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Meta announced on Jan. 30 that its Mesa Data Center is now serving traffic. That means that this data center is now part of the company’s global infrastructure that brings its technologies and services to life, making it possible to connect billions of people worldwide. Meta has been a part of the Mesa community since breaking ground on the data center in 2021.

“Meta revolutionized the way we connect, communicate, and innovate and we are proud to welcome them to Arizona,” said Allison Grigg, Senior Vice President of Economic Development, Arizona Commerce Authority. “Meta’s decision to invest in Mesa is a testament to our state’s pro-business environment that includes our skilled workforce, strategic location and our commitment to innovation. Arizona is the premier destination for high-tech companies like Meta and we look forward to supporting their success in Mesa.”

“We came to Mesa four years ago because it offered excellent infrastructure, access to renewable energy, a strong pool of talent for both construction and operations staff, and great community partners that have helped us move forward quickly, and we’re thrilled to call it home,” said Brad Davis, data center community and economic development director at Meta. “Our thanks go to the City of Mesa, the Arizona Commerce Authority, DPR Construction, the Eastmark community, Salt River Project, and all of our local partners for helping us get to today. We are extremely proud to be part of the Mesa community and look forward to continuing to strengthen our partnership for years to come.”

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Construction of the Mesa Data Center has resulted in an average of 2,000 skilled trade workers on site at peak, and the facility currently supports more than 200 operational jobs. Once fully built out, this facility will represent an investment of more than $1 billion in the state of Arizona.

“Meta has been a tremendous community member from the moment they chose Mesa as their home. To date, they have invested more than $1.3 million in our schools and nonprofits, and their data center presence supports our local economy as well,” said Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman. “We couldn’t ask for a better community partner, and we look forward to deepening that relationship in the years to come.”

From the beginning, Meta has been committed to being an active part of the Maricopa County community and investing in its long-term vitality. As part of that commitment, the company is also announcing today a new investment in the Mesa College Promise program to provide financial support for Mesa residents attending Mesa Community College. The $225,000 grant will help cover the cost of college attendance for Mesa residents pursuing STEM certificates and degrees, bringing Meta’s total support of the program to $300,000.

“Meta’s generous contribution supports Mesa College Promise’s vital role in connecting Mesa residents with pathways to higher education and better job prospects,” said Mesa Community College President Richard Daniel, Ph.D. “Promise’s recent expansion from high school to include adult learners accelerates building the workforce of tomorrow.”

This month, Meta also helped create a new multimedia center at Gilbert Public Schools’ Desert Ridge Junior High School. This center, which was supported by a $75,000 grant from Meta, will provide students with the tools and resources to explore various digital mediums such as animation, video game design, digital art, and music production.

Meta prioritizes water stewardship, and the company has a goal to be water positive in 2030, meaning they will restore more water than they consume. Here in Arizona, Meta is supporting 12 regional water conservation and restoration projects that put hundreds of millions of gallons of water back into the state’s watersheds.

As another part of Meta’s commitment to sustainability, Mesa Data Center’s electricity use, like at all of their data centers, is matched with 100% clean and renewable energy. Through their partnership with Salt River Project, three Meta-supported projects are adding 450 megawatts of new renewable energy in Arizona. The Mesa Data Center will also be LEED Gold certified.

Jeremy Hathcock, one year after turning around Buckeye Verrado's football program, is pivoting back to the East Valley where he'll lead the Mesa Jackrabbits.

Athletic Director David Klecka announced the hiring, pending approval from the Mesa Public Schools' governing board, on social media Thursday.

"He checks all the boxes that we are looking for," Klecka said in a text to The Arizona Republic. "He will fit right in our traditions of hard-nosed, tough football coaches that have the highest of expectations."

Hathcock moved back to the Valley last spring from the White Mountains, where he was athletic director and head football coach of his alma mater Lakeside Blue Ridge, to take on the Verrado job.

Hathcock was considered for Coach of the Year by The Arizona Republic after what he did in his only season at Verrado.

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The Vipers went 10-3, beating eventual 5A champion Goodyear Desert Edge in the final regular-season game, before losing to Desert Edge 24-14 in the state semifinals. The previous year, Verrado went 3-7.

Hathcock previously was head coach at Mesa Desert Ridge, leading the Jaguars from 2006-20. He took them to the 6A state final in 2010 and 2015.

