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Among the top 12 "Fast Cities" worldwide by Fast Company magazine.
(May 2009) Tucson named a “rising biotechnology star of Arizona”
Business
Facilities magazine. (March 2008) Fast Company magazine named Tucson among the top 10 in the United States for job growth and high-tech industry concentration. Noted
“Fast Companies” are Raytheon Missile Systems, UniSource Energy,
and Universal Avionics.
(July 2007) Tucson ranked #27 for job growth and #49 for business and careers in Forbes’ list of best places among the nation’s 200 largest cities. (March 2008) Fortune Small Business magazine named Oro Valley #44 on its list of
the “100 Best Places to Live and Launch.” (March 2008) Tucson was named one of the top 5 best places to live in the Men’s Journal based on career opportunities, access to nature and the quality of urban life. Tucson was recognized for its bike paths, Mexican food and natural amenities. (June 2008) Newsweek magazine ranked BASIS Charter School as the top public
school in the United States (May 2008). U.S. News & World Report
included University High School as well as BASIS in its list of America’s
top public high schools. (November 2007) |
| Why Tucson for Data Centers?
Due to our sunny climate and strategic Southwestern location, Tucson is well known as a location of choice for solar companies as well as transportation and logistics companies. The climate and location also make for an ideal location for data centers. Because of the extreme sensitivity and magnitude of these high tech IT facilities, the benefits of locating in Tucson are vast. Affordability of land, proximity to military operations, and a lack of natural disasters also distinguish the Tucson region as a location of choice for any company looking to relocate or expand its operations. When asked why data centers should locate in Tucson, Lynn Adkins of Howard S. Wright Constructors responded with, "Why wouldn't they?" Adkins has worked on 14 data center projects in Arizona, including three in Tucson. "Dollar for dollar, you can't get the utility, service or reliability anywhere else that you can get in Tucson," said Adkins. Perhaps one of the biggest strengths of the Tucson region for data centers is the quality, reliable power service from Tucson Electric Power (TEP). “TEP is committed to maintaining the high level of reliable service our customers have come to expect,” said Art Fregoso, Key Account Manager for TEP. “We’re also ready to work with new business customers to ensure that everything is in place to meet their energy needs.” "TEP is outstanding to work with, from pre-construction and throughout construction," said Adkins. "They are a crucial part of the team and their responsibility and reliability is huge." Looking for a home for your data center? Let us help you find it. For more information on locating or expanding in the Tucson region, please contact: Lee Smith
Sr. Vice President, Business Development
520.243.1909 or lee.smith@treoaz.org |
2009 "Fast City"
Tucson Ranks as One of the Top 12 Fast Cities Worldwide
The May 2009 issue of Fast Company magazine named Tucson as a top 12 Fast City worldwide for its Healthy City Initiative and crime reduction efforts. The Healthy City Initiative is based on former surgeon general Richard Carmona's five pillars of a healthy community: the physical, the emotional, safety, violence prevention, and substance-abuse prevention. Evidence of success of the initiative? Crime is down 20% since 2006. Other 2009 Fast Cities include: Cleveland, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Taipei, New Orleans, Malmö, Chicago, Houston, Denver, Vancouver, and New York. Read more about the 2009 Fast Cities at www.fastcompany.com/cities/2009. |
AZ: RIGHT TO WORK STATE
Employment Can't Be Withheld Due to Membership or Non-Membership in a Union
In April, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer issued an executive order reaffirming Arizona as a Right to Work State. This reaffirmation benefits both employees and employers in the State of Arizona. As a Right to Work state, no employee can be compelled to join a union, nor can employment be withheld because of membership or non-membership in a union. Employers enjoy the faster economic and employment growth that comes with locating in a Right to Work state. Only 9% of Arizona's workers are represented by unions, which is small compared to other states. Additionally, less than 4% of the state's manufacturing employees are represented by unions. Company benefits for locating in a Right to Work state: - Open to manage a business without outside interference.
- No assets devoted to labor negotiations or matters such as mandatory disciplinary procedures.
