As Arizona continues to develop, commercial real estate (CRE) in Light Industrial spaces in Opportunity Zones is booming. Curiosity leads us to ask: Which businesses will come to these areas, and, better yet, what common signs will be needed in light industrial spaces?
Here’s a commercial real estate “Opportunity Zone” example we found: There are 8.22 acres of Light Industrial land for sale in Eloy, Arizona. The property is located west of the northwest corner of Battaglia Drive and Tweedy Road, kitty-corner from the Owens Corning facility. It is offered at $1,432,253, or $4.00 per square foot, and is positioned for industrial users and investors looking for access, infrastructure, and future growth.
What businesses might this Eloy, AZ opportunity attract?
- Manufacturing and Assembly (i.e., food and beverage production, consumer goods assembly),
- Storage and Distribution (i.e., self-storage facilities, warehouse, and fulfillment); or
- Commercial and Office (i.e., corporate headquarters, auto repair & service, labs)
Different business types may come to Eloy, but there is one commonality they will share: Signs.
At a minimum, building signs need to communicate what’s going on inside, who it’s for, and when it’s open.
Three main sign types, Manufacturing, Storage, and Commercial buildings all need:
- Exterior building signs – buildings need to be identified and branded
- Wayfinding signs – people have to find the building, and once inside, need to know where they are going
- Interior lobby signs – a branded tagline or logo
Once investors have made their purchases, and properties are developed, signage for new businesses in Eloy (“East Line of Yuma”) will have an important job. The signs will need to attract the right buyers, communicate a “new location”, and feel welcoming to the existing community and/or the community that will be created with the new development.
Signs do many things. What is the hidden opportunity?
While wayfinding and branding are the primary reasons for signs, a major missed opportunity lies in how they impact the human experience. Beyond basic information, effective signage offers the hidden opportunity to:
- Create a sense of belonging
- Reduce anxiety
- Decrease anger
- Increase peace of mind
Let’s go back to our previous examples to demonstrate these hidden opportunities:
Exterior Building Signs – Signs outside of buildings do more than brand; they welcome. By using beautiful materials such as acrylic or polycarbonate, combined with dramatic lighting techniques (i.e., halo-lit, front-face lighting), companies can create a vibe. That vibe translates. No signage equates to sterility and stagnancy. Nobody wants that.
Wayfinding Signs – Signs that direct people to where they need to go will reduce anxiety, lessen moments of explosive rage, and increase peace. (Don’t believe us? Picture this: you’ve driven from Gilbert all the way to Eloy for a meeting; you’ve barely made it on time due to one-lane highway madness. You arrive at your destination, but you have no idea which parking lot to choose. Once parked, I have no idea which door to go into. Once inside, do you go right, left, up, or down? You’re sweating from the 115-degree heat, and now you’re angry. Directional signs could have prevented you from getting hot and bothered.
Interior Lobby Signs – Most people would rather not be inside working. Why not make the job experience visually soothing while there? Interior signs create a sense of belonging, a communal sense of place and even well-being.
The takeaway? Light industrial spaces are not immune to the need for effective signs.
Let’s talk a little more about an Opportunity Zone.
Opportunity Zone. What does that actually mean?
“Opportunity Zone” sounds like a powerful selling point, but what does it mean for investors and business owners looking to set up shop in Eloy?
A Qualified Opportunity Zone is an economically distressed community that has been officially designated for a federal investment program. New investments made under certain conditions may qualify for preferential federal tax treatment. The purpose of the program is to encourage private investment, economic development, and job creation in designated areas.
Eloy’s business corridor follows an area near Interstate 10 and the Union Pacific rail line that contains large, industrially zoned, utility-served properties. The corridor is already home to companies such as Owens Corning, Schuff Steel, Republic Plastics, Otto Industries, National Gypsum, Elrus USA, and TravelCenters of America.
That concentration of industrial activity helps buyers picture what this property could become.
Owens Corning is located kitty-corner from the parcel mentioned above. Schuff Steel and Republic Plastics further reinforce the area’s manufacturing and industrial presence. The City of Eloy is also actively promoting sites that can support heavy industry, warehousing, distribution, e-commerce, and other growing business uses.
For business owners looking for a place to create community and establish themselves, Eloy could be a wonderful opportunity.
All we have to say is: no matter the business, they all need one thing: Signs.
These signs do not need to look flashy or overly decorative. They should feel clear, durable, credible, and appropriate for an industrial environment. Truthfully, strong lettering, visible contrast, and thoughtful placement will communicate more confidence than an overcrowded design filled with unnecessary effects.
Last thoughts about signs:
Tip for CREs and new business owners in Eloy: Spend money where people will notice the difference.
Allocating your sign budget takes strategy. The first priority should be visibility:
- Can someone see the sign before reaching your nearest intersection?
- Is the lettering large enough to read from the road?
- Does the sign stand out against the surrounding land, buildings, and sky?
- Can the main message be understood in a few seconds?
- Could future construction, landscaping, vehicles, or equipment block the sign?
These questions matter more than adding window vinyl, LED, floor signs, or wall murals (and we LOVE doing these signs for you!).
Remember: A simple sign with strong contrast and clear lettering can outperform a more expensive design that is difficult to understand.
At Collab Sign & Design, we believe getting the most bang for your buck starts with understanding what your sign needs to accomplish today and how the property may change tomorrow. As a sign concierge, we are ready to help commercial real estate agents and business owners in Eloy, AZ, create new opportunities for the future. We’ll handle signage every step of the way. Call Matt or Peppur at 480.790.4657.
