Staff Reports | Community Updates
The City of Mesa congratulated The Boeing Co. on receiving the Best of Arizona Award from the Arizona Association for Economic Development, recognizing the company’s economic impact and long-term role in the state’s aerospace and defense sector.
The award honors organizations or individuals whose contributions have produced meaningful statewide economic results, according to a press release.
Boeing’s Arizona presence is centered in Mesa, where its campus has served for decades as the production site for the AH-64 Apache helicopter and other aerospace manufacturing operations. The company employs more than 4,500 people in Arizona, works with more than 270 suppliers statewide, supports an estimated 49,000 direct and indirect jobs and generated $1.1 billion in supplier spending in 2025.
“Boeing has been one of Mesa’s most important economic partners for generations,” said Mayor Mark Freeman. “This Best of Arizona honor reflects the company’s contribution to Mesa, the aerospace and defense sector, and Arizona’s economy.”
The recognition also reflects Boeing’s ongoing role in Mesa through major Apache-related contracts. These include a nearly $4.7 billion U.S. Army contract supporting Apache production in Mesa through at least 2032, as well as approximately $2.7 billion in post-production support and sustainment services through 2030. The work supports rotorcraft manufacturing, engineering, logistics and sustainment activities in the state.
“Boeing’s continued investment in Mesa has created jobs, strengthened our supplier ecosystem and reinforced our city’s role in advanced manufacturing and aerospace,” said Scott Butler, Mesa city manager. “We are proud to see the company recognized for this work.”
Beyond Mesa, Boeing maintains operations in Chandler and Goodyear, supporting manufacturing, logistics, supply chain management and engineering. The company also partners with universities, community colleges and technical institutions to strengthen workforce development through internships, apprenticeships, STEM collaboration and veteran transition programs.
Mesa remains home to Boeing’s primary Arizona manufacturing and defense operations and acknowledged the company’s continued investment in workforce development and economic activity.