- Increased flexibility to establish wages and compensation levels. The businesses are not bound by the compensation levels set out in a collective bargaining agreement.
- Increased flexibility to have influence over workforce. The company is not bound by disciplinary rules and procedures set out in a collective bargaining agreement.
- Increased opportunity to compete for quality employees.
- Increased opportunity to compete for business.
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FUNDING FOR BIOTECH START-UP:
Venture Capital Funding for Tucson-based Salutaris Medical Devices
Start-up medical devices firm Salutaris Medical Devices Inc. (SalutarisMD) has received $1,500,000 in Series A financing by Arizona venture capital firm Translational Accelerator LLC (TRAC). TRAC, a private, Arizona-based $20 million bioscience venture capital group, is Arizona’s first venture fund established to target early-stage bioscience companies. TRAC investments only support firms located in Arizona or those planning to move to the state. "This financing is a win for Tucson and Arizona. SalutarisMD is excited about the opportunity to build a world-class medical device company here. The support we have received, both locally and statewide, has been tremendous," said Michael Voevodsky, CEO of SalutarisMD. "We are pleased that we can do our development work right here in Arizona with our community partners.” Also co-investing in SalutarisMD is Tucson Desert Angels, bringing the total start up investment to over $2,000,000. "The SalutarisMD management team chose Tucson for a variety of reasons, including the strength of University of Arizona research, potential collaborations and a pioneering, innovative attitude in the biosciences community,” said Harry George, Managing Partner of Solstice Capital, Desert Angels member and SalutarisMD investor. SalutarisMD’s other community partners assisting in startup efforts include the University of Arizona (UA) Department of Radiation Oncology, UA Office of Technology Transfer and TREO. |
TUCSON INDUSTRY NEWS:
Major Industries in Southern Arizona Grab Media Headlines
U.S. Navy Awards Raytheon $259.9 Million Contract
Raytheon has been awarded a $259.9 million U.S. Navy contract to overhaul and upgrade 57 Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems and to provide ancillary equipment, spares, as well as additional technical support. Sixteen percent of the work will be performed in Tucson. The rest will be divided between other Raytheon Co. sites in eight states. Click here to read more in a May 16 Arizona Daily Star article. University of Arizona Receives $15 Million for Solar Research
The Department of Energy has awarded the University of Arizona $15 million to create an Energy Frontier Research Center for Hybrid Solar Electric Materials. The goal is to produce techniques that will create the next generation of thin-film solar panels that will be durable, inexpensive and efficient. Click here to read more in a May 6 Arizona Daily Star article. New Partnership to Expand Solar Power Testing Lab
A venture between Tucson Electric Power, the University of Arizona and Arizona State University will expand a solar power testing lab that uses current technology to explore efficiency and reliability in the Arizona sun. The project has received $500,000 from Science Foundation Arizona. Click here to read more in an April 27 Inside Tucson Business article. Bio industry worth $12.5B to Arizona
Arizona's Flinn Foundation released a new report in April revealing that Arizona's bioscience industry contributed $12.5 billion and more than 87,000 jobs to the state's economy. The industry has grown 58% since the last report compiled in 2002. Click here to read more in an April 13 Inside Tucson Business article. Future bio workforce networks with industry reps
In April more than 150 University of Arizona (UA) students met with bioscience industry leaders at a networking event hosted by UA's BIO5 Institute, a nationally recognized collaborative bioresearch institute. Click here to read more in an April 15 Arizona Daily Star article. Arizona Canning Co./La Costeña Expands Operations
Arizona Canning Co./La Costeña is expanding its current Tucson operations by constructing an additional 95,000 sq. feet of new warehouse space. The facility expansion is required to accommodate increased production storage that will result from the addition of a scheduled second production/processing line in the plant. The expansion will result in additional employment opportunities. Click here to read about Arizona Canning's decision to locate in Tucson. |
If you have feedback on the newsletter or would like to provide an idea for a future article, please contact erin.coulter@treoaz.org or (520) 243-1935. |
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