias, or generalized anxiety, EMDR therapy may be helpful. EMDR can assist you in overcoming these thought spirals by teaching you how to deal with your fears and worries without becoming overwhelmed by anxiety.

Understanding the Phases of EMDR Therapy in Buckeye, AZ

According to the EMDR Institute, there are eight phases in traditional EMDR treatment:
The EMDR Institute has identified eight phases of EMDR therapy. These are:
- History and Treatment Planning
- Preparation
- Assessment
- Desensitization
- Installation
- Body scan
- Closure
- Reevaluation

History and Treatment Planning
During the initial stage of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, Christy will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your medical and emotional history and create a treatment plan. This stage involves discussing the particular issue that led you to seek therapy. You'll also identify behaviors and symptoms associated with the issues you're facing. Based on this information, Christy will develop a personalized treatment plan that outlines the goals to be addressed using EMDR therapy in Buckeye, AZ:
- The Traumas or Events Causing Issues
- Present-Day Problems and Traumas Causing Distress
- Healthy Behaviors and Skills Needed for Long-Term Well-Being

Preparation
During this phase, Christy will explain the theory of EMDR, how it is applied, and what you can expect during and after treatment. Christy will then teach you several techniques for relaxation so that you have the tools to calm down in the event of emotional disturbance.
One of the biggest goals of this first phase is to establish trust between you and your EMDR coach. While you don't have to go into great detail about disturbing memories, if you don't trust your therapist, you may not accurately report what is felt and what changes you are or aren't experiencing. If your goal is to please the therapist and say you feel better when you really aren't, no therapy in the world will resolve your trauma.

Assessment
In this phase, you will be prompted to access each target in a controlled manner so it can be effectively processed. Processing does not mean talking about it. From there, Christy identifies different parts of the target to be processed. The first step is for you to select a specific image or mental picture from the target event (identified during Phase One) that best represents the memory.
You then choose a positive statement that you would like to believe. The statement should have an internal sense of control, such as "I am valuable/lovable/a good person/in control" or "I can achieve success." In some cases, when the primary emotion is fear, such as after a natural disaster, the negative thought could be "I am in danger," and the positive thought could be "I am safe now." "I am in danger" is considered a negative thought because fear is no longer necessary, but it is still present in the nervous system. The positive thought should reflect what is appropriate in the present moment.
During this phase, you will also identify negative emotions like anger or fear and physical sensations that you associate with trauma.

Desensitization
This phase of EMDR therapy in Buckeye, AZ, hones in on the disturbing sensations and emotions associated with your trauma and the ways that you respond to it. In doing so, patients often resolve similar events as well. The goal of this phase is to use sounds, taps, or eye movements with shifting focus until your subjective disturbance levels are lowered.

Installation
The goal here is to concentrate on the positive belief that you have identified to replace your negative belief(s). For example, you may have suffered child abuse in your younger years and hold the negative belief that you are powerless. Christy will help strengthen and install positive cognitions that reinforce the fact that you are in control, not the negative thoughts and emotions keeping you stuck.

Body Scan
Research into EMDR sessions indicates that physical responses to unresolved thoughts are common. After your positive cognition is fortified and installed, Christy will ask that you bring the original target event to the forefront of your mind. If she notices any additional body tension, those physical sensations are reprocessed. If you do not have any body tension or symptoms present when your original target event is brought up, your EMDR session is considered successful.

Closure
Typical EMDR sessions end with closure and a debriefing on what you can expect between your current and subsequent EMDR sessions. If necessary, Christy will provide calming techniques that you can use outside of therapy. This part of the EMDR process ensures that you leave Christy's office feeling better than you did at the beginning of the session.

