Maricopa took center stage in a statewide conversation this week as part of Arizona Tech Week, hosting a panel Monday focused on one of the most pressing issues tied to growth: power.

The weeklong series, organized by venture capital firms, startups and industry leaders, is designed to bring together Arizona’s tech ecosystem to discuss entrepreneurship, emerging technologies and infrastructure.

City officials positioned Maricopa as a real-world example of how those conversations are playing out locally, particularly as demand for electricity increases.

The panel featured representatives from Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project and Electrical District No. 3, who discussed whether current systems could keep pace with demand driven by data centers, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence and supercomputing.

Topics included how utilities prioritize service requests, what infrastructure is needed to support large-scale users and how Arizona is preparing for a more electrified future.

“This is exactly the kind of conversation that needs to be happening as communities like Maricopa continue to grow,” said Josh Bowman of the city’s Office of Economic Opportunity. “Access to reliable, scalable power is no longer a background issue; it’s a deciding factor for companies looking to invest, expand, and innovate.”

A second Arizona Tech Week session took place in Maricopa today, shifting focus to water, another key factor shaping growth across the state.

City officials said Tuesday’s discussion highlighted Maricopa’s partnership with Global Water Resources and how the city is balancing conservation with continued development. The session also included a tour of local water reclamation facilities.

City leaders framed both sessions as part of a broader effort to position Maricopa within statewide conversations about infrastructure, sustainability and economic growth.