Oro Valley Included In Pima County's Economic Development Plan

---
Several weeks ago, Pima County unveiled an "Economic Development Plan: 2012-2014."  The plan will cost you $197 million, $30 million of which would be directed toward 4 communities, including Oro Valley.  The plan is detailed in a report.

The plan calls for regional job growth centers in Oro Valley (Innovation Park), Marana, Sahuarita and South Tucson. The plan says the county should invite these communities to submit detailed economic development plans, assessments and investment needs regarding how to make these regional job centers economically attractive for the relocation of jobs from outside Pima County." (Page 11)

The funding requested by the towns "...must be site-specific with a detailed scope of work and implementation timeframe to meet the County’s accountability and transparency requirements of bond programs."

An attachment to the report lists 13 economic development comments that are "sourced" as being jointly requested by the Town of Oro Valley and the Oro Valley Chamber Of Commerce.  Three of these are specific to Oro Valley:

• Work with Oro Valley government toward Oro Valley annexation of the Arroyo Grande parcel;
• Ensure affordable water and wastewater connection fees; and 
• Accelerate road infrastructure improvements (Tangerine Road) 

One request asks for "Continue[d] strong funding for ...  MTCVB".

The other 9 requests refer the region:

• Encourage Tucson International Airport expansion; buffer Raytheon and improve its transportation access; create an aerospace and defense research park. 
• Work toward an intermodal logistics center. Work with Union Pacific on their plan for a container export rail facility. 
• Continue property tax incentives for job creating businesses. 
• Create property tax incentives for redevelopment. 
• Encourage soccer activities, both professional and amateur, at Kino Stadium. 
• Help keep the Accenture Match Play Tournament in the Tucson area. 
• Minimize development, building and planning fees   
• Place greater emphasis on geotourism. 
• Clean up our community -- medians, roadsides and entryways to downtown and the airport.

When would this plan be enacted?  Not soon.  The funding of the plan will require voters to approve a bond offering.  

---