Coolidge is one of the fastest growing cities in Arizona, located in the heart of the “Sun Corridor." Situated halfway between Phoenix and Tucson, Coolidge is home to the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, a prehistoric site operated by the National Park Service. The city continues to be the commercial center of Arizona’s cotton industry and is a business-friendly city that attracts investment and new businesses, while supporting existing businesses. In 1925, after construction of the Coolidge Dam transformed the flat desert into rich farm and ranch land, R.J. Jones laid out an 80-acre site to found Coolidge. The city’s name honors President Calvin Coolidge, who dedicated the dam in 1930. Almost 100,000 people annually visit the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge to learn about the Hohokam people who constructed the Casa Grande (Spanish for big house), a four-story caliche structure built in the 1300s.

Principal Economic Activities

From Coolidge’s founding until the early 1950s, the economy was mainly dependent on agriculture and mining. Its economy has diversified to include manufacturing, tourism, regional trade, services for agricultural producers, green energy solutions including solar farms and more. The Inland Port of Arizona (IPAZ), Coolidge Industrial Park, Union Pacific Railroad Industrial Park and Randolph Industrial Park have boosted the presence of manufacturing. The city is setting the stage for increased economic development in these industrial centers. Nikola Motors' sprawling manufacturing facility in IPAZ utilizes green technology producing battery and hydrogen electric vehicles. At full build out, the company anticipates their campus occupying nearly a million square feet. A mixture of manufacturing, especially in the southern part of Coolidge, has also taken shape. The City anticipates future developments in this region as more companies call Coolidge home to their manufacturing and distribution operations.

Scenic Attractions

The Coolidge Historical Society Museum displays historical artifacts from Coolidge and the surrounding areas from the 1920s to 1950s. Many photographs from the early days in Coolidge are part of the museum exhibits. The Coolidge Performing Arts Center showcases the performing arts through an abundance of musical, educational and other artistic performances. The Pinal Gem and Mineral Museum is located at the Artisan Village in Coolidge. This spacious collection features specimens from all over Arizona and the world.

Community Facilities

Coolidge offers a broad range of community facilities including a newly constructed aquatics center, library, performing arts center, youth recreation, adult centers and multiple parks. Coolidge has a multicomplex with several tennis courts and softball, baseball and soccer fields. In addition, the Central Arizona College Campus and the Central Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology provide excellent educational programs.