Crazy housing market / p. 15
An edition of the East Valley Tribune
Inside
This Week
NEWS ..................... 10
Teen girls from QC and other schools learn about police, fire jobs.
SPORTS ................. 22
Eastmark winds up first season in 4A Division.
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GETOUT ................. 25
REAL ESTATE ............ 15 COMMUNITY ............ 17 BUSINESS ................. 19 OPINION .................. 20 SPORTS .................... 22 GET OUT .................... 25 CLASSIFIEDS .............26
Sunday, March 26, 2023
LG targets QC for $5.5 billion operation BY MARK MORAN Tribune Staff Writer
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fter months of study, speculation, and delay Korean energy giant LG Energy Solution has announced it will break ground this year on a $5.5billion lithium battery manufacturing plant in Queen Creek with production to start in 2025. The announcement quadruples LG’s initially announced investment of $1.4 billion
made early last year and the plant likely will create thousands of jobs. LG’s North American subsidiary bought 650.5 acres at Ironwood and Germann roads in a state Land Department auction last April for $84.4 million and the town has been upgrading roads around the site in anticipation of the development. The bid was the only one cast for the State Trust Land parcel is near Zimmerman Dairy Farm and CMC Steel Arizona, southeast of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.
“We are so excited that LGES is expanding this pivotal project that supports the demand for innovative clean energy solutions,” Queen Creek Mayor Julia Wheatley said. Stating “the substantial investment will create a positive ripple effect for the region and the state, bringing local jobs, infrastructure, and capital investment,” the mayor added, “LG Energy Solution will be the first company to break ground along the ad-
see BATTERY page 4
Band Toogether creates jam space for QC musicians BY MARK MORAN Tribune Staff Writer
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World’s biggest Easter pageant beginning Thursday.
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avid Brewer was headed into high school back in Illinois when he realized he had an important life choice to make. He loved basketball, which he still plays avidly as a Queen Creek resident now, but he was also really into music. As is the case with many high school athletes with dreams of going pro, his trumpet took a back seat. “I have no regrets about picking basketball once I went into high school,” Brewer said. “But right after high school you realize ‘Oh, I’m not going to the NBA. Music is going to
David Brewer hosts Band Jam in the Queen Creek Real Estate Team offices. (David Minton/Tribune Staff Photographer)
see BAND page 6
Central Arizona College www.centralaz.edu
Paths to Great Careers