Innovation 27 workforce training center coming to Phoenix

PHOENIX — The city of Phoenix will break ground on a new $43.5 million project to create a workforce and education center on Wednesday.

The groundbreaking ceremony sets Innovation 27 on track to be completed in the summer of 2026.

Upon completion, it will provide services for jobseekers of all ages at the northwest corner of 27th and Northern avenues.

Phoenix City Councilwoman Betty Guardado, who represents the district the center will be in, is excited to see the project underway after years of planning.

“It’s going to be an education hub for people of all ages, … (including) adults who are trying to retool,” Guardado said.

How will workforce and education center in Phoenix help jobseekers?

Innovation 27 will offer trade courses at levels ranging from high school to university.

Its various partners for education include:

• The West-MEC high school district
• Maricopa Community Colleges
• Arizona State University
• Northern Arizona University
• Washington Elementary School District

Innovation 27 has been in the works for at least five years, according to Jeff Spellman with the Violence Impact Coalition, which provides services for locals from Dunlap to Indian School and 19th Avenue to 35th Avenue.

When she first joined the Phoenix City Council, Guardado held a meeting with Spellman and the two brainstormed a project in the area of 27th Avenue. Initially, they wanted to create a food innovation center, but the vision morphed into a workforce and education training center.

Leaders hope Innovation 27 will provide new opportunities to the Valley

Spellman said the center will help young people who are trying to decide what to do with their lives by providing opportunities in the trades.

“They can go out into the field and work and make a good living and feel like they can call this area home,” he said. “Right now there isn’t those kinds of opportunities for young people.”

However, the training provided at Innovation 27 won’t be limited to youths or people starting a trade career. It can also serve people with various needs, such as those who are deep into their careers but want to try something new.

“(It’s also) for adults who are trying to re-tool or don’t like their job anymore and are trying to seek a new career path,” Guardado said.

Innovation 27 project one of many projects to revitalize Phoenix

The project also ties in with a large-scale effort to revitalize communities in Phoenix near the I-17 and Metrocenter.

That includes The Haven, a hotel-turned-shelter for unhoused seniors, as well as a nearby affordable housing project that’s being converted from a motel.

Grand Canyon University has also committed to working with Phoenix Police, also on 27th avenue, to help crack down on local crime.

“We’re hoping we’ll be able to do more in years to come,” Guardado said of city investments.

Spellman said he’s optimistic about the future of the community he has called home for 40 years.

“I think it’s going to be an incentive for other businesses to come in and invest and re-develop the area,” he said. “I think five years down the road things are going to look very different than they do today.”