The city of Glendale’s economic development efforts have initiated exciting new projects for its citizens to look forward to.  Specifically, St. Joseph’s Westgate Medical Center is under construction in near the Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue. The $44 million Dignity Health facility is scheduled to open in early 2014 with phase one including a 60,000 square-foot hospital on 35 acres with an emergency room, 24 inpatient beds, two operating rooms and diagnostic services.

The city also welcomes ZyTech Building Systems, a Canadian company that chose Glendale for its first US headquarters after working with GPEC and the Arizona Commerce Authority.  ZyTech, located at 8205 N. 67th Avenue, is a provider of roof trusses, floor systems, wall systems and lumber packages to home-builders and contractors for track housing, custom homes, multi-family, commercial and large span projects.

In addition, North Glendale is home to the new Arrowhead Cadillac which is currently under construction at 83rd Avenue and Bell Road.   The 55,000- square-foot luxury car dealership is a $16 million investment by the Van Tuyl Group, Inc., which provides management consulting services to the largest group of privately held dealerships in the United States.

The city’s economic development continues to better the community and the environment for its residents and local businesses.

Tempe is the first city in the state to launch a centralized customer relations center to address questions/issues from community members, called Tempe 3-1-1. It is one of several ongoing efforts to improve technology in order to serve the Tempe community better.

Tempe 311 provides fast and easy ways for community members to connect with their city, making life easier and providing greater value and service. Community members can connect with Tempe 311 via phone (480-350-4311), Web, email and mobile app. The city receives an average of about 1,600 calls a week. What’s great about the program is that it’s the only resource residents need to remember – no need for phone directories and no getting bounced around to find the right place.

In addition, Tempe 311 makes city operations more efficient by helping the city to provide more responsive, efficient, cost-effective service by streamlining the process from the initial call to the resolution in the field.

By Sean Ahern, Economic Development Manager

This month’s focus for the city of Flagstaff’s Economic Vitality Division is economic development. The economic development program is housed in Community Investment and staff is located at City Hall. Community Investment along with the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport and Convention and Visitors Bureau make up the “business outreach side” of city hall, and are all economic drivers for our community. Economic development staff’s primary focus is to retain and strengthen existing businesses, while helping to grow and attract new, innovative businesses for our community’s economic health and sustainability.

On a national level, the competition for jobs has never been more competitive. Many traditional regional employment opportunities have declined in the past decade due to outsourcing, technology and changing consumer habits. Historically, California has been the place for innovation and business growth California’s innovative businesses well trained and educated workforce, progressive college system, and access to global transportation hubs have created tremendous wealth, jobs and successful businesses throughout the Golden State. Fast forward to today when the business climate in California has become increasingly unfriendly with increased taxes, aging infrastructure and stiff regulation making many business owners consider relocating to a more business friendly state. As taxes, regulation and costs have increased in California, so has the competition from surrounding western states to attract California businesses to their respective states.

Texas, Utah, Nevada and Arizona compete daily on attracting California businesses to their state. Additionally, a number of multi-national and east coast companies wish to locate their expansion operations in affordable states neighboring California because of the high costs associated with California. Businesses with these needs play a very important role in Arizona’s attraction efforts because of our proximity to California, talented workforce, available land, access to markets and overall business friendly environment.

In Flagstaff, city economic development staff work closely with the Arizona Commerce Authority and our regional partner the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA), to market and attract businesses to the greater Flagstaff area. Flagstaff has always had an identity problem in clearly articulating perception versus reality with business owners and investors outside of Northern Arizona.  Flagstaff is often thought of as a sleepy, mountain town with little in the way of commerce and innovation. The city and its partners are working hard to change that image while supporting responsible growth; through a new imaging campaign, using market analysis tools to statistically show the power of our market, offering site tours to business owners interested in learning more about Flagstaff’s business climate and increasing connectivity with key stakeholders across the region.

Recently, the city worked with ECoNA’s business attraction team to attract and eventually locate IML to Flagstaff. IML is a multi-national plastic manufacturer who was interested in expanding to the west coast. The city of Flagstaff competed against 10 cities for IML’s business; ultimately the city of Flagstaff prevailed as IML’s choice because of our proximity to California, workforce, quality of life and professional response to IML’s needs during the selection process. Currently the city is working on a number of potential locates that would provide high wage low impact jobs to the community, many of these coming from California.

Flagstaff is the economic engine of northern Arizona, and attracting new businesses is only part of the economic cycle. Retaining, expanding and supporting the needs of existing businesses are extremely important in protecting our local economy and financial security. Our neighboring states are not only looking to California for new businesses, they are also looking at Arizona companies. Recently Flagstaff lost Southwest Windpower, and their high paying engineering and manufacturing jobs to Colorado. Protecting and growing established industries and providing assistance to newly established companies is where the economic development staff spends a great deal of time.

