ELOY — Mayor Micah Powell began his address at the annual State of the City event by touting accomplishments for the city in the past year. However, he echoed that the work of improving and modernizing the city is not finished.
From new businesses coming to the city bringing jobs to continued progress in improving the city’s infrastructure, Powell noted Jan. 18 that “opportunity is right here in Eloy.”
Powell began the address by discussing the 2022 election, which saw him secure a second term as mayor.
Although he showed his gratitude for earning the trust of Eloy’s voters, he expressed his disappointment that the Santa Cruz Valley Union High School District’s budget override was not passed.
“Education is key for us to be successful,” he said. “When our schools are struggling, we must step up to support them. Regardless of what district we live in, or if our kids go to that school.
“When we were growing up and going to school, people voted to support us and the schools. It is a shame that we couldn’t do the same. We need to try harder for the future of our children.”
During his presentation, Powell spoke about how the city of Eloy “has officially jumped on the (electric vehicle) bandwagon.” He said Cirba Solutions, a battery management and materials processor, is currently constructing a lithium-ion battery recycling facility in the city.
“They are bringing new life to a previously vacant manufacturing building for the recycling of batteries for many applications, including electric vehicle use. They will employ over 100 people in the city of Eloy,” Powell continued.
Electric vehicles will continue to find a home in Eloy, as Powell shared that the Circle K located on Toltec Road is currently undergoing construction to accommodate a Tesla Supercharger station.
“Once it’s completed, there will be over 20 charging stations for Tesla owners to park, get charged up and spend their money here,” Powell said.
While the city saw its fair share of accomplishments, a number of challenges continue to test the city.
Powell detailed the city’s ongoing fight to stop the trafficking and use of fentanyl in the city. The Eloy mayor shared that the Eloy Police Department seized 2,474 fentanyl pills in 2022, a stark contrast to the 273 pills that were seized in 2021.
“Many of you know that my fight against the fentanyl crisis hits home,” Powell said. “It is a passion of mine that we stay ahead of the crisis and do whatever we need to do to stop that terrible drug from getting into the hands of our children.”
To finish his address, Powell took the time to deviate from his written statement and go “off script” to discuss the opportunity for both the city and its residents to be successful.
The mayor expressed his hope not just for Eloy to be successful but for Pinal County as a whole to continue to grow in the future.
“I know a lot of these words were written down, but I try to speak from the heart when I say that there is so much opportunity here,” he said. “The opportunity is not just here, it’s working with the county, the city of Casa Grande and Maricopa, we have to work together.
“If we work together, we win together. This isn’t just one community, it’s all of us.”
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