Uber to open global operational facility in Phoenix

PHOENIX — Uber plans to open its new global operation center in Phoenix, Mayor Greg Stanton announced Wednesday.

Stanton said the new center would bring “hundreds of new jobs to our community” in his annual State of the City address.

The Phoenix Business Journal reported in February that San-Francisco Uber had taken a lease in a downtown Phoenix building. It is unknown what the company intends to do with the space.

After a tumultuous beginning in Arizona marred by legal spats, the state’s Legislature came up with a regulatory scheme for ride-hailing firms and set minimum insurance rules. It also made vehicle inspections and driver background checks mandatory along with setting a zero-tolerance policy for drug and alcohol use by drivers.

The legislation was backed by Gov. Doug Ducey, who said ride-share companies are an important part of the economy.

“We believe that companies like Uber and Lyft are innovative, entrepreneurial technologies,” he said. “And I want to see those types of companies thrive. And they also create jobs.”

Ducey also stopped state regulators from citing ride-share drivers.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.