Councilwoman Betty Guardado Excited to Announce Innovation 27 Groundbreaking
On May 7, 2025, District 5 Councilwoman Betty Guardado took part in a ceremonial groundbreaking celebration for Innovation 27 that will turn a vacant Kmart at the northwest corner of I-17 and Northern Avenue into an advanced education and workforce development facility. “Innovation 27 represents a transformative opportunity for Phoenix, not only addressing the need for job training but also bringing new life to a key location in District 5,” District 5 Councilwoman Betty Guardado said. “This is the kind of forward-thinking investment that will strengthen our community and drive sustainable growth for years to come.” Scheduled to open in summer 2026, Innovation 27 will be a diverse space will include community college education programming, business space for start-ups and small businesses, a hub for culinary support services, classes for workforce development and a training center for residents to learn new or increase their own skills to help them succeed. A key element of Innovation 27’s mission is to connect residents with union-led job training programs—creating pathways to high-quality, good-paying careers in the trades. Partnerships with local labor unions will ensure hands-on learning experiences and access to apprenticeships that empower residents to enter fields such as construction, electrical, carpentry, culinary, and more. The City has worked for years in planning for the project with academic partners, including Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, Maricopa Community Colleges, West-MEC, the Washington Elementary School District, and ARIZONA@WORK City of Phoenix. The funding for Innovation 27 comes in part from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which provides financial assistance to cities and states recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a grant from Maricopa County and a Community Project Funding grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. |
Councilwoman Guardado Celebrates Innovation 27 Groundbreaking
