Momentum: TREO's Newsletter

President's Message      
As you know, Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities (TREO) has initiated the development of an Economic Blueprint, an economic development vision and strategy for Tucson's future. What you may not know is that TREO's Economic Blueprint is hinged on reaching out to the community. By the end of the project, TREO will have involved nearly 6,000 people/organizations, representing the broadest possible range of community interests -- public, private, and non-profit. 

From the start, TREO recognized that the successful implementation of the Blueprint hinged on cohesion and commitment from important stakeholders. In order to achieve this, TREO leadership designed an inclusive process for the community - one where individuals who want to have a voice in the development of the Economic Blueprint have an opportunity to do so.

We are tracking our outreach and inclusion efforts to be sure that we are reaching as many segments of the community as possible. In addition to the Blueprint Steering Committee, interviews, focus groups, one-on-one meetings, SWOT Analysis survey, and presentations to local groups and organizations, TREO has also published a Community Survey (in both English and Spanish) to encourage an even broader range of local citizens to voice their opinions. The survey was promoted in the Arizona Daily Star, Tucson Citizen, and translated into Spanish for the Star's La Estrella tabloid.

At the end of the Blueprint process, an inclusive list of stakeholders will have been included. Please click on the download below for a chart of community participants in the Economic Blueprint research process.

Economic Blueprint Community Inclusion Chart

We believe we have the right formula and the right partners to provide an Economic Blueprint or strategic plan for generating wealth in the community and a successful, sustainable future for its citizens. Along with community input, the Blueprint will contain strategies based on sound data and analysis of our strengths and business assets. We look forward to sharing the results with you in early 2007.

Thank you for your continuing input, support and cooperation in this very important project. Please contact us should you have an additional questions and stay tuned to TREO's Web site at www.treoaz.org for updates on the Economic Blueprint.

Happy Holidays!


Economic Blueprint Makes Great Strides
When Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities, Inc. (TREO) and KMK Consulting Company launched a process in August 2006 for creating an Economic Blueprint – a vision and strategy for Tucson’s future – they knew the road to completion would be a complex, challenging task.

Envisioning a plan for a community’s economic future requires leadership, collaboration and dedication, and TREO’s Economic Blueprint process is no different. “What can our business community expect from this? The identification of our best opportunities for the future – those industries that will drive our economy for decades to come - so we can define our vision for the future and establish our priorities,” says Larry Hecker, of Hecker and Muehlebach, and Chairman of the 44-member Economic Blueprint Steering Committee.

While it is too early to predict the findings of the plan, the process itself has stirred great interest throughout the region. Many community leaders agree that it is critical to chart a course for our future and increase our regional competitiveness. “In today’s business environment, competition can come from anywhere in the world, not just from familiar places like Phoenix, San Diego or San Antonio,” says Joe Snell, President & CEO of TREO. “To succeed, the Tucson region must be able to successfully compete in the global arena.”

From September through early 2007 when the Blueprint is projected for completion, the project will have gone through three phases: 1) community input, research and analysis; 2) strategy development; and 3) implementation recommendation, an action plan that includes partner identification, leadership structuring, and the identification of financial requirements and resources.

Community Input, Research and Analysis
At the heart of the Economic Blueprint process is data-based decision making, where Tucson’s current economic status has been collected and scrutinized by world-class economists and community-building visionaries. Layered on top of that has been a phenomenal effort to engage and gather input from the community.

“We made this plan much harder than it had to be because we knew we had to get the community involved from the beginning,” says Hecker. “But the momentum generated from the extensive inclusion efforts is serving us well.”

See the President's Message for more information about community inclusion.

Strategy Development
At this point the process has turned the corner from input and analysis to strategy development. “Our consultants have done an excellent job of analyzing the Tucson region so we know exactly where we stand in every respect,” says Nancy Smith, Vice President of Strategic Services at TREO. “We’re beginning to develop a clear understanding of the region’s current situation – our strengths, weaknesses, unique assets, and best opportunities. Tucson’s performance and capabilities in key areas is currently being measured to assess our ability to compete globally.”

