Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Ride Co. recently broke ground on a new 14,000-square-foot facility for its new headquarters in the West Valley

Its new headquarters, at 7934 N. Glen Harbor Blvd. in Glendale, will feature a steel entry element designed after a balloon burner and include gazebo space that will be available for hosting events and special occasions such as weddings. It also includes a check-in and merchandise area for guests.

Rainbow Ryders is celebrating its 40-year anniversary this fall.

“Forty years is a milestone that few companies ever achieve,” said founder and CEO Scott Appelman, in a statement. “I’m happy and proud to say that Rainbow Ryders has enjoyed four decades of growth and serves as the leader in the hot air balloon industry.”

The company relocated its headquarters to Glendale after hot air balloon operations were pushed out of the north Phoenix area, where major projects like the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. are going up.

Last year, Rainbow Ryders and other balloon operators started a petition against the Arizona State Land Department for not renewing permits in north Phoenix, but they had already acquired a site in Glendale knowing operations were going to be relocated to the West Valley.

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By Staff - Phoenix Business Journal