He said he's been renting his home in the East Valley, while finding a new home in Buckeye.

"Honestly, I never wanted to leave," Hathcock said about Verrado.

Hathcock said he wanted to be closer to his family in the East Valley. He said there could be a possibility that his son, Alec, could move back from Texas and help him at Mesa.

Hathcock said he is looking forward to working with the Mesa players.

"With their tradition, I think you can win there and I don't think it's going to take a lot of time,'' he said. "There are neighborhood kids, great culture, great diversity. They care about sports. They have tradition like nobody has."

Many coaches have come through Mesa, trying to restore it to an elite level since Jim Rattay led the Jackrabbits to big-school state titles in 1990 and '92.

Mesa last reached the state championship game in 2009, under now Arizona Christian University assistant coach Kelley Moore. Mesa has won four AIA state titles in its history, counting 1960 and 1963.

Hathcock replaces Chad DeGrenier, who led the Jackrabbits to a 4-6 record last season. Two seasons ago, Mesa got into the playoffs at 6-4, before losing to Phoenix Brophy Prep 35-7 in the first round of the 6A playoffs.

Hathcock also was intrigued by Mesa being in 6A. He has always wanted to coach at the highest level in Arizona. He did that at Desert Ridge. Verrado competes in 5A.

"Mesa should be a team that nobody wants to play," Hathcock said.

Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. He also covers Grand Canyon University athletics and the Arizona Rattlers. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at [email protected] or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. today announced the official opening of its newest customer support service center at Mesa Gateway Airport in Mesa, Arizona. To mark the occasion, state and local dignitaries, community partners, and Gulfstream leaders and employees gathered for a ceremonial ribbon-cutting to formally welcome customers to the new Mesa Service Center.

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Gulfstream has invested more than $130 million in the 225,000-square-foot/20,908-square-meter maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Mesa, which was originally announced in 2021. To meet customer demand ahead of Mesa Service Center’s completion, Gulfstream opened a facility and began offering service in 2022, adding more hangar space in the fall of 2023. Mesa Service Center can accommodate up to 13 large-cabin Gulfstream aircraft simultaneously with the capability to support maintenance and avionics services, inspections and drop-in support for all Gulfstream models. This is in addition to Gulfstream’s existing Mesa west campus, which can hold up to 10 large- and mid-cabin aircraft.

“The opening of Gulfstream’s new Mesa Service Center aligns with our strategic vision to provide the industry’s most modern service network, sustainably designed to serve our customers where and when they need us,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “Thanks to the investments we’ve made in workforce development and on-the-job training, our Mesa team is well prepared to offer customers based in the Western United States and those traveling through the region the same high-quality service and safety measures that they have experienced across our worldwide network.”

Gulfstream’s Mesa operations have already brought more than 250 new jobs to the region, with an additional 100 more expected this year. To help develop the workforce of the future, Gulfstream has partnered with local educational institutions to offer training including apprenticeship and internship programs.

The new service center is expected to receive U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification later this year. The facility was designed to support Gulfstream’s commitment to sustainability and was built to operate with enhanced environmental efficiency through recycled, regional and lower emissions materials, as well as solutions to reduce power and water consumption, redirect construction waste to recycling, and optimize energy performance. Additionally, Gulfstream’s Mesa campus features an on-site fuel farm that includes a 30,000-gallon tank dedicated to storing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blends.

Gulfstream Customer Support’s extensive service network also includes modernized facilities in Van Nuys, California; Appleton, Wisconsin; Fort Worth, Texas; Palm Beach, Florida; Farnborough, England; and the recently completed Savannah Service Center East.

Inspired by the belief that aviation could fuel business growth, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. invented the first purpose-built business aircraft, the Gulfstream I, which first flew in 1958. Today, more than 3,200 aircraft are in service around the world. Together with parent company General Dynamics, Gulfstream consistently invests in the future, dedicating resources to researching and developing innovative new aircraft, technologies and services. With a fleet that includes the super-midsize Gulfstream G280, the record-setting Gulfstream G650 and Gulfstream G650ER, and a next-generation family of aircraft including the category-leading Gulfstream G400, the award-winning Gulfstream G500 and Gulfstream G600, the ultralarge-cabin Gulfstream G700 and the ultralong-range Gulfstream G800, Gulfstream offers an aircraft for every mission. All are backed by the worldwide Gulfstream Customer Support network. Learn more at gulfstream.com.