(Feb. 20, 2026) – Grand Canyon University and the City of Phoenix have extended a Development Agreement that has been in place since 2015, further strengthening a partnership that has promoted community investment, neighborhood revitalization and long-term economic growth in West Phoenix.
The 10-year extension, which was approved unanimously during the Phoenix City Council meeting on Wednesday, supports projects that are mutually beneficial to both the university and the city.
“This agreement continues our combined commitment to collaborative, community-centered development that benefits residents, students and businesses alike,” said GCU President Brian Mueller. “We’d like to thank the City of Phoenix, Mayor Kate Gallego, District 5 Councilwoman Betty Guardado and the entire Phoenix City Council for their unwavering commitment to ensuring that our growth continues to positively impact the surrounding community. Together, we are building something that will serve Phoenix for generations.”
GCU, the largest Christian university in the country, is a major economic driver in the region, contributing $2.8 billion annually in economic activity according to a 2025 study by Elliott D. Pollack & Company – a figure that is expected to grow to $5.4 billion annually over the next 10 years. The ongoing operations of GCU have created an average of 21,248 jobs annually over the past 10 years, according to the Pollack study, while also generating $807 million in tax revenue during that time for the City of Phoenix, Maricopa County and State of Arizona.
The university continues to invest in infrastructure, public safety, beautification and workforce development while also living out its five-point plan to revitalize West Phoenix through 1) serving families in need by providing free household goods from its CityServe warehouse, 2) making neighborhoods safer through partnerships with the City of Phoenix and neighborhood groups, 3) improving home values through a home renovation partnership with Habitat for Humanity, 4) providing equal opportunity education solutions with full-tuition scholarships for low-income students, and 5) creating jobs on campus and in West Phoenix.
Councilwoman Guardado, who represents the district in which GCU resides, was a driving force in the efforts to renew the development agreement.
“This reflects what is possible when a city and a university come together with a shared commitment to students, families and long-term community growth,” Guardado said. “Grand Canyon University has been an important partner in West Phoenix, investing not only in education but in public safety, neighborhood revitalization and economic opportunity. This agreement provides the framework for responsible growth, infrastructure enhancements and ongoing engagement with neighborhood stakeholders that is thoughtful, inclusive and aligned with the needs of the community. I am proud of the collaborative work that brought us to this moment and excited about the continued positive impact this will have on our community.”
