Next Big Boom: The West Valley

The growth of the West Valley economy is expected to continue unabated into the new year, according to local economist Elliott Pollack, who spoke at yesterday's annual meeting of Westmarc, a regional coalition of businesses, government and education leaders.

"Economic growth in the West Valley will see little or no slowdown in 2006 and likely will continue at dramatic rates," said Pollack. "The Arizona economy is booming and the West Valley is growing more rapidly than virtually any other area."

Westmarc predicts that more than 40 percent of the Valley's population in the next 15-20 years will be west of Loop 101. Pollack said that number is low and predicts 58 percent. More...