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Economic Development Contacts

Your success is Buckeye’s success. We appreciate your interest and are here to help. If you need information or have questions, please contact Jennifer Vayda, Management Assistant, at (623) 349-6150. Jennifer will determine who is the best person to assist you and make the right connection happen.

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Lori Gary, Economic Development Director

Lori M. Gary, CEcD, most recently executive director of the Greater Casa Grande Valley Economic Development Foundation, is expected to begin her employment with the town in late September or early October.

In her eight-plus years with the Foundation, Gary helped locate 34 projects in the region that included Casa Grande, Coolidge, Eloy and Maricopa - developments that brought $533 million in investments and created 2,348 new jobs.

Those new industries include a Wal-Mart Distribution Center, the national headquarters of ACO Polymer Products, the National Vitamin Company, Abbott Laboratories/Ross Products Division, OTTO Industries and Price Industries.

Gary, who earned the certified economic developer designation in 2000, can't wait to begin her work in Buckeye.

"I'm very excited about this challenging opportunity," Gary said. "The environment in a growing community like Buckeye is ideal for aggressive efforts in economic development, and I look forward to helping to bring industrial, retail and commercial partners to the town."

Buckeye Mayor Bobby Bryant said Gary's formal education and her experience in developing and implementing successful economic development programs are a good fit for Buckeye.

"We will be working side-by-side over the next two years to bring employment to the Town of Buckeye," Bryant said. "We are dedicated to making Buckeye a great place to live, work and play, and economic development is a crucial element in attaining those goals."

Prior to her employment in the Casa Grande area, Gary was vice president of economic development for the Cleveland/Bradley County (Tenn.) Chamber of Commerce and earlier was senior marketing representative for the Decatur-Macon County (Ill.) Economic Development Foundation.

Gary has a bachelor's of science degree from Western Michigan University and did graduate study at Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville. She is a member and currently serves on the board of the Arizona Association for Economic Development; is a member of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), and was an examination grader and proctor for IEDC's professional economic development certification program.

She is also active in several community organizations, including the American Red Cross and the United Way of Pinal County.