Hadrian Factory 3 Ribbon Cutting in Mesa

Mesa’s Industrial Future is Now: Mayor Mark Freeman Joins Hadrian for Factory 3 Grand Opening

On January 29, 2026, Mayor Mark Freeman joined Governor Katie Hobbs, local leaders, and aerospace executives to officially cut the ribbon on Factory 3 (F3), a revolutionary AI-powered manufacturing facility by Hadrian. The 290,000-square-foot facility, located at The Cubes at Mesa Gateway, marks a major milestone in the city's effort to reindustrialize and strengthen the American defense supply chain.

The grand opening follows a successful partnership that began in July 2025, when Hadrian first announced its intent to bring its highly automated "factory-as-a-service" model to the East Valley.

A Fast-Track to Innovation

The project moved at remarkable speed, transitioning from announcement to operational ribbon-cutting in just six months. Hadrian CEO Chris Power previously credited the city’s efficiency for this rapid timeline, noting that Mesa has been a leader in addressing the "practical stuff"—such as permitting, workforce development, and energy connectivity—that can often stall large-scale industrial projects in other regions.

"Arizona’s been great to work with on the practical stuff like permitting, workforce, getting energy connected to the building – all these basic things that are harder to do in some states," Power told Bloomberg during the development process.

Economic and National Impact

The $200 million investment is expected to create over 350 high-wage jobs. The facility utilizes advanced robotics, software, and artificial intelligence to produce mission-critical components for rockets, satellites, and jets up to ten times faster than traditional manufacturing methods.

The city’s partnership with Hadrian also includes the Mesa Resident Job Creation Program, an initiative designed to prioritize the hiring of local residents. This program underscores the Mayor’s commitment to ensuring that Mesa’s economic growth provides direct benefits and career paths for the community's workforce.

A Shared Vision for the Future

The ribbon-cutting event brought together a broad coalition of stakeholders, highlighting the regional collaboration necessary for such a high-tech venture. Key attendees included:

• Governmental Leadership: Mayor Mark Freeman, Governor Katie Hobbs, and Congressman Andy Biggs.

• Hadrian Executive Team: Founder and CEO Chris Power, along with Chris Baker, Lars Lider, and Richard McKee.

• Strategic Partners: The Mesa Office of Economic Development and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC).

As Factory 3 enters full-scale production, it stands as a testament to Mesa's role as a national hub for advanced manufacturing, ensuring that the next era of aerospace technology is designed and built right here in Arizona.