CITY OF TUCSON OFFICE OF ECONOMIC INITIATIVES
CELEBRATES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEEK
The City of Tucson Office of Economic Initiatives joins the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and the Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) in celebrating Economic Development Week from May 9 to May 14, 2021.
Economic Development Week was created by the IEDC in 2016 to increase awareness of local programs that create jobs, advance career development opportunities, and improve the quality of life in communities everywhere. The theme of AAED’s Economic Development Week celebration is “Collaborative Arizona Communities.”
The Office of Economic Initiatives has collaborated with national corporations to create 194 jobs, retain 375 jobs, and bring $77.3 million in capital investment to Tucson in the first quarter of 2021. CIS Global, a provider of product development, manufacturing, and logistics management services, is expanding its existing Tucson headquarters and will add 100 new jobs, with an estimated economic impact of $139.3 million over five years. Beckton, Dickinson and Company (BD) invested $65 million in a 120,000-square-foot medical sterilization facility in Tucson, to be operational by mid-2022. Approximately 40 new jobs will be created, with an estimated economic impact of $122 million over the next 10 years. Edmund Optics, a provider of optical and imaging components, is expanding its local facility and adding 50 new tech jobs. And Amazon is opening a 270,000-square-foot center later this year, adding hundreds of full- and part-time jobs.
The City of Tucson Office of Economic Initiatives also collaborates with local and regional organizations to attract and retain high-quality jobs, facilitate growth, and stimulate entrepreneurship. Some recent collaborations include working with Startup Tucson on the Remote Tucson program, with the City Council and community stakeholders on the Central Business District, with Pima Community College on the Thrive in the 05 program, with the YWCA of Southern Arizona and other nonprofits on the We Are One | Somos Uno Resiliency Fund, and with Pima County on the Hownd customer generation program for local businesses.
The City of Tucson has received media accolades for its economic climate—even during the pandemic. In April, Tucson was featured in a New York Times article about cities on the fast track to recovery. In March, Forbes named Tucson as a Top 7 city for remote workers. Last year, Moody’s Analytics named Tucson a Top 10 city best positioned to recover from coronavirus.
“Economic development is a team sport,” said Barbra Coffee, Director of Economic Initiatives for the City of Tucson. “This is a great opportunity for us to recognize and thank our partners in economic and workforce development across the region, the state and the country who help us attract and retain jobs in this community.”
About the International Economic Development Council:
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a nonprofit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 5,000 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. IEDC’s programs offer world-class professional development, accreditation, research, and advocacy. Learn more at iedconline.org.
About City of Tucson Office of Economic Initiatives:
The City of Tucson Office of Economic Initiatives coordinates the city’s economic development programs for the purpose of attracting jobs and investment to the City of Tucson. The Office of Economic Initiatives also offers local small business and entrepreneurial assistance and encourages workforce development to foster a long term sustainable and diverse local economy. For more information or to contact the Office of Economic Initiatives, visit www.ConnectTucson.com.
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