Reevaluation
This phase gives Christy insight into any other treatment plans that may be necessary for your healing and well-being. Like any type of sound therapy, reevaluation is critical in determining the success of your EMDR treatment over a period of time.
Reshape Your Life with EMDR Therapy from Christy Maxey

Regardless of the events and trauma keeping you stuck, EMDR might be a viable solution for reclaiming your life. Christy Maxey provides patients with the safe space needed to do so. If you're ready to let go of past or present traumas and reclaim your love of life, EMDR therapy could be the first step on your healing journey. Contact our office today to learn more about the Maxx Method, EMDR therapy in Buckeye, AZ, EMDR online, and how Christy Maxey can help you defeat the inner demons holding you back.
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Latest News in Buckeye, AZ
Fast-growing Buckeye's land, water rights deal still not enough to quench need
Alexandra Hardlehttps://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/southwest-valley/2023/01/31/buckeye-to-spend-80m-on-groundwater-rights/69856835007/
The Buckeye City Council approved the spending of $80 million on a lot with groundwater rights for fiscal year 2023 during a special meeting on Monday.Buckeye, one of the nation's fastest growing cities, has approved 27 master planned communities and two planning areas that would grow the city's population by 872,000 people.Information needed:...
The Buckeye City Council approved the spending of $80 million on a lot with groundwater rights for fiscal year 2023 during a special meeting on Monday.
Buckeye, one of the nation's fastest growing cities, has approved 27 master planned communities and two planning areas that would grow the city's population by 872,000 people.
Information needed:A new model could reveal major water trouble for Buckeye. Release it now
The city recently made headlines after Gov. Katie Hobbs released a report by the Arizona Department of Water Resources discussing the far West Valley's groundwater issues.
The report, called the Lower Hassayampa Sub-basin Groundwater Model, shows that several development areas in Buckeye need to find alternative sources of water aside from the Lower Hassayampa Sub-basin.
After meeting in an executive session for over two hours, the City Council voted to approve the purchase. Essentially, the council's decision authorizes the city manager to deliver the purchase agreement on behalf of Buckeye and move forward with buying the land.
Buckeye will purchase the land from Harquahala Valley Landowners, LLC.
It's one of the few basins where it is legal to transport groundwater to an active management area, said Kathleen Ferris, senior research fellow for Arizona State University's Kyl Center for Water Policy. The city also had to purchase the land itself in order to be able to pump groundwater.
Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn said the purchase was in the works for several years, so the money was already set aside in this year's budget. The city also was looking at several other opportunities to expand its water portfolio for the future as the city continues to grow, he said.
Environment:Arizona says developers lack groundwater for big growth dreams in the desert west of Phoenix
In the purchase agreement, Buckeye will gain 592,592 acre-feet of groundwater and is authorized to withdraw a maximum of 5,926 acre-feet per year over a minimum period of 100 years.
Orsborn said the water will be used for municipal purposes, which could include residential or commercial and retail.
In a statement to The Arizona Republic, a Buckeye representative said it will take up to six months to close the purchase and several years to determine the most cost-effective way to transport the water to the city. However, having access to the water rights strengthens the portfolio regardless of development.
In the city's 2020 Water Resources Master Plan, options discussed to transport the water include the construction of the city's own pipeline or transportation of the water through the CAP canal.
While the city is expanding its water portfolio, it's still not enough to sustain the city's expected growth, Ferris said. A 1 acre-foot of water typically serves three single-family homes for a year. So, if the water is used to support single-family homes, it could eventually service more than 17,000 homes per year.
Fortescue Future Industries acquires Phoenix Hydrogen Hub in Buckeye
AZ Business Magazinehttps://azbigmedia.com/business/fortescue-future-industries-acquires-phoenix-hydrogen-hub-in-buckeye/
Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) has made its first major move in the United States following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, investing $24 million to acquire a 100 percent interest in Phoenix Hydrogen Hub, LLC (PHH).PHH is developing a proposed green hydrogen project located near Phoenix, in the City of Buckeye, Arizona. Phase One of the PHH project is planned to be an 80MW electrolyzer and liquefaction facility, capable of produ...
Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) has made its first major move in the United States following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, investing $24 million to acquire a 100 percent interest in Phoenix Hydrogen Hub, LLC (PHH).
