Mesa, Arizona —The Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority (PMGAA) Board of Directors has voted to approve a 49-year Master Lease Agreement with Mesa SkyBridge, LLC (SkyBridge), the latest milestone for a project that is expected to create thousands of jobs in the Phoenix East Valley. In November 2017, the PMGAA Board selected SkyBridge as Master Developer for an approximately 360-acre site located at the southeast end of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (Airport). The Master Lease Agreement allows SkyBridge to begin the master planning and environmental review process. SkyBridge has committed to invest approximately $25 million for site improvements, including a taxiway extension, roadways, sewer and water, and other basic infrastructure.

“Signing the Master Lease is a very big milestone and kicks off the development phase of this important project,” said Mesa Mayor John Giles. “We can now focus on establishing the Unified Cargo Processing Program and construction activities that will promote job creation and economic vitality for the entire region.”

The Unified Cargo Processing Program, announced by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey on January 5^th, 2018, will be the nation’s first and only inland international air logistics hub offering both U.S. and Mexican Customs services. This program will transform the Airport into a high-density employment center and a globally-recognized commerce powerhouse. At full build-out, SkyBridge Arizona, the official name of the 360-acre development, could encompass between 3.5 - 5 million square feet of office, warehouse, logistics/cargo, hospitality, and retail space. Services provided by SkyBridge will expedite the shipment of high value goods, manufactured product, and other air cargo between Mexico, Latin American and the United States.

“SkyBridge Arizona will be the first of its kind in the United States and builds upon similar development efforts we are undertaking in Latin America,” said Ariel Picker, CEO of Mesa SkyBridge, LLC. “Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and the State of Arizona are ideal locations for a project such as SkyBridge, and we look forward to developing a project that will be recognized as the industry leader in global logistics and international air cargo.”

PMGAA Executive Director/CEO J. Brian O’Neill added, “We are proud to partner with the SkyBridge team on this exciting project. Development of the 360-acre site represents thousands of high-wage jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in regional economic activity.

For more information about Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, please visit www.gatewayairport.com.

##

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority Media Contact:
Ryan Smith, Director of Communications and Government Relations
Phone: 480-988-7617
Email: rsmith@gatewayairport.com