Southern Arizona Community Overview

Welcome to the Old Pueblo. Tucson has a kaleidoscope of cultures, each blending with the other over time to make our dynamic city a real desert gem.

Tucson, located in the middle of the Sonoran desert, retains the look and feel, of an old west town. All one has to do is look up and see the mighty Catalina Mountains, or West to the setting sun over the Ajo highway, or South to the desert and mountains of Old Mexico to feel an appreciation for this wild country and its people.

Because of its casual, welcoming atmosphere, Tucson was included in the book 50 Fabulous Places to Raise your Family. Tucson's assets place its climate at the top of the list, as it is well known for its 300+ days of sunshine per year.

Tucson, offering so much contrast, is located in the Sonoran Desert and surrounded by mountain ranges. At an elevation of 2,584 feet, Tucson is cradled by the Santa Catalina Mountains to the north, the Rincon Mountains to the east, the Tucson Mountains to the west, and the Santa Rita Mountains to the south. The city limits of Tucson cover an area of 156.04 square miles, while the entire metropolitan area spreads over 495 square miles.

The Arizona territory was formed from land gained by the United States through the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo which ended the Mexican War, and the Gadsden Purchase in 1854. "The Grand Canyon State" entered the Union as the 48th state on February 14, 1912. The state bird is the cactus wren, the state flower the saguaro cactus blossom, the state tree the Palo Verde (meaning green stick), and the state motto is "Ditat Deus" (God enriches).

Business

Tucson has been attracting companies relocating throughout the country. This has helped create jobs and population growth. The overall result has been a strong, growing economy for several years - and the prospect of continued strength. According to a forecasting project at the University of Arizona College, Tucson is on track to begin the next millennium with a robust economy. High-tech specialties, tourism, telecommunications and defense industries continue to take the lead as the largest fields of work in Tucson.

Tucson's Economy

Tucson's economic strength lies in its people and resources. A young, highly skilled and well-educated labor force contributes to a productive and competitive business climate. It's central location in the Southwest provides easy access to the west coast, Mexico and other regional growth markets. A sophisticated transportation network provides excellent railway, highway and airway connections to major cities around the nation. Available energy and water sources further enhance the environment, where emerging industries can grow and prosper. Arizona's economic activity has remained vigorous even during national recessions. Money magazine is out with its annual list of best places to live in the United States. Arizona came in at No.13 in forecast job growth to 2002 (4.1%) and eighth in the increase in the average value of a home since 1997. Both Phoenix and Tucson ranked second in the cost of living index.

Software

Microsoft is the most recent addition to the 300+ local companies that are directly involved in software development, an unprecedented number for a city this size. Bioindustry

This group is closely linked with the academic community. With the colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy and Nursing as well as the Arizona Cancer Center on the University of Arizona campus, many opportunities exist for technology transfer from Academia to the commercial marketplace.

Enviromental Technology

Arizona's environmental technology cluster represents one of the state's fastest growing industries, far out-pacing the national growth rate for this sector. With the ratification of NAFTA and the world-wide concern for the environment, this industry should continue to grow.

Mining

Arizona is referred to as the "Copper State", because Copper is big business here. This industry provides a boost to the Tucson area economy of several million dollars per year. Arizona's four large copper producers (ASARCO Incorporated; BHP Copper Inc.; Cyprus Climax Metals Company; and Phelps Dodge Corporation), and several smaller firms, mined and processed 64% of the copper mined in the United States in 1999. The Arizona copper industry directly employed 9,800 Arizona residents in 1999 Arizona copper industry workers were paid average annual earnings of more than $49,000 each in 1999. (Average weekly wage of $844.08) That was among the highest rates of pay in the state, exceeding the average of $38,740 for manufacturing.

- The Arizona Mining Association

International Trade

By virtue of its strategic closeness to the Mexican border, Tucson is ideally situated for trade with Mexico. Passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has made Tucson a logical choice for doing business with both Mexico and Canada.

Tourism

Tourism is an important source of income, contributing nearly $2 billion to the Pima County economy, providing 77,000 direct and indirect jobs and drawing more than six million visitors to greater Tucson each year, according to the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau. Tucson has twenty-three Three Star to Five Star hotel/motel facilities according to Mobile Guide, five of which are outstanding destination resorts: Loews Ventana Canyon, Westin La Paloma, Sheraton El Conquistador, Tucson National Resort and the Westward Look Resort.

Employment

Tucson's job growth continues to keep pace with population growth, with an unemployment rate among the nation's lowest, at approximately 2.9%. We are also the second fastest growing state in the nation, with a projected population of 6.1 million by 2010. Arizona's manufacturing employment in the high tech sectors accounted for nearly 50% of total manufacturing employment. Arizona is a Right-to-Work state and has an excellent record of cooperation between labor and management.