PHH is developing a proposed green hydrogen project located near Phoenix, in the City of Buckeye, Arizona. Phase One of the PHH project is planned to be an 80MW electrolyzer and liquefaction facility, capable of producing up to 12,000 tonnes of liquified green hydrogen annually, which can displace the equivalent of 10 million gallons of diesel consumption per year. The PHH project has further capacity to scale up production to help meet future demand.
LEARN MORE: Eric Orsborn uses development background to make Buckeye a boomtown
The announcement of the investment comes as Fortescue Metals Group and FFI come together as one brand “Fortescue” to represent being a unified global metals and green energy company.
The move, which comes after 20 years with the proud FMG brand, was confirmed to staff to coincide with Fortescue’s 20-year anniversary.
FFI CEO Mark Hutchinson said FFI’s investment in the PHH has the potential to create hundreds of jobs. First production of green hydrogen from the PHH project is expected by the middle of this decade.
“FFI is actively expanding its U.S. presence and strengthening its position as a leading global developer of green energy production and technology,” Hutchinson said. “We are committed to helping turn North America into a world-leading global green energy producer. This is an exciting opportunity to work towards a fast-moving project that will lead the way in the U.S., creating new green industrial jobs for Americans, while also helping to reduce emissions once production begins. The U.S. is now one of the best places in the world to do this, with the Inflation Reduction Act making it an ideal place to invest in green energy.
“This investment by FFI will greatly strengthen one of the country’s first and most important hydrogen ecosystems and it is a significant milestone in creating the all-important local connective infrastructure to accelerate the use of green hydrogen,” Hutchinson said. “This demonstrates FFI’s commitment to decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors like transport and moving the world beyond fossil fuels.”
FFI is acquiring Phoenix Hydrogen Hub from an affiliate of Nikola Corporation. Nikola is a global leader in zero-emissions transportation and energy supply and infrastructure solutions.
Nikola, whose trucks are manufactured in Coolidge, Arizona, will be a potential customer of liquified green hydrogen from the hub to support the deployment of its heavy-duty, zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles and hydrogen refueling stations in California and the U.S. Southwest.
“Nikola’s priority is to see more zero-emission trucks on the road and this investment by FFI will greatly strengthen one of the country’s first and most important hydrogen hubs,” said Michael Lohscheller, Nikola Corporation President and CEO.
The large-scale deployment of hydrogen as a zero-emission fuel into the transportation sector is expected to benefit not only from the hydrogen tax credit in the Inflation Reduction Act, but also state level incentives such as the Low Carbon Fuel Standard in California.
“FFI’s investment further establishes Arizona as a national hydrogen leader,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “FFI will advance Arizona’s efforts to create a clean hydrogen ecosystem and build upon initiatives among industry and academia, including the Southwest Clean Hydrogen Innovation Network (SHINe), which is focused on developing a Southwest clean hydrogen hub.”
“Buckeye is committed to attracting clean energy businesses to the city, especially near the Sustainable Valley area, this facility adds to our ‘green’ portfolio making Buckeye the perfect location for similar technologies to expand and grow in our community,” said Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn.
The PHH project is currently going through the final stages of its permitting process, and the procurement of long-lead equipment is well underway. It is anticipated the project will go to the Fortescue Board for a Final Investment Decision this year.
724K SF Mission Park industrial project breaks ground in Buckeye
Erin Thorburnhttps://azbigmedia.com/real-estate/mission-park-industrial-project-breaks-ground/
Martens Development, a Scottsdale-based development firm that is active throughout the Phoenix market, and its general contracting partner Willmeng Construction, broke ground on a Class A industrial development, Mission Park. This two-building, 723,508-square-foot, Class A industrial park is located at the I-10 and Perryville Road in Buckeye, which ...
Martens Development, a Scottsdale-based development firm that is active throughout the Phoenix market, and its general contracting partner Willmeng Construction, broke ground on a Class A industrial development, Mission Park. This two-building, 723,508-square-foot, Class A industrial park is located at the I-10 and Perryville Road in Buckeye, which is an emerging industrial submarket.
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“We are excited to be building in Buckeye, Arizona. This project marks the entry point to the city, and we are proud to deliver an iconic project in such a strategic location,” says Martens Development Principal David Martens. “Buckeye’s pro-growth mentality was critical to this project’s ground-breaking, and we thank everyone involved in making this day happen.”
