West-MEC

The City of Peoria and Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC) are bringing two new West-MEC skilled education centers to Peoria.

A new Career and Technical Education (CTE) campus will be situated on city-owned land at 95th and Peoria Avenues. The agreement includes an option for West-MEC to purchase the land at market value. While specific CTE programs are under review, the city has expressed interest in aligning career tracks with the following industries: Semiconductor clean room operations, Welding, Medical fields, Electrical work, and Water/wastewater management.

A second West-MEC campus is coming to FIVE NORTH at Vistancia. This five-to-seven-acre campus will focus on medical fields.

Updates
The Peoria City Council approved an intergovernmental and ground lease agreement at their February 11, 2025 meeting. The West-MEC Governing Board endorsed the partnership at their meeting on February 12, 2025.

At the November 4, 2025 meeting, the Peoria City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement paving the way for West-MEC to construct a skilled education center in FIVE NORTH at Vistancia.

Background
Peoria recognizes the need for a skilled workforce in for companies the City is targeting in the semiconductor, medical and defense industries. The city has been collaborating with West-MEC to establish a campus in North Peoria, within the Peoria Innovation Core area. While awaiting the availability of state land in that area, the city identified an opportunity to build a campus in South Peoria, where property is available and the waiting list for West-MEC’s programs is extensive.