Today, Axon is announcing the cancellation of its planned January 10 groundbreaking for its new world headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona. The decision comes amid delays caused by a ballot referendum effort led by a California-based labor union, which has created significant uncertainty about the project’s future. The union has reportedly gathered the required number of signatures to place the decision before voters, further complicating the timeline for the development. While Axon has been headquartered in Scottsdale since its founding in 1993 and remains deeply committed to the community, the recent emergence of local political opposition has prompted the company to resume actively considering alternative locations nationwide for a new headquarters campus.

Axon’s new headquarters campus plan was approved by the Scottsdale City Council in November and was designed to support Axon’s continued growth and ability to attract and retain top-tier talent. Over the past four years, Axon collaborated extensively with local leaders and residents, revising the headquarters campus plan to address concerns including reducing density, preserving open space, and ensuring compatibility with the community’s character. The approved project, entirely privately funded without public subsidies, is designed to support up to 5,500 high-wage jobs, generate $11.5 million annually in city tax revenues and contribute $3.6 billion annually to Arizona’s economy, according to an impact study authored by Rounds Consulting Group.

"Scottsdale has been our home for over 30 years, and we’ve worked hard to build a strong future here," said Axon Founder and CEO Rick Smith. "But the uncertainty caused by this referendum forces us to confront a tough reality: we can’t allow political games to put our mission or our team at risk. Our focus remains on saving lives, improving public safety and attracting the brightest minds to join us. If that means relocating to a community that fully supports those goals, we’re prepared to make that move. This type of political interference risks not only this project but also Arizona’s ability to attract and retain major employers in the future."

The referendum effort has been linked to Unite Here, a California-based labor union, and its local political arm, Worker Power Institute, which has previously targeted major Arizona projects, including the Arizona Coyotes’ arena development. That campaign ultimately led to Arizona losing a major sports franchise. Axon’s leadership has raised concerns that such political interference risks undermining Arizona’s ability to attract and retain major employers.