July 14 PickPima: A Border Built on Opportunity: Pima County’s Ongoing Partnership with Mexico

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July 14, 2025 - Vol. 2, No. 14
Pima + Mexico

Rooted in Relationship:

How Pima County’s focus on Mexico

fuels regional growth

Pima County has been focused on economic growth along the border and with Mexico for a long time, but in the last eight years it has been growing its outreach efforts — which is paying dividends for the region. 

In this issue of PickPima, we are showcasing some of the most recent efforts the Pima County Economic Development team has been working on to highlight how the current economic development team is capitalizing on the long-standing work Pima County has been engaged in to grow relationships and business growth with our partners in Mexico. 

Pima County partnered with Cochise, Santa Cruz and Yuma counties in 2017 to form the Arizona Border Counties Coalition. It is led by one board of supervisor from each county and coordinated by the Pima County Economic Development Department. 

The mission of the group is to advocate and/or accelerate economic development opportunities in Southern Arizona, with a specific focus on issues that affect the quality of life and economy along the border. 

Its main goals are:

    • Improve ports of entry efficiency
      • Advocate for the creation of a funding mechanism for border infrastructure
      • Staffing – Advocate for adequate staffing at all Arizona ports of entry

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Pima County attends binational meeting

to meet with business leaders

Tijuana

At the invitation of The ILS Company, headquartered in Tucson, Pima County Economic Development Director Heath Vescovi-Chiordi traveled to Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, to participate in an Encuentro Binacional alongside regional partners from Southern Arizona. 

The ILS Company coordinated the delegation, which engaged with leaders from the Tijuana government’s Economic Development Department as well as heads of cluster organizations in Aerospace & Defense and Healthcare & Medical industries. 

During the event, additional private-sector representatives shared insights on Tijuana’s business climate, customs processes, logistics, and distribution. 

This event supports Pima County’s broader strategy to attract foreign direct investment and strengthen subnational diplomatic ties between Southern Arizona and Mexico. 

Cross-Border Connections:

Pima County and regional partners strengthen economic partnerships

AmCham

Pima County Economic Development had the privilege of co-hosting the AmCham Mexico "Extend Your Reach" event with the City of Tucson at the Historic Courthouse on July 10, bringing together business leaders, government officials, and academic partners from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. 

Building Bridges, Creating Opportunities

The event brought together an impressive lineup of speakers and participants, including Consul General Rafael Barceló from the Consulado de Mexico en Tucson, Michelle Ward from the U.S. Consulate in Nogales, Sonora, and AmCham Mexico Noroeste Regional Director Benjamín Suarez. 

Co-hosts from the City of Tucson were represented by Barbra Coffee, Director of the Office of Economic Initiatives, with special remarks delivered by the office of The Honorable Regina Romero, Mayor of Tucson. What made this gathering particularly meaningful was seeing the Pima County Economic Development Strategy in action – specifically the commitment to foreign direct investment with Mexico and a focus on priority sectors through true regional collaboration.

Regional Partnership in Action

This event showcased the power of a true regional approach to economic development. Alongside co-hosts from the City of Tucson, we were joined by key partners including:

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AZ mexico

Arizona-Mexico Commission celebrates 66th anniversary

The 2025 Summit of the Arizona-Mexico Commission (AMC) marked the organization’s 66th anniversary on June 26-27. This must-attend event gathered the region’s most influential business, government and community leaders to foster innovative private/public partnerships.

Pima County Economic Development Director Heath Vescovi-Chiordi said the Arizona-Mexico Commission 66th Anniversary Summit was an extraordinary occasion. 

“It’s an amazing opportunity to reconnect with our partners from Mexico, to discuss the important topics in economic development and subnational diplomacy, and to ensure our relationships with Mexico are tactical, engaging, and create opportunity,” he said.

It was a milestone moment in strengthening cross-border collaboration and regional prosperity — made even more significant by honoring the former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, with a distinguished award for his outstanding leadership and dedication to advancing binational relations.

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Semicon

Arizona showcases semiconductor leadership at

U.S.-Mexico collaboration forum

To further strengthen economic ties between Arizona and Mexico, Arizona hosted a collaboration forum focused on semiconductor advancement June 23-24. 

Held for the first time in the U.S. and Arizona, the U.S.-Mexico Semiconductor Collaboration Forum: Advancing Subnational Priorities and Strengthening Bilateral Collaboration included a welcome reception on June 23 at Phoenix City Hall, a full day of programming on June 24 showcasing Arizona and Mexico’s semiconductor strengths, and opportunities for further collaboration. 

“The ACA-Mexico Semiconductor Forum was an extremely important event," said Pima County Economic Development Director Heath Vescovi-Chiordi. 

"It brought together many partners around this critical industry, and has led to additional initiatives within our own department and Mexico. As we coalesce around this industry and adjacent ones, we will see significant increases in partnerships and investments not only in Arizona as a whole, but specifically in Southern Arizona and Pima County.”

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