West Valley has a lot going for it. The region that includes cities such as Surprise, Goodyear, and Sun City has its share of housing and entertainment opportunities like Glendale’s Phoenix Stadium and Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale. However, on a day-to-day basis, many residents would rather head to nearby Downtown Phoenix or Scottsdale for jobs, shopping, and entertainment.

That’s about to change, according to AZ Big Media. Multiple city officials are looking at ways of attracting talent to remain in the West Valley. In doing so, the ultimate goal is to attract and retain businesses to the area, a major determinant of economic growth.

Goodyear is spearheading growth with the addition of a 1,600-acre master-planned business park called PV 303 that will include 20 million square feet of office retail and industrial space. Glendale is looking to add a new Ikea store by 2020 while Surprise is lining Bell Road with strip malls offering a variety of shopping and dining options.

These cities have good reason to catch up when it comes to amenities: Their populations are booming. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Surprise rose from 7,000 in 1990 to 31,000 by 2000 and 118,000 by 2010. Jeanine Jerkovic, economic development director for Surprise, told AZBM that more than one million people will reside in West Valley in the near future.

Sintra Hoffman, president and chief executive officer of the Western Maricopa Coalition, perhaps clarifies best the vision for economic security in the West Valley. “We really see ourselves as an all-inclusive community where we have everything to offer,” she told AZBM.