Joining Martens Development and Willmeng at the groundbreaking event were Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn, Buckeye Deputy City Manager and Economic Development Director David Roderique and Suzanne Boyles from the City of Buckeye Economic Development Department. Also on hand was Sintra Hoffman, President & CEO of WESTMARC.
“We are all thrilled to see things moving on this great project, Mission Park, because when dirt starts flying, good things happen for the city, but most importantly, for our residents,” Mayor Orsborn says. “Thanks to Martens Development and your partners, projects like Mission Park will provide more job opportunities for our residents which drives more retail services, health care, restaurants and other amenities our residents need and expect from a full-service city."
Mission Park was designed by Dale Couture and the team at Ware Malcomb. Kimley-Horn’s Traver Jones is the civil engineer on the project and leasing is being led by the CBRE team of Kevin Cosca, Cooper Fratt and John Werstler.
Work on the two buildings at Mission Park is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2024. The North building is 196,353 square feet with 32-foot clear heights, and 6000 amps of power. The South building is much larger, at 527,155 square feet with 40-foot clear heights and 6000 amps of power. Martens Development designed Mission Park to be an ideal location for a variety of end users and able to accommodate small to large-scale tenants.
“We’re very proud to have such great partners in David and the team at Martens Development,” says Willmeng CEO James Murphy. “We’ve had many successful outcomes on projects with Martens and have enjoyed nothing but good experiences working with the City of Buckeye. To get a chance to partner up with Martens Development once again and to work alongside a municipality that knows how to get things done is an ideal situation for our team.”
Mission Park is the latest addition to the nearly 3 million square feet of industrial product that Martens Development has delivered across the Valley during the last three years. Martens Development has established a sterling reputation for being an agile developer that moves quickly with streamlined processes and strong relationships with trade partners and municipalities.
Construction begins on Buckeye manufacturing plant that will bring 125 jobs
Alexandra Hardlehttps://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/southwest-valley/2023/05/20/buckeye-manufacturing-plant-begins-construction/70214081007/
Rehrig Pacific Company has begun construction on a new manufacturing plant in Buckeye, and it is expected to bring plenty of jobs to the region.Based in Los Angeles, Rehrig is an environmental waste and supply chain partner, creating products for various industries to transport their products. Some of the products include crates, trays and bins for the dairy and beverage industries, among several others.Andrew Resler, vice president and head of special projects, said the facility is expected to bring 100 to 125 j...
Rehrig Pacific Company has begun construction on a new manufacturing plant in Buckeye, and it is expected to bring plenty of jobs to the region.
Based in Los Angeles, Rehrig is an environmental waste and supply chain partner, creating products for various industries to transport their products. Some of the products include crates, trays and bins for the dairy and beverage industries, among several others.
Andrew Resler, vice president and head of special projects, said the facility is expected to bring 100 to 125 jobs, although it has the capacity to expand even further across the 35 acres Rehrig purchased.
Buckeye development:Not all residents are backing the rapid changes
The jobs will have a significant range in salary due to the nature of the work, Resler said. The facility will need front office jobs, and well as roles in management and supervisory, engineering, maintenance and automation. While Resler said some team members will be relocated from Los Angeles, the majority of the new jobs will be filled by people in Buckeye and the Phoenix area.
Rehrig already has seven manufacturing facilities all over the country, Resler said. What was appealing about Buckeye was the close proximity to an existing customer base, with Rehrig having customers all over the western United States.
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Resler also said Rehrig needed a site that had the capacity to provide a lot of power and water. While Rehrig will use a significant amount of power, Resler said the facility’s water use will be very minimal, as the whole facility will use non-evaporative cooling systems to preserve water. Resler also said the facility needed to have proximity to rail, and it needed to be located somewhere that has the workforce base to fill all needed jobs.
Rehrig also looked for areas that were investing in the future and had local government support, Resler said.
“That’s very important for us because we are a small, privately-owned company,” Resler said.
Some jobs may open up within the next few months, Resler said, depending on whether they can be done remotely. The facility is expected to be operational in the second quarter of 2024.
Eric Orsborn uses development background to make Buckeye a boomtown
Michael Gossiehttps://azbigmedia.com/business/eric-orsborn-uses-development-background-to-make-buckeye-a-boomtown/
