The Heart of a Growing Community

BizTUCSONJuly 7, 2026

3 minutes read

Sahuarita Town Center Evolves Into Civic and Economic Hub

By Loni Nannini

The Rancho Sahuarita master plan has always transcended home building, embracing the blueprint for a complete community where residents can live, work, shop, gather and build their lives close to home.

That vision is increasingly taking shape through the continued evolution of the Sahuarita Town Center.

“The Sahuarita Town Center has always been envisioned as the heart of the community,” said Jeremy Sharpe, managing partner of Rancho Sahuarita. “It’s where commerce, community life and civic engagement come together. The goal has never been simply to build retail. It’s to create a place where people connect.”

The Sahuarita Town Center represents the culmination of decades of planning and investment designed to support both Rancho Sahuarita and the broader Town of Sahuarita. Spanning approximately 350 acres, the mixed-use district is emerging as the community’s primary hub for employment, commerce, healthcare, hospitality, civic services and community events.

“We’ve always believed that commercial development should follow residential growth,” Sharpe said. “As the community matures, the Sahuarita Town Center becomes the economic engine that supports long-term prosperity and quality of life.”

Today, the Sahuarita Town Center includes the Rancho Sahuarita Marketplace, Village, and the Corner, featuring a growing collection of retail, dining and service businesses. The area is also home to key civic and institutional venues, including educational facilities, healthcare providers, municipal services, places of worship and community gathering spaces.

But Sharpe believes the Sahuarita Town Center’s greatest value extends beyond physical buildings.

“We want to create a true ‘Main Street’ environment,” he said. “A place where families attend community events, small businesses thrive, residents gather with neighbors and local traditions take root. Those are the elements that transform a commercial district into the center of a community.”

That vision has been strengthened through a longstanding partnership with the Town of Sahuarita.

“So often across the country, developers and municipalities operate independently,” Sharpe said. “One of the reasons Sahuarita has been successful is the collaborative relationship we’ve built with town leadership. We share a commitment to thoughtful growth and a willingness to work together to solve problems.”

Sahuarita Mayor Tom Murphy recognizes the benefits of deliberate, purpose-driven development and believes that collaboration and accessibility are key to the business-friendly environment in Sahuarita.

“Intentional growth, strong infrastructure and a commitment to public safety have helped create the foundation for a community where people want to live, work and invest,” Murphy said.

That investment has generated meaningful economic impact across Southern Arizona.

A significant recent addition is Northwest Medical Center Sahuarita, which brought approximately 150 high-quality jobs to the community while expanding healthcare access for residents. According to The Chamber of Southern Arizona, the hospital is expected to generate an estimated $165 million in regional economic impact during its first five years of operation.

“The cumulative impact of the Sahuarita Town Center’s growth has been substantial,” Sharpe said. “Every new business, employer and service creates opportunities that strengthen the broader economy and improve quality of life for residents.”

The Sahuarita Town Center has also evolved into a gathering place for some of the community’s signature events, including Winterfest, food truck gatherings and other celebrations that bring together residents, businesses and visitors throughout the year.

“These events create a sense of identity and belonging,” Murphy said. “They help connect neighborhoods, support local businesses and reinforce what makes Sahuarita special.”

Looking ahead, Rancho Sahuarita plans continued expansion of the Sahuarita Town Center through additional hospitality, restaurant, medical and mixed-use opportunities.

“We’ve been intentional about sequencing growth so that each new investment complements and strengthens what’s already here,” Sharpe said. “That’s how you build a lasting community rather than simply assembling a collection of buildings.”

Sharpe said that several significant announcements are expected in the near future as the next phase of commercial growth moves forward.

Ultimately, for Sharpe and Rancho Sahuarita, the Town Center is much more than a development project. It represents the realization of a long-term vision for community building.

“When people can live near where they work, access quality healthcare, support local businesses, attend community events and build relationships with their neighbors, something powerful happens,” he said. “The Sahuarita Town Center is helping create that environment, and we’re excited about what comes next.”