Buckeye’s Healthcare Attraction Journey: A Strategic Vision for Growth

Jan 31, 2025 | Uncategorized

 

As one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, Buckeye is experiencing an unprecedented demand for healthcare services. With a young, family-oriented population, the need for comprehensive medical care has never been greater. From outpatient facilities and specialty care to pediatrics, women’s health, sports medicine, and hospitals, Buckeye presents an ideal opportunity for healthcare expansion. Recognizing this growing need, in 2019 the Economic Development department launched a comprehensive Healthcare Market Study driven by both local and industry data. This strategic initiative laid the groundwork for Buckeye’s healthcare development, offering a two-phase approach: first, assessing the current healthcare climate, and second, analyzing the services and providers residents were leaving the community for. A key component of this study was healthcare data the city acquired, which provided invaluable insights into local healthcare demands.

The findings of the Healthcare Market Study revealed that residents frequently leave the community to seek medical services elsewhere. To understand this outflow, we examined which services residents were traveling for and identified the top 10 diagnostic service lines most in demand. These service lines highlighted critical gaps in local healthcare offerings, emphasizing the need for strategic expansion. To address these gaps, our Economic Development team compiled key insights from the study and engaged directly with major healthcare providers operating within Buckeye already, as well as those in the region, including Banner Health and Abrazo Health.

Rather than merely presenting the findings, the department made a strong case for expansion, positioning Buckeye as the optimal location for new and expanded healthcare facilities due to the city’s unprecedented population growth and demand for services. By leveraging demographic trends, growth projections, and the demonstrated demand for services, the city effectively pitched itself as a prime destination for healthcare investment. Thanks to the department’s efforts, the city successfully engaged both Banner Health and Abrazo Medical, both of which plan to expand services and develop full-scale medical campuses featuring Class A medical office space, ambulatory services, acute care hospitals, and more. The impact of the market study extends even further. Three medical office buildings are now open along Watson Road and Verrado Way, providing services to residents. Additionally, a new medical office space is planned for development north of the I-10 and Verrado Way.

Buckeye is focused on expanding healthcare services as part of its overall growth, making sure residents have access to quality care close to home. As the city grows, so does the need for local healthcare options. With a data-driven approach and a clear vision, Buckeye is building a strong, accessible healthcare network to support its community now and in the future.