GPEC “As the 6th largest market in the nation, the answer is ‘yes,’ we can definitely compete,” Crow adds. But his endorsement comes with a warning about issues that need to be addressed to take Greater Phoenix to the next level. “First, we are still lagging in educational attainment overall,” Crow says. “Second, we’re lagging in the knowledge and science and technology indexes that are essential to many businesses. And, I think also importantly, we don’t tend, at the moment, to have an economic development strategy across all sectors of the economy presently here.” Crow points that in some regions with which we compete – Denver, Salt Lake City, Austin, parts of California, Seattle – there is a deep commitment to high-levels of educational attainment, deep commitment to research and engineering in particular. “Each of our competing regions and cities have definitively advanced engineering training education
and research activities,” Crow says. “Each of these then are correlated with their competitiveness with us.” So do we have areas to continue to improve upon? Indeed. We need to be consistent and vigilant in our economic strategy, according to Crow, if we are to keep up with our competing markets. Bottom line: Arizona’s desirability for attracting new business, growing existing business and reinforcing an already burgeoning skilled workforce isn’t departing firstclass stature anytime soon. Perhaps we ought to close in a most apropos way, by allowing Morfessis to summarize. “Our region offers abundant and skilled human capital; a highly energized, innovative and entrepreneurial business climate; a businessfriendly state and local governments; great community colleges, ASU, and a tightly woven culture of regional cooperation, all contributing to an unbeatable asset base for business and economic growth.”
Strength of Phoenix “The rise of world-class co-working spaces in
Phoenix is helping entrepreneurs collaborate. The design of these spaces facilitates creative energy and new ideas. The perks also add up – from lounges to marketing resources. Being a part of a community and building relationships with like-minded people adds tremendous value.” Jason Valasek, co-founder of Cloud LGS
“With universities nearby, a climate and culture
people enjoy, Phoenix provides talent with techoriented and social media skills that have helped our company grow – from six to more than 170. Businesses and municipalities are also supportive of our innovation. Phoenix has an environment that makes growth possible for Millennials and their employers.” Alexi, Venneri, CEO and co-founder of Digital Air Strike
“Our housing market was one of the hardest hit in the country during the downturn and we have come out of it with a more balanced recovery than in many other places. Major Phoenix-based companies are gaining recognition in a variety of industries, which lends itself to top talent moving into the Valley and the growth of our overall economy.” Matt Widdows, founder and CEO of HomeSmart
MICHAEL CROW: “We need to find more energy to put into all of those businesses which are increasingly knowledge-driven and advanced,” says the president of Arizona State University and GPEC board member. “For instance, advanced manufacturing has taken off in various parts of the country and needs to become more important here in Metropolitan Phoenix.” PHOTO BY MIKE MERTES, AZ BIG MEDIA
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AB | January - February 2017