Why Vote Yes?
During these tough economic times when opportunities are currently few and far between throughout the valley, Mesa has the opportunity to have a $1 billion private investment that will increase revenue and jobs while building the foundation for quality growth in the Gateway Area. Voting Yes on 300 is a step towards Mesa’s long term economic sustainability and an opportunity to bring a world renowned convention destination to our city.
The Mesa Proving Grounds Project means jobs and revenue for Mesa.
The Mesa Proving Grounds Resort core will generate more than 8000 construction jobs and more than 4000 permanent jobs. In fewer than 5 years, the construction phase of the Resort Core will generate nearly $12 million in fees for Mesa and more than $54 million for the State and County. In the first 10 years of operation, the Resort Core will have an annual benefit of over $ 5.5 million in revenues for Mesa and more than $25 million for the State and county.
Voting Yes on Proposition 300 will bring a world-renowned resort and tourist destination to Mesa.
Because of the size and quality of the Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center destination, Mesa has called it a “statement project” that will not only have a significant impact on the city and the state, but the entire Southwest. Gaylord provides its customers with an “everything-in-one-place” model with exceptional customer service, flexible and state-of-the-art meeting space, and world-class restaurants and entertainment. Many of Gaylord’s conventions are too large to accommodate all of the visitors, thus other hotels in the area will directly benefit from the overflow. Gaylord’s network of hotels and convention centers allows them to book customers into multi-year, multi-location, rotational contracts. Gaylord Entertainment has a proven track record of booking thousands of rooms up to four years in advance.
The Mesa Proving Grounds and its Resort Core are part of the foundation of Mesa’s future economic engine at Gateway.
The re-development of the Mesa Proving Grounds, along with Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and ASU Polytechnic, will be a catalyst for Mesa's Gateway area and the future of sustainable commerce, high-quality education, entertainment, lifestyle and residential developments. The Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center will attract tourists and convention-goers from across the country. The influx of travelers along with the integration of live, work and recreation options planned for Mesa Proving Grounds generates a natural demand from travelers in the area. This activity will advance the position of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport as a commercial travel port, and the area as a business and aerospace hub. The Resort Core will spur economic growth in the area over the next five to 10 years and create demand for three to five additional hotels and other amenities.
Voting Yes on Proposition 300 does not give away one cent of sales tax revenues.
Tourists and visitors pay for the economic incentives– not Mesa taxpayers. The incentives for the Resort Core are in the form of a bed tax that would be paid for by those staying at the hotels and using the convention facility. Bed tax revenues will also be used in the same manner as they always have, to promote tourism. In this case, a portion of the revenue generated from the Resort Core would be reinvested to promote the hotels and convention center helping to boost tourism for the entire Gateway Area. The Resort Core development will generate over $5.5 million annually in NEW Revenue for the first 10 years for the City of Mesa.
"I do not typically support projects and struggle with projects that include any sort of incentive package, but in this case I see how this project actually creates more revenue instead of moving it from one place to another."
Senator Russell Pearce