Staff provides assistance to local businesses through a number of channels. Recently a “business assistance kiosk” was developed at City Hall that provides: one-on-one needs analysis, planning and design review, incentive and grant overview, market and demographic analysis, workforce and business advocacy.

A great example of the advocacy and assistance that is provided to the community is the recent receipt of a $100,000 rural grant award from the Arizona Commerce Authority for the continued expansion of Joy Cone, a low impact high wage employer. Joy Cone came to the city with a need to expand their operations by decommissioning their aging incinerator and building an additional batter room that would require five new employees. Joy Cone is leveraging the $100,000 rural grant from the Arizona Commerce Authority with $900,000 of their own capital for a $1 million dollar expansion project. This is the third year in a row that the city of Flagstaff has successfully partnered, assisted and managed the rural grant program with T-Gen North, Machine Solutions and Joy Cone.

As business advocates the city’s economic development team help a number of businesses with everything from custom one-on-one needs analysis assistance to helping established businesses navigate city hall. Visit us online at cityofinnovation.com to learn more about our services for the entire business community.

By Curt Woody, Economic Development Manager

The town of Marana adopted its strategic plan in 2008 and updated it in March 2012 to provide Town Council and staff with a guiding document and flexible tool to lead and promote innovative thinking. The strategic plan provides initiatives and action strategies that challenge us to find specific ways to attract and maintain career-oriented commerce. The town implemented two policies in 2012 that reflected those initiatives. The first was a joint venture between the Marana Chamber of Commerce and town management to collaborate on a business retention program that involved onsite contacts with more than 600 businesses. These businesses were surveyed to identify the positive and negative aspects of conducting business within the town. The sign code ordinance was identified as an area that needed improvement. As a result, there are portions of the code that are being revised.

The Marana Job Creation Incentive Program was the second policy adopted to address the economic development initiatives. Originally approved in 2010, the program was revised and reintroduced last November. Reducing the requirements from a $2 million investment and 25 new jobs to a $1 million investment and 10 new jobs (salary of $40,000 a year or more) broadened the scope of the program. The company may apply for rebate of the construction sales tax generated by this investment to be spent on any number of six elements identified within the program.

The town of Marana strives to create and identify best practices that complement the guiding principles within our strategic plan. This culture of excellence is prevalent in all departments and aspects of the town’s goals.

By City of Chandler Staff

The city of Chandler is developing a niche in the tech industry, and is laser-focused on the jobs those businesses bring to the community. During his State of the City address, Mayor Jay Tibshraeny announced that the city’s 2012 economic development efforts attracted, created or retained 3,600 jobs; the second highest number in the city’s history.

The city acts as a strategic partner with businesses, setting the stage for Chandler to lure such industry giants as the General Motors Innovation Center, Intel, ebay/PayPal and Infusionsoft. Chandler is earning increased recognition for the Price Corridor, a premier employment corridor with the infrastructure, workforce, open space and amenities that creative, high-tech companies require. Also, housing stock ranging from urban apartments to traditional neighborhoods and agrarian settings give companies a broad range of choices for their employees.

Chandler was recently named 4th in the country in startups per capita and has a broad strategy to nurture small business success. The city developed the Innovations Science & Technology incubator, and has partnered with Gangplank, a collaborative workspace in Downtown Chandler. In addition, TechShop is scheduled to open this fall in partnership with ASU’s Chandler Innovation Center, an engineering and technology-based education and research hub. TechShop is part of the entrepreneurial movement to allow individuals and early stage companies access to specialized equipment to further their product and design prototypes. The partnership will give students from ASU’s College of Technology and Innovation the ability to see their education in action, and bring up to 1,000 people to the city’s already vibrant Downtown.

By Doreen Cott, Economic Development Director

Over the last several months, Queen Creek residents have probably noticed increased construction and traffic in the community. With the installment of both medical and higher education facilities and future plans for additional restaurants and entertainment venues, the town is expected to see continued growth over the next few years.

Banner Health Center Queen Creek’s 21,000-square-foot building opened May 1, offering a mix of primary care services for everyone in the family. The future Communiversity @ Queen Creek, officially broke ground in January and will soon be home to students from universities and community colleges around the state earning certificates and/or associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Already this year, the town has seen a spike in the number of building permits for single-family homes, an indication that the demand for additional dining and service businesses will also increase. Queen Creek’s Town Center encompasses 900 acres of commercial, entertainment and housing options, and staff is proactively working to attract uses for 20 acres of town-owned property in Town Center as well as other available sites. A hotel is also a priority for economic development to accommodate the thousands of people who visit Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre and the other destinations in the community each year. It was also recently announced that both Maya Cinemas and Harkins Theaters have plans to develop movie theaters, and Smashburger will soon be joining the restaurant mix at Queen Creek Marketplace along with In-N-Out Burger coming in 2014.

