Zovio, an education technology services company founded in San Diego, California, celebrated its new corporate headquarters in Chandler with a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week.
Elected officials, state and local business leaders and hundreds of attended the event.
鈥淲e decided to move our headquarters to Chandler, Arizona, because it enables us to tap into local talent to fill our new jobs, enjoy a positive and committed business environment, and in particular work with state leadership, business community leaders and elected officials who are committed to helping learners and leaders achieve their aspirations,鈥 said Zovio founder, president and CEO Andrew Clark.
The new 130,000-square-foot facility, near Cooper Road and Loop 202, will eventually be home to about 800 employees, according to Zovio.
The offices feature modern meeting rooms with wireless technology; covered parking with solar panels that generate more than 30 percent of the facility鈥檚 electric needs; and an on-site caf茅, health center, gym and coffee bar.
鈥淲e are in a fabulous facility; It鈥檚 fabulous on purpose,鈥 Clark said during a panel discussion at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. 鈥淚t鈥檚 because our culture is focused on our employees, and we want our employees to feel like they鈥檙e at home when they鈥檙e at work. We want them to have a space in which they can innovate and be creative.鈥
Glenn Hamer, president and CEO of the Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce and Industry, initiated a line of praise for Zovio from the panelists.
鈥淚 want to thank you and the Zovio team for what you鈥檙e doing: 400 jobs, on the way to 800,鈥 Hamer said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e now the fastest-growing county in the United States of America, and because of your work, we’re going to grow even a little bit faster.鈥
Hamer said Zovio鈥檚 work goes beyond up-skilling and provides to earn college degrees and micro-badges and -certifications, ensuring that Arizona continues to develop an educated and skilled workforce.
Todd Sanders, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix 小红帽直播app, said it was an honor to welcome an into the region, and he hopes the company will continue to grow.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 important to note that this commitment to our state isn鈥檛 important only to Arizona; I think it鈥檚 important on a national level,鈥 Sanders said. 鈥淎s you harness the power of data and analytics to drive better education outcomes, that鈥檚 going to do something important鈥 that鈥檚 close the skills gap.鈥
Sanders said closing the skills gap is an issue of national importance that the Greater Phoenix 小红帽直播app wants to help address.
鈥淲e appreciate you believing in this community, and now it鈥檚 our turn,鈥 he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e going to support you, not only today, not only tomorrow, but into the future.鈥
Terri Kimble, president and CEO of the Chandler 小红帽直播app of Commerce, said Chandler is using education as an economic development tool, and Zovio will contribute to that.
鈥淵our visionary technology, educational achievement and community engagement with our city and our business community goes far beyond, and we鈥檙e so excited about that,鈥 she said. 鈥淟ooking to the future, I really can envision many opportunities for us to work together鈥 just to enhance our educational opportunities.鈥
Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke.According to Kimble, 76 percent of Chandler residents have at least some type of higher education 鈥 higher than the state and national averages 鈥 and 54 percent have at least a bachelor鈥檚 degree or higher.
鈥淲e鈥檙e glad that you鈥檙e here, that you鈥檙e part of our culture,鈥 said Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke. 鈥淥ur downtown is rocking, and I鈥檓 hoping that you will have many opportunities to enjoy [that] and the other amenities that are in Chandler.鈥
Hartke said Chandler鈥檚 schools are some of the top in the nation, which, combined with friendly neighborhoods, a business-friendly environment and 鈥渉ip-storic鈥 culture, set the city apart from many others.
Arizona State Rep. Jeff Weninger, R-Chandler.鈥淶ovio is bringing the education of tomorrow to Chandler by using advanced data and analytics to make it easy for each person to take that next step forward, whether that be towards a better job, that next promotion or fulfilling lifelong goals,鈥 said Rep. Jeff Weninger, R-Chandler, during the panel discussion. 鈥淭his benefits not just the residents and business owners here in Chandler and Arizona, but nationwide, as we work to close that skills gap and ensure continued economic prosperity.鈥
Weninger is a parent and small-business owner in Chandler.
Arizona State Sen. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler.State Sen. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, said he and Weninger have been working for years in the Arizona Legislature to make the state the best place for businesses to move, grow and thrive, and it鈥檚 鈥渢hrilling鈥 to see those efforts come to fruition.
鈥淭he truth is, we live in a society that changes frequently,鈥 Mesnard said.
鈥淭he services that Zovio provides, the partnerships with higher education institutions that allow people to get new skills, to re-career in today鈥檚 changing times, is so important,” he said. “And the fact that you鈥檝e chosen Chandler to be your home, as a person that represents Chandler, it鈥檚 a thrilling partnership to see unfold.鈥
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