By Jennifer Conrad, Managing Editor
Scottsdale might be about to lose one of its biggest success stories. Axon Enterprise Inc: the $43 billion company behind Tasers and police body cameras is dangling a warning in front of the State of Arizona which is approve our vision for a world-class headquarters, or we might pack up and leave.
The stakes? A $1.3 billion mixed-use campus, 5,500 high-paying jobs, and a future that positions Scottsdale as a true technology hub of innovation. But a local opposition group, Taxpayers Against Awful Apartment Zoning Exemptions, has thrown a wrench in the works, gathering 26,000 signatures to stall the project and force a public vote in 2026. Axon’s CEO, Rick Smith, isn’t waiting around. He’s backing Senate Bill 1543, a legislative Hail Mary that could override the referendum. Without it, he says, Axon could move to Texas or Florida.
A Moment of Truth for Arizona
This fight isn’t just about one company’s future. It’s about Arizona’s ambition. Are we a place where billion-dollar enterprises can dream big and build bigger? Or are we sending a message that when push comes to shove, we’d rather let them go?
Matt Sherman, a Phoenix-born entrepreneur and Arizona State University alum, is rallying to keep Axon home. He sees this moment as a defining test. “If Axon leaves, it’s not just a punch in the gut for our economy. It tells every startup founder that Arizona might not support their dreams.”
Sherman isn’t just talking. He’s organizing a rally on Saturday, April 26th at Cactus Park in North Scottsdale, pulling in heavy-hitters like Jack Selby of PayPal fame and Don Fotsch, ex-Apple veteran. Their message? Arizona has to fight for its future.
The High Stakes: Jobs, Growth, and a California Connection
Axon’s vision is a massive 73-acre “live-work-play” campus at Hayden Road and Loop 101, designed to anchor its U.S. operations. The company, which has seen 33% annual growth and pulled in $2.1 billion in revenue last year, needs the space to scale.
But TAAAZE, led by former city councilman Bob Littlefield, isn’t opposing the headquarters, it’s the 1,875 apartments they don’t want. Their argument? Too many units, too much traffic, and too much strain on Scottsdale’s resources. With the referendum certified in January 2025, Axon had to cancel its groundbreaking, and Smith fired back with an ultimatum.
Enter SB 1543, a bill that would reclassify rezoning as an administrative act, blocking voter challenges retroactively. Opponents call it corporate overreach. Supporters see it as a lifeline to keep Arizona competitive.
Then there’s the wildcard: Smith claims a California union, Unite Here Local 11, is bankrolling TAAAZE to pressure Axon into unionizing its future hotel and restaurant staff. If true, it wouldn’t be the first time the same group played a role in killing the Arizona Coyotes’ Tempe arena project. TAAAZE denies it, and Unite Here has stayed silent. But for Sherman, it’s one more reason to step up. “These groups aren’t even based here,” he says. “Rick’s the only board member fighting to stay—everyone else is ready to bolt.”
A Test for Arizona’s Startup Scene
Sherman has seen this before. After raising venture capital, he watched fellow ASU grads flee to Silicon Valley, lured by bigger ecosystems. Now, he’s wondering if Arizona is still willing to fight for its homegrown talent. “We’ve built phenomenal companies here: GoDaddy, Carvana, Axon. But if they leave, what message does that send?”
Losing Anduril to Ohio was a blow. Winning TSMC was a win. Axon’s decision could be another milestone or a major setback.
Rallying for Arizona’s Ambition
That’s why Sherman’s pushing for action. His April 26th rally at Cactus Park isn’t just a gathering. It’s a call to arms. “We’re making noise, writing legislators, signing petitions,” he says. “This isn’t just about one company. It’s about showing Arizona and the world that we care.”
The RSVP link is here: https://lu.ma/18823kr4
What’s Next?
Is Unite Here the hidden hand behind TAAAZE, or are they just taking advantage of a local fight? Is SB 1543 a necessary fix, or a way to sidestep voters? With Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky and Rep. Joseph Chaplik pushing back and Axon weighing its options, the answers remain murky.
But the stakes are clear. This isn’t just about a single development. It’s about whether Arizona remains a state where big ideas take root. “We’re in our second decade of building the next Silicon Valley,” Sherman says. “It took decades in California—HP, Apple, Fairchild. We can’t let this chain break.”
For now, all eyes are on April 26th—and whether Arizona chooses ambition or hesitation.
