Guiding Principles

• Work with regional Economic Development Organizations, education and other partners to ensure and improve on the Five Pillars of Economic Competitiveness: Workforce and Talent, Quality of Place, Infrastructure, Economic and Business Climate, and Regional Government and Institutions 
• Create an economic environment where entrepreneurs, small business, and large industry alike can thrive, in order to have a range of wages and jobs that attract and retain talent 
• Focus Economic Development efforts and storytelling around core industries including: Mining, Aerospace/Defense and Space Exploration, and Biosciences/Healthcare, as well as look at how the Chamber can be involved in the growing focus on green technology and jobs, strengthening the food and restaurant industry and brand, and supporting an environment for manufacturing in Southern Arizona 

Areas of Influence

• Monitor Pima County Adoption of newest FDA Food Code, ensuring county-wide compliance with the newest FDA food code for enhanced food safety standards does not apply undue burden on the restaurant industry in Tucson 
• Monitor expected return of legislation that will expand the foods that meet the cottage food exemption if they meet certain requirements 
• Advocate for changes in the City of Tucson’s parking code to ease permitting burden on Restaurants 
• Monitor and take action on the One Fair Wage Initiative 
• Work with fellow stakeholders to ensure broader access to large-scale capital in the region for investing in startups and technology  
• Monitor, assess, and report on Key Performance Indicators of the City and County Economic Development teams. Those KPIs being, but not limited to, number of new business permits, number of new businesses created, workforce participation, key wage measures, and number of new hires created within those Anchor Industries. 
• Expand relationship with US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, Sonoran Corridor affiliates, and manufacturing community in order to capitalize on the increase of trade flows and economic growth. 
• Coordinate with public and private stakeholders to ensure shovel-ready land for industrial development and manufacturing, and partner with economic development groups as applicable to promote to site selectors the opportunities available in the region. 

Guiding Principles

• Actively promote inclusion of provisions that advance our competitive advantage.

• Promote reliable regional infrastructure, coordinated and expanded across local jurisdictions, as an essential government function that is necessary to preserve and improve economic growth and quality of life.

• Support infrastructure financing focused on use of broad-base funding sources as well as long-term funding solutions, with local businesses paying only their equitable and proportionate share.

• Promote measures that provide practical and meaningful incentives for business investment in infrastructure.

• Expect jurisdictional plans and budget to acknowledge the importance of future growth and allocate investments, particularly on vacant State lands, most likely locations intended for primary jobs employers.

• Support efforts that augment infrastructure delivery and management systems needed for community development and growth: supply; treatment; conveyance; generation; storage; maintenance and upgrades.

• Support infrastructure investment uses of speculative builder tax, construction sales tax, maintenance, repair, replacement or alteration tax.

• Support initiatives and efforts that work to solve the digital divide and the digital inequities that exist throughout our region.

• Oppose government-controlled/funded broadband networks that compete with the private sector.

• Encourage the continuing need for a diversity of energy sources in economic development and municipal/regional planning.

• Oppose new Scenic and Gateway Corridor designations that affect overhead utilities within the urban environment and expanding the designation of Scenic and Gateway Routes within designated growth areas for future business and employers.

• Support regional coordination and collaboration amongst jurisdictions and water providers for improving efficient water use and water conservation.

• Advocate for the use of water across jurisdictional boundaries to support development activities that create jobs and improve the local economy.

• Ensure that water providers have sufficient volumes of water allocated to meet current and future economic development needs.

Areas of Influence

• Ensure business and development insights are incorporated early into the drafting of any new resolutions, policies, regulations ordinances or design and operating manuals.

• Monitor, review and analyze initial construction and ongoing operation and maintenance cost and benefit impacts to business, as resolutions, regulations and ordinances arise in transportation, energy, water and communications.

• Quantify and educate elected officials, appointed boards, commissions and committees, government staff on the contributions of private, for-profit business to government public service delivery.

• Monitor new license agreements with broadband providers to ensure a level playing field for all providers, including but not limited to waived ROW access fees, expedited permitting timelines, waived or decreased permitting fees, special construction standards, and other special treatment

• Ensure that the RTA (Regional Transportation Authority) Next benefits business over the next 20 years. Given that, strongly support and lead on RTA reauthorization ahead of 2025.

• Advocate for a sustainable SunTran funding solution that closes the budget shortfall gap for FY24, while keeping it as affordable and as safe as possible.

• Monitor the 1-year review of the EVSE ordinance and advocate on behalf of members on its impact

• Ensure the impacts of fee and rate increases, such as for Planning and Development Services, Commercial Water Rates, Park Tucson, etc. do not disproportionately or inappropriately impact businesses.

• Monitor updates to the Utility Construction Manual

• Encourage and support coordination among local governments in the region as they pursue grant funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

• Work with local state legislators to prevent sweeps of HURF funds to balance the State budget.

• Remain active and engaged on power and energy infrastructure issues, such as the Midtown Reliability Project, and other such initiatives, to ensure both public and private benefit.

• Promote a positive message about the Tucson region’s success in managing water resources and its sufficient water to meet future needs.

• Continue support for the Tucson Regional Water Coalition and Pima County representatives on the CAWCD Board

• Support statewide efforts to ensure that future water re-allocations provide for current and future business needs.

Guiding Principles

• Advocate for effective levels of funding for patrol officers within the Tucson Police Department and Pima County Sheriff’s Department.

• Advocate for a data driven approach that will result in appropriate and responsible staffing levels and response times according to our region’s population and geographic location.

• Support policing reforms that address the appropriate level of force and the continuation of team efforts within the department that include proper training for mental health and drug treatment situations.

• Support modifications to how emergency/911/dispatch calls are managed to ensure the most effective personnel response to the scene of the accident, crime or situation

• Advocate for effective levels of funding for the Tucson Fire Department and Regional Fire Districts.

• Empower business owners with information on safeguarding their businesses.

• Enhance the prosecutorial process for holding offenders accountable, and influence meaningful policy adjustments.

Areas of Influence

• Work with retailers to report losses, publish local data, and leverage it for lobbying efforts

• Advocate for safer, more secure transit in Tucson, and for financial viability of the public transit system.

• Assist in the convening and coordination of law enforcement across jurisdictions to strengthen communication to address retail theft effectively, and consistency of their reporting and data.

• Engage in the hiring and oversight processes of government employees or electeds, such as Pima County’s Retail Theft Attorney, city court judges, etc.

• Ensure that the Outdoor Lighting Code, and any changes to it, factor in issues related to crime and safety.