Marana’s town limits encompass over 120 square miles of land, located approximately 25 miles north of Downtown Tucson and 85 miles south of Phoenix, with 20 miles of frontage along Interstate 10. This positions Marana strategically to capitalize on the growth of the Tucson and Phoenix metropolitan areas. Marana’s large supply of available land, as well as secured water rights along the Santa Cruz River, have led to rapid development over the past several years, and position the town well for continued growth. The community was historically dominated by agricultural activities, including ranching, homesteading, and cotton farming, as well as mining. In 1977, the Town of Marana was incorporated, and has since taken on a more suburban character, experiencing consistent development. Its position between Tucson and Phoenix make it a prime strategic location for a wide variety of economic activities.

Principal Economic Activities

Marana has a variety of industries, including aerospace, mining, manufacturing, logistics, technology, retail, construction, and healthcare. A notable advanced manufacturing sector exists, with employers such as Sargent Aerospace & Defense, Leonardo, FLSmidth Krebs, Alicat Scientific, International Towers, Roche Diagnostics, and PVB Fabrications. The Town’s location is ideal for logistics and manufacturing, with several companies investing in over 2 million square feet of industrial projects. Marana has also been a leader in single-family residential construction in the past several years, being the fastest-growing community in Southern Arizona and the third-fastest-growing community in the state for several years. Marana’s leadership creates and adopts business-supportive policies which encourage responsible growth and the development of career-oriented commerce. The Town has also partnered with a well-known developer with an extensive portfolio in Downtown Tucson and around the nation, for the development of a downtown area in northwest Marana. The mixed-use area will be a hub for business, entertainment, retail, and culture.

Scenic Attractions

Marana’s many scenic attractions bring in visitors from all around the world. The beautiful Tortolita Mountains are home to many miles of hiking trails, including the Wild Burro Trail. The Tortolita Mountains are also home to the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, which is one of the top-rated resorts in the world. The El Rio Preserve, in the shadows of the Tucson Mountains on Marana’s west side, is a hotspot for birding enthusiasts. The West District of Saguaro National Park, with its expansive cactus forests, shares a boundary with the Town, and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Old Tucson are a short drive away. Golfers can enjoy themselves on Marana’s five highly-rated courses.

Community Facilities

Marana’s parks and amenities make the community an attractive place to live and work. The Town is home to two regional parks as well as eight community parks that primarily serve master-planned housing developments. Additionally, a Multi-Generational Community and Aquatics Center will be constructed in the Downtown Marana area in the near future. Marana Regional Airport has more than 110,000 combined takeoffs and landings each year, and is able to accommodate aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 737. An air traffic control tower is planned, which will allow the airport to serve a wider clientele.