Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities
Submitted by:
Joe Snell, President
Francie Merryman, Secretary
In order for our community to grow and prosper, we must be able to attract and retain companies, as well as the jobs and economic stability they bring with them.
But we must have an exceptional place to live and work. Our superior weather and wonderful people aren’t enough. We also need safe, convenient regional transportation.
We’re in the business of selling the metropolitan Tucson market to the people who decide where to locate companies. According to Area Development Magazine, transportation ranked as the number one factor in 2005 when companies consider a site for a relocation or expansion.
We urge you to pass Question 1, the regional transportation plan, and Question 2, the sales tax that will pay for these essential improvements to our community. This transportation plan is critical to make certain that Tucson is not left behind when competing for new companies and jobs.
As the area’s new regional economic development agency, our name exemplifies the transportation plan’s importance: Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities, Inc.
Regional means that the creation and expansion of higher paying jobs for our citizens is most successful when we are focused on the customers at hand – the employees and the companies providing jobs for them. Employers must be able to transport goods and services easily and quickly, and know that the employees providing those goods and services will be at work on time, with few traffic delays. They also need to be able to recruit employees from anywhere in the region.
When considering a new job or evaluating satisfaction with a current one, most workers also rank commute as a high priority as well. Employees want to know that they can get to work in a reasonable time and with low frustration. Employees want to be able to live in one area or the community and have the choice to work in another. These needs and expectations make transportation truly a regional issue.
Economic opportunities will be attracted to Tucson if we are successful in pulling together as a community, both for the businesses who rely on good transportation networks and the employees who use them.
We can’t afford to wait any longer. Join us today and make an investment in the future – for all of us.