In January, Queen Creek’s business incubator, QC Inc., opened the doors to its permanent location in the Queen Creek Municipal Complex. This facility offers affordable space, business counseling, networking opportunities and extensive training to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs as they expand and grow in the community.

Queen Creek’s future is bright, and with the town’s Economic Development Strategic Plan firmly in place, the community has established its priorities and is actively working to make them a reality.

By Surprise Staff

In the latest effort to engage young people in community affairs, Surprise youth are being asked to comment online about issues from city programs for youth to their transportation woes.

In the Web survey on the site of District 3 City Councilmember John Williams, young people are asked a series of five open ended questions from how their ability to get involved is affected by personal transportation issues to what the city should do to increase services for young people.

“The Council has been very active in youth engagement,” said City Manager Chris Hillman. “Recently, we have seen a renegotiated service agreement with the Dysart Unified School District, a stepped up presence for youth at the Arizona League of Cities and Towns Conference, and the formation of not only a Surprise Youth Leadership Commission but a West Valley Youth Council, among other initiatives.”

Councilman Williams is deeply focused on youth issues, organizing youth commissions and leading programs such as the recent Surprise Youth Leadership Conference, Hillman said. “John is even inviting Leadership Commission members to join him at the Council table during meetings,” he added.

Williams says the survey, which can be found on his section of the Council website at www.surpriseaz.gov, will provide information, which can help him work with staff and his fellow councilmembers to craft more inclusive policies and programs for young people.

By Erik Strunk
Glendale Parks, Recreation and Library Services, Executive Director

A healthy society is measured on how well it provides for its next generation of leaders and residents. It should, therefore, come as no surprise that neighborhood after-school and youth programs are critical to ensuring this success in each of our respective communities.

After school programs provide a safe place for children to go following the end of the school day.  Many times these programs provide much needed mentorship, study help and social opportunities not available at home or during school.  Parents may also sign up their children to participate in these programs to have peace of mind, knowing their children are having fun and meeting friends in a safe environment.

Youth programs offered through recreation programs and libraries provide a variety of opportunities for children to learn many skills and help with childhood development.  Libraries offer many different early literacy programs for all ages.  Story times and other special programs specifically developed to introduce stories and nurture a love of books are provided to engage children and their parents and start a habit of reading during their early years.  Recreational programs such as art, sports, music and dance provide opportunities to develop small and large motor skills, provide fitness opportunities, teach sportsmanship, foster social skills and build creative minds all through the form of fun.  Some youth programs are even offered for fun with safety in mind.  Learning to swim and water safety is one of the most important skills a child can learn. 

Check your local library and parks and recreation department to see all the opportunities and benefits your city or town provides to you.  These programs are provided to give you and your children a lifetime of learning and pleasure.

By Maricopa Youth Coordinator Rocky Brown

The city of Maricopa expanded its youth programming activities this year by adding a new program called Maricopa in Motion. Maricopa in Motion is a mobile recreation center on wheels that visits each of the local elementary schools. Our trained staff, which includes local high school students that serve as mentors, provide fun games, sports, arts & crafts and also educate kids about the dangers of drugs & alcohol. This opportunity is made possible by a unique partnership between the city, the Pinal County Attorney’s Office and the M.A.S.H. Coalition (a drug-free communities grantee). Each partnership entity provides different support to establish the program.

The Maricopa in Motion program has also developed a Functional Fitness component to help enhance physical activity for the participants. This includes the creation of simple exercises that are fun and can be completed on the school playground. To date, we’ve had 214 children complete the six-week training program. Overall, Maricopa in Motion has hosted 2,187 participants in more than 45 different school visits for an average of over 48 kids per day.

The city of Maricopa plans to continue offering the Maricopa in Motion program next year. This program will join other safe, fun recreational youth activities sponsored by the city including our Summer Fun & Fitness Camps, Open Gym Basketball, Super Teens and the Maricopa Youth Council.

By Wickenburg Police Chief Pete Wingert

Animal control is one of those government services we don’t often talk about, but that every city must choose how to provide for its residents, including those of the four-legged variety.

After losing its animal control officer position in the recent recession, Wickenburg struggled to find a new model. Partnering with a local nonprofit proved successful until demand exceeded available kennel space. And without an animal control officer, uniformed police officers had to be taken off the street to handle animal control duties.

After a thorough review process, the Town Council in January chose Maricopa County Animal Care & Control as its new partner agency. Working together, the County and the Town developed an innovative system that relies on social media to give lost or stray dogs the best opportunity for a second chance.

Maricopa County animal control officers dispatched by the Wickenburg Police Department carry mobile phone cameras that are used to take pictures of corralled dogs. Within hours, the picture is received by WPD, posted on its Facebook page with the case number, and broadcast throughout the community.

Although only three months old, the program’s results to date have been outstanding: nearly all animals have either been returned to their owners or adopted by a loving family.

Visit WPD’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wickenburgpd