By Micah Miranda, Economic Development Director, City of Chandler Office of Economic Development 

This article is part of a year-long blog series, Partner Profiles: Bringing the AZ STEM Ecosystem to Life.  We’ll be highlighting the organizations statewide that build bridges and create connections to unite a wide array of STEM-focused industries.

In Arizona, STEM does more than fuel classrooms or laboratories; it shapes cities, strengthens economies, and creates opportunities for future generations. In the City of Chandler, that connection between innovation and community growth is front and center through the work of the City of Chandler Economic Development Division.

Focused on fostering a vibrant, creative community where residents and businesses can excel, the division plays a major role in supporting the industries that continue to position Chandler as a hub for technology, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and innovation. But beyond attracting companies and investment, the work is also about people, particularly students and future workforce leaders.

For Economic Development Director Micah Miranda, STEM is deeply tied to building pathways between education and opportunity.

By partnering with schools, higher education institutions, and organizations like SciTech Institute, the division helps connect students and educators to real-world STEM careers and experiences happening right in their own community. The goal is not only to prepare students for tomorrow’s workforce, but to help them see themselves as part of it.

One of the clearest examples of that work is the Chandler Innovation Fair, which celebrated its 15th anniversary in February of this year. Over the years, the event has grown into a major community STEM celebration, bringing together students, educators, families, and industry leaders for a day centered on hands-on learning and exploration.

In partnership with the Chandler Unified School District, the fair creates opportunities for young people to engage directly with STEM in ways that feel exciting, approachable, and connected to future careers. From interactive exhibits to conversations with professionals, the event helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application.

That early exposure matters, especially in a city where STEM industries continue to grow rapidly. Chandler’s economic landscape is increasingly shaped by high-tech and innovation-driven sectors, creating demand for a skilled workforce across engineering, healthcare, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and technology fields.

For Miranda, one of the most exciting parts of STEM is seeing students recognize those possibilities for themselves.

When young people can connect what they are learning in school to actual careers and industries in their own community, STEM goes from a set of school subject to becoming a pathway. That connection not only strengthens individual futures but also helps communities continue to grow and adapt in an increasingly technology-driven world.

Beyond events like the Innovation Fair, the City of Chandler Economic Development Division also supports workforce development initiatives, industry-education partnerships, business retention efforts, and collaborations that connect local employers with emerging talent. These efforts help strengthen Arizona’s STEM pipeline while building long-term economic resilience.

At the same time, the division recognizes that access to STEM opportunities is not always equal.

Supporting rural and underrepresented communities remains an important part of building a truly inclusive innovation economy. As Miranda shared, “Talent is everywhere, but access isn’t.” That perspective reflects a growing understanding across Arizona’s STEM ecosystem: when students have access to relevant, hands-on STEM opportunities, they rise to meet the challenge.

Communities benefit too. Expanding STEM access helps create stronger local workforces, broader representation in STEM industries, and more opportunities for young people to envision futures they may not have previously considered.

Looking ahead, the City of Chandler Economic Development Division plans to continue expanding STEM-focused partnerships, workforce initiatives, and community events that connect education with industry needs. The work reflects Chandler’s broader identity as a “Community of Innovation” that sees STEM not only as an economic driver, but as a tool for creating connection, opportunity, and long-term impact.

In Chandler, innovation shows up in classrooms, community events, student experiences, and partnerships that help learners imagine what’s possible. By investing in STEM today, the city is helping shape a future where Arizona’s next generation of thinkers and doers already has a place to grow.