By Roland Murphy for AZBEX
News reports state permitting is underway for a planned 69KSF facility by NRS Logistics America Inc. in Casa Grande to store hazardous chemicals used in semiconductor and electric vehicle battery manufacturing.
The new plant will be located on 40 acres at the SWC of Ethington and Illinois roads, south of the Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway.
An Aug. 7 announcement distributed by the Arizona Commerce Authority reported, “The facility will feature temperature-controlled storage for specific hazard classes for flammable, corrosive chemicals and oxidizers for use in semiconductor chip production and electric vehicle battery manufacturing. In addition, the facility will also accommodate portable bulk tank storage and lift operations.”
The 69KSF storage facility will constitute Phase I of the development, according to ACA. Phase II will be an expansion to include rail operations.
A July 27 announcement from Land Advisors Organization said NRS Logistics America Inc. paid $7.05M for 40 acres in the Auza 650 industrial park, including four acres of rail right of way.
According to LAO, “Auza 650 is the largest shovel ready, rail-served, single-owner industrial park in Casa Grande. The Union Pacific main line runs directly through Casa Grande and connects directly into the Auza 650 property through the Casa Grande Yard. In addition to the transportation benefits of being on the main line, Auza 650 has Interstate 8 and Interstate 10 each within three miles of the property.”
LAO’s Kirk McCarville said, “Proximity to Phoenix. Proximity to its suppliers in the semiconductor industry. Land price. Housing affordability for employees. This deal made sense on so many levels for NRS Logistics. It features unmatched highway and rail access for logistics. It also will experience a positive development environment at the city and county levels. The speed to market and rail service will be unmatched.”
NRS Logistics America is the U.S. subsidiary of the Japanese company NRS Logistics.
The news report says the permitting process will take “a few weeks” and cites NRS Logistics’ local site leader Tony Martinez as saying construction should begin “within a week or two” after the process is complete.
The Arizona Commerce Authority announcement said Phase I is expected to finish construction and begin operations by Q4 2024.