March 28, 2023Eric Orsborn never saw his future coming.“I never thought I would be an elected official,” says the mayor of Buckeye. “Ever!”DEEPER DIVE: AZ Big 100: 25 male busines...
March 28, 2023
Eric Orsborn never saw his future coming.
“I never thought I would be an elected official,” says the mayor of Buckeye. “Ever!”
DEEPER DIVE: AZ Big 100: 25 male business leaders to watch in 2023
But back in the day, Orsborn was a project manager for DMB Associates — which developed the game-changing master-planned community of Verrado in Buckeye — and DMB encouraged its associates to become ingrained in the community.
“They said, ‘We want you to get involved, get on a board, or run for council,’” Orsborn recalls. “And I said, ‘There is no way I’m running for council.’”
At that time, Buckeye was in the news a lot, but for the wrong reasons. The city was fiercely trying to find its footing and struggling to find the leadership needed to right the ship.
“When it came time for the elections in late 2009, I no longer worked for DMB,” Orsborn says. “Karrin Taylor Robson approached me and said, ‘Hey, have you ever thought of running for council?’ And I said, ‘There is no way I’m running for council.’”
Turning point for Eric Orsborn
Then, Orsborn met former Buckeye Mayor Jackie Meck.
“He said, ‘We have a fireman, a policeman, a veterinarian, a bookkeeper, and a couple of small businessmen on the council, but nobody that brings your big-budget experience,’” Orsborn remembers.
Orsborn’s background was in heavy civil construction, including water, wastewater treatment plants, bridges and infrastructure. And no one on the council at that time brought the development experience Orsborn possessed.
“They said, ‘Your skill set is perfect for what we’re going to be going through over the next 50 years in the City of Buckeye,’” Orsborn says. “They really encouraged me to do it.”
And the rest, as they say, is history. Eric Orsborn served on Buckeye’s City Council from 2010-2018, was vice mayor from 2018-2020, and was elected mayor of Buckeye in 2020.
Since Orsborn was sworn in as mayor, Buckeye has witnessed the groundbreaking of Teravalis, a 37,000-acre mixed-use master-planned community that is projected to include 100,000 homes and 55 million square feet of commercial development; announcements by both Banner Health and Abrazo that they plan to build hospitals near Verrado Way and the I-10; Costco broke ground in December; plans for Verrado Marketplace feature movie theaters, a retail center, a gym and a grocery store; and there is 9 million square feet of industrial under construction and 40 million square foot of industrial in the pipeline.
Orsborn says some of the skills he built as a developer have helped make him a more effective politician.
“As a developer, you’re trying to find some common ground and it’s not always ‘yes’ and ‘no,’ but there are ways to make things happen,” he says. If it is ‘no,’ how can we get to a ‘yes’ that works for all of us? My background allows me to help the developers understand the things that we have to do as a city and why it can’t always be full after-burner. And also helping the city realize where we can help the development community to go faster. And the faster we go, the quicker we get infrastructure built, the quicker we grow a population that brings in more need for retail. And so then the retailers start coming in. It’s trying to have a good vision. The good developers that are coming in have good vision for what this place could become.”
Part of Orsborn’s vision is turning Buckeye from what has historically been a commuter city — residents travel elsewhere to earn a living — to becoming a hot spot for jobs.
“Right now, we have 9 million square feet of industrial that is under construction and 40 million square foot of industrial in the pipeline. If you figure about three employees per 1,000 square feet, that’s 120,000 jobs in the City of Buckeye over the next 10 or so years.”
That doesn’t include the added jobs that come with the healthcare and retail projects that are already in the pipeline. And there is even talk about bringing a world-class resort to Buckeye, along with the city potentially being home to a movie studio with up to 16 40,000-square-foot sound stages.
“That starts to drag a portion of Hollywood our way,” Orsborn says. “And that, in turn, significantly grows the airport, which helps us to make investment in the airport.”
But Orsborn isn’t all about growth and development. He has helped spark efforts to protect one of Buckeye’s greatest natural resources — its open spaces and the White Tank Mountains so that generations that follow can enjoy the beauty that attracted many to Buckeye in the first place.
“I hope that we’re able to grow responsibly and grow some really special neighborhoods,” Orsborn says. “I hope we’re able to grow employment in our area so 90% of us don't have to drive out of Buckeye to work. I hope to bring retail to Buckeye and make it an incredibly special place, a destination city that people want to come and live. I don’t want Buckeye to be a city where people have to live because they can’t afford to live someplace else. I want people to be able to say, ‘I live in the City of Buckeye. I’m really, really proud to be here. It’s a special place to live.’”
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