Gilbert is a young, affluent community in central Arizona. Incorporated on July 6, 1920, Gilbert is a relatively new community that has seen tremendous growth during the past two decades. The 2003 Gilbert Community Profile provides a broad overview of this growing town and metropolitan area, including demo-graphics, business resources, and community resources. It is an excellent reference for businesses and residents alike.

The Hay Capital of the World

In 1902, the Arizona Eastern Railway asked for donations of right of way in order to establish a rail line between Phoenix and Florence. A rail siding was established on property owned by William “Bobby” Gilbert. The siding, and the town that sprung up around it, eventually became known as Gilbert. Gilbert was a prime farming community, fueled by the construction of the Roosevelt Dam and the Eastern and Consolidated Canals in 1911. It remained an agriculture town for many years, and was known as the “Hay Capital of the World” until the late 1920s. Gilbert began to take its current shape during the 1970s when the Town Council approved a strip annexation that encompassed 53 square miles of county land. Although the population was only 1,971 in 1970 the Council realized that Gilbert would eventually grow and develop much like the neighboring communities of Tempe, Mesa, and Chandler. This proved to be a farsighted decision as Gilbert positioned itself for growth in the 1980s and beyond.

Gilbert Today

Gilbert has experienced a rapid transition from a historically agriculture-based community to an urban center and suburb in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. In the last two decades, Gilbert has grown at a pace unparalleled by most communities in the United States, increasing in population from 5,717 in 1980 to over 138,000 in January 2003. As Gilbert has grown, the community has recognized the need to develop a strong, diverse economy while preserving its highly desirable quality of life. To proactively direct the growth and development of the community, the Town Council adopted the General Plan 2001 on July 10, 2001, which revised existing elements, added those required under Arizona “Growing Smarter” legislation, and incorporated new land use and economic growth considerations.

Gilbert Tomorrow

The Town of Gilbert is continuously planning for the future in order to meet the needs of tomorrow. As the Town continues to grow so does Gilbert’s commitment to providing residents, businesses and employees with the best possible services, programs and accommodations. Several new projects, recently completed or currently under construction, demonstrate this commitment. These include the new Public Safety Complex, Community Development Building, Freestone Recreation Center and the Town’s continued investment in the Heritage District.

New Regional Mall - In 1998, Gilbert established zoning for the Town’s first regional mall. Westcor, the developer of Superstition Springs, Chandler Fashion Center and many other shopping centers in the Phoenix area, will develop the regional mall. The mall will be adjacent to the new Santan Freeway, bordered roughly by Greenfield Road, Ray Road, and Williams Field Road as it makes its way through central Gilbert. Construction of the freeway reached the mall site in 2006. The power center, located just south of the mall site, have businesses open since Fall 2004.

Gateway Area Plan - The Town Council adopted the Gateway Area Plan on July 25, 2000. The plan is part of the General Plan 2001, ratified by Gilbert voters in November 2001. The Gateway Character Area is adjacent to Williams Gateway Airport and Arizona State University East Campus. These two facilities are in Mesa, but their entrances are adjacent to Gilbert. The Gateway Character Area covers approximately 4,320 acres, generally located between Warner Road and Pecos Road; from Power Road to Greenfield Road. Gilbert has been a partner in the Williams Gateway Airport Authority since the Air Force announced the closure of Williams Air Force Base in 1992. The Authority and several other regional institutions have converted the base to a mix of employment and educational facilities.

The Gateway Area will establish a neighborhood village feel in the area that serves William Gateway, ASU East, and the thousands of new residents that will be living near both of these facilities. The Gateway Area will not only provide shopping and services, but also a vibrant entertainment element. The combination will create a new traditional village center for the region that will grow with the area as it matures.

Gilbert Strategic Plan - Faced with limited resources and unprecedented growth, the Town of Gilbert has turned to strategic management to transform the entire organization, and the services we provide. In conjunction with the Town of Gilbert Corporate Strategic Plan, the Gilbert Business Development Department and the Gilbert Business Development Advisory Board developed the first Gilbert Business Development Department Five Year Strategic Plan in 1999. Each year the plan is revisited to ensure current economic issues and trends are addressed appropriately by staff. The current plan, now in the process of being updated, addresses advertising, database management, marketing, targeted business clusters, prospect management, department structure and more. Strategic planning is planning for results. Successfully carrying out the plan will ensure positive results now and in the future.

– As Reported on City of Gilbert site (01/04/2008)