Buckeye Council Meeting

At the October 6, 2026 Buckeye City Council meeting, Arizona State University researchers presented an economic-impact study of the 2026 Buckeye AirFair. The presentation reported approximately $3.47 million in direct spending in Maricopa County and a combined county impact of $4.85 million in output. For the combined Buckeye–Maricopa County analysis, the study estimated leverage of $2.55 in gross regional product and $3.98 in output per dollar of city operating expenses; it also found that about 66% of visitor, pilot, and vendor spending remained in Buckeye. Council discussed the city’s roughly $1 million in operating expenses and more than $400,000 in related general-fund revenue, which was excluded from the reported impact calculation because its subsequent use was not known.

The ASU presentation was provided under a city contract for the study, but the transcript records no contract amount, procurement action, motion, or vote. Researchers and city staff offered recommendations on marketing, lodging and local-business partnerships, event signage, visitor experience, and attracting more pilots and corporate attendees; these were discussed as future opportunities, not approved purchases or budget commitments. The council praised the study and event and expressed interest in a future study as the AirFair grows.