PhoenixMart Global Commerce Center, Most Comprehensive In Western Hemisphere, Breaks Ground In Arizona; Projected To Create Nearly 10,000 American Jobs

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Nov. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, federal and state delegates, community and business leaders from the U.S. and abroad, joined PhoenixMart developers, to commence construction of the new facility with a groundbreaking ceremony in Casa Grande, Arizona. The groundbreaking featured keynote speaker former Secretary of Labor of the United States, Elaine Chao, who served in the Cabinet for eight years under President George W. Bush. Former Secretary Chao was joined by U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, Arizona 1^st Congressional District; U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar, Arizona 4^th Congressional District and Mayor Bob Jackson of Casa Grande.

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PhoenixMart is a 585-acre master-planned community including a 1.7-million-square-foot, multi-functional products center and 4-million-square-feet of support facilities. The main commerce structure, when completed, will be one of the largest single level trade centers in the U.S. spanning nearly three American football fields wide and nearly six football fields long.

"PhoenixMart's mission is to empower American manufacturers and distributors, while providing a venue to showcase products to domestic and international buyers," said Jeremy Schoenfelder, PhoenixMart president. "With the exposure created by housing more than 2,000 companies under one roof, manufacturers and distributors have an efficient platform to connect both domestic and international end users. PhoenixMart tenants will also benefit from the various service programs aimed to reduce their cost and promote their sales."

PhoenixMart will be the most comprehensive global commerce marketplace in the Western Hemisphere. Other successful marketplaces include Yiwu in China, the largest commodities center in the world and Dragon Mart in Dubai which serves markets from Europe, to the Middle East and Africa. These global marketplace facilities are part of an interactive supply chain, providing more domestic and international exposure while empowering companies with direct access to other markets.

According to the Foreign Trade Division that supplies information to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2011, the total foreign imports into the U.S. exceeded more than $2.23 trillion. This amount represents viable opportunity through PhoenixMart's business model, to regain the domestic market share lost to imported goods.  

PhoenixMart will showcase manufacturers and distributors in various categories including: home and hotel, industrial and automotive, electronic and accessories, food and beverage, office and recreation, plus fashion and variety. Tenants in these categories will be able to reach consumers both online and offline, in a modern "bricks and clicks and services" commerce model. This commerce plan enables sellers to raise their visibility with the domestic and international buying community and conduct online transactions in addition to in-person sales. They will also have access to amenities such as tax planning, legal counsel and compressive marketing services. 

Supporters of the project are looking to PhoenixMart to answer unmet needs that will help them better compete in today's global market environment. One such company is San Diego based WAXIE Sanitary Supply, America's largest independently owned distributor of sanitary maintenance supplies.

"At WAXIE, we strive to be the industry leader in the distribution of quality sanitary supplies and equipment; that is why we are so excited to be a part of PhoenixMart," said Rick Hazard, WAXIE vice president of marketing. "PhoenixMart will lead the way in providing quality and innovative products from world class vendors, new avenues of distribution and a variety of strategic partnerships that we feel will enhance our business."

PhoenixMart selected Arizona as the site for the facility due to the following attributes:  Arizona is the fastest growing state in the U.S. and provides access to Union Pacific's double-track railroad, I-10 and I-8 Freeways (direct routes east to west and to the west coast), International Inland Port, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Tucson International Airport, and is in the direct path of the proposed I-11 NAFTA Freeway. In addition, PhoenixMart is ideally located near sales and distribution centers for several Fortune 100 companies.

The PhoenixMart leasing division is hand selecting tenants from American manufacturers and distributors. The tenant mix will provide the widest variety of top quality products and selection in the U.S. to meet the needs of both domestic and international commerce. 

About PhoenixMart

PhoenixMart is the leading example of a 21st Century global commerce center, connecting thousands of North American manufacturers and distributors with domestic and global buyers. PhoenixMart is a 585-acre master-planned community with a 1.7-million-square-foot, multi-functional products center and 4-million-square-feet of support facilities. Upon completion, PhoenixMart will be an effective and powerful platform to jointly promote American products, innovation and manufacturing opportunities. For additional information, visit www.phoenixmart.com. 

SOURCE PhoenixMart