Southern Arizona leaders advance actionable strategies to strengthen workforce development
Over the past nine months, the Southern Arizona Workforce Leadership Academy has united a diverse group of leaders from business, education, government, and community organizations to tackle urgent workforce challenges and identify opportunities to strengthen the regional economy.
Now, Fellows are sharing actionable recommendations — developed through deep collaboration and shared learning over the past year — that chart a path forward for Southern Arizona’s workforce. Their proposals offer practical strategies to:
- Enhancing workforce infrastructure and childcare
- Strengthening industry’s role in career exploration
- Connecting young adults who are not currently in school or working — often referred to as Opportunity Youth
- Leveraging proven workforce development strategies
Two-day gathering focuses on trilateral trade relations
Pima County Economic Development Director Heath Vescovi-Chiordi talked trade among the United States, Mexico and Canada at the Arizona District Export Council’s 4th USMCA Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Dialogue Series event Nov. 18-19.
The two-day gathering included hundreds of representatives from federal, regional, state and local government, academia, private industry, policy and advocacy groups, and more from across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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SRP hosts economic developers for watershed tour
Salt River Project (SRP) hosted economic development professionals from around the state, including Pima County Economic Development Director Heath Vescovi-Chiordi, for a helicopter tour of the SRP watershed on Nov 21.
The tour shed light on how interconnected the state’s water resources are, as well as how they directly connect to power generation and the implications for climate resiliency across Arizona.
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AAED plans strategic direction
Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) held its Strategic Planning Retreat Nov. 20 to shape and advance the course and direction of AAED for the next 3-5 years.
As President-Elect of AAED, Pima County Economic Development Director Heath Vescovi-Chiordi actively participated in this opportunity to provide his vision for the organization and collaborate with colleagues from across the state.
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D.C. leadership trip: Investors on the Hill
The Chamber of Southern Arizona led a 20-person delegation to Washington, D.C., Nov 19-21 to advance Tucson and Southern Arizona priorities at the federal level.
The group:
- Met with members of Arizona’s congressional delegation, including Sen. Ruben Gallego and Rep. Juan Ciscomani
- Heard briefings from the U.S. Chamber on tariffs, transportation and permitting reform
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Follow us on LinkedIn
Keep up on the latest economic development news in the region by following the Pima County Economic Development Department on LinkedIn.
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