Written by Kaitlyn Neff, Senior Policy Analyst at SRP and VYP Board Member
The Phoenix metro area is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country and shows no signs of slowing down. Businesses are expanding, new industries are emerging, and nearly 200 people are moving to the Valley each day. Growth is transforming our economy, our infrastructure, and our future. But how do we power it all?
From my vantage point in public affairs in the power sector, I see this challenge from both a policy and leadership perspective. The Greater Phoenix region is at a tipping point. Energy demand is skyrocketing, driven by factors like advanced manufacturing, data centers, electric vehicles, and population growth. Our power systems need to keep up with our ambitions.
Reliable and affordable power is the backbone of our economy, from tech and healthcare to tourism and retail. For small business owners, power interruptions can mean lost revenue. For major employers, grid constraints can limit expansion. For entrepreneurs, energy innovation creates entirely new markets.
The future of Phoenix’s business community hinges on innovative infrastructure and the next generation of leaders who will build it. That’s where young professionals come in.
Valley Young Professionals (VYP) is cultivating the talent that will shape the next era of leadership in Greater Phoenix. Our members come from every sector, including many of the industries most affected by energy transformation. We are engineers modernizing the grid, advocates influencing policy, entrepreneurs driving innovation, and creatives shaping culture. We are not only inheriting challenges; we are creating solutions.
If we want to keep Greater Phoenix a top spot for innovation, talent, and investment, we need to recognize that powering our region means more than just adding megawatts. It means building coalitions among industries, investing in long-term infrastructure, and giving young professionals the space to lead. Now, not later.
As Phoenix grows, we need to make sure we are powering our economy with intention and investing in the systems and workforce that will carry us forward. Phoenix is on the rise, and we have the power and responsibility to shape what the future holds.
The Greater Phoenix Chamber’s new Energy in Focus series will bring together business leaders, policy experts, and innovators to explore the energy issues shaping our economy. Whether you’re deep in the energy world or just curious about how the grid affects your bottom line, this new series is a great way to stay informed and engaged.
If you’re an early- to mid-career professional looking to connect, grow, and lead in your community, I encourage you to join the Greater Phoenix Chamber’s Valley Young Professionals. Our members are actively working to shape not just their own careers, but the future of the region.