Implementation Recommendation
TREO began this project with the end in mind, selecting a consulting firm and a process that would deliver an achievable, implementable action plan for the region’s business community. Implementation will be the key factor to success of the Blueprint. With the first phase of the project complete, the road to implementation is now in sight and the process of defining partners, creating performance metrics and determining roles has begun. 

Successful implementation of the Economic Blueprint will require a coordinated, collaborative effort that includes a community-wide effort with public and private leaders, community partners, and the citizens of the Tucson region. While TREO is prepared to take the lead, success will require a team effort.

The Final Plan
“It’s important that people realize economic development is about generating wealth for the region through high paying jobs and capital investment. The Blueprint will provide a vision and strategy for accomplishing this goal,” says Snell.

“In the end we’re going to be a community with a shared economic vision and goals,” says Smith. “We will all know and agree where we’re headed, what it’s going to take to get there, and what everyone’s respective roles will be. We also understand our accountability to the community, and will continually be measuring ourselves against our goals and reporting our progress to the community.”

TREO is planning a community-wide launch of the study results at a public event in early 2007. Once completed, don’t look for TREO’s Economic Blueprint to sit on a bookshelf. The plan’s impact will be evident in the Tucson region’s increased competitiveness that makes it not only a great place to live, but a high-performing economic force.

For more information on the Economic Blueprint contact Nancy Smith at (520) 243-1914 or Nancy.Smith@treoaz.org.


Latest Relocations and Expansions 
Dec. 7, 2006 - Construction work at Macsteel Service Centers USA's 8-acre property at the Century Park Research Center has continued on schedule with a grand opening for the facility expected in February 2007. Macsteel will initially employ about 20 people at the facility and applications are currently being accepted for open positions. Macsteel announced their plans to expand to Tucson in May thanks to a team effort between TREO and the Arizona Department of Commerce. Read the full Press Release.

Nov. 8, 2006 - Global Solar Inc. (GSE) announces the addition of 50 jobs to its Tucson operations. GSE is the leading manufacturer of Copper Indium Gallium diSilenide (SIGS) thin-film solar products. Jobs will include manufacturing and professional/managerial positions. Read the full Press Release.


Private Sector Support
Critical to TREO's Success 
Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities, Inc. (TREO) currently has 58 active and committed investors representing our region’s diverse business community. Investors range from companies with 10 to more than 10,000 employees.

TREO investors represent a broad range of Tucson's business community with support from industries such as small janitorial, temporary employment, architectural firms, construction firms, large defense contractors, financial institutions, insurance companies, real estate companies, public utilities and governments.

Financial support from our investors has exceeded expectations. TREO’s Fiscal Year (FY) 06/07 budget forecasts $500,000 revenue from the private sector. This is nearly a 600% increase from the FY 05/06 budget. As of October 2006 (just 4 months into the new fiscal year), actual revenue shows TREO at 39% of the annual goal (click here to see a chart illustrating private investment).

“Investment in regional economic development is not a luxury, it is a necessity,” said Dick Imwalle, Chairman for Bank of Tucson. “Solid leadership will drive this dynamic region into the competitive global marketplace, and private sector investment in TREO is essential to long-term economic prosperity for the region.”

In the first quarter of FY 06/07, 20% of TREO’s revenue came from private sector investors. Our ultimate goal is for the majority of our investments to come from the private sector.

TREO takes private sector support seriously. Funding is used to support the attraction of high-impact jobs and companies to the region, and programs to retain and expand the region’s best and brightest. To see a full list of TREO Investors, click here. To invest in TREO or for more information, contact BJ Smith, Vice President of Investor Relations, at 243-1916 or email bj.smith@treroaz.org.


TREO Business Hotline Launches 
TREO's Business Hotline is available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling (520) 243-1905. The hotline is staffed by a TREO representative who can make referrals to TREO staff members or other community resources who can help resolve business issues or provide assistance. Read the full Press Release.


                  
                  120 North Stone Ave., Suite 200
                          Tucson, Arizona 85701
      520.243.1900 * 1.866.600.0331 * Fax 520.243.1910
                       www.treoaz.org