Promote Tucson

There is no doubt that the economy is tough, but it isn’t for everyone. Harvey Mackay, the author of Swimming with the Sharks, recently spoke at an Arizona Small Business Association event in Tucson. He shared a story about a realtor’s conference that he spoke at. He said that 80% of them were very depressed about their business, but 20% were doing great! When there is less business opportunity there are still those that find a way to make it happen. This is true about communities as well.

Tucson seems to be really feeling the crunch, yet other cities like Salt Lake City, Albuquerque and even El Paso are making gains. And we don’t even want to talk about the Metroplex (Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington) in Texas. These cities are growing from the exodus of businesses fleeing from California and by creating economic opportunity for business development. Part of our problem is that our elected officials have not insisted on a culture change in our government bureaucracies.

Recently a friend of mine told me of his experience at Tucson Planning and Development services department. He was sitting with one of the employees when he excused himself. After 10 minutes my friend asked where the employee went to. He was told that he was on his lunch break and should be back in 20 minutes! When a business person walks in that department they should be greeted with joy that someone might actually be building something in our community that would generate tax revenue. We need to insist that our county and city elected officials demand a change in the culture of our local government. This will mean firing some people and shaking things up. But, I think the message will be received particularly when the employees are losing their jobs and having their benefits cut. Coupled with that change we need a change of attitude about our community.

Salt Lake City (SLC) has done a tremendous job of promoting their city to their citizens. The local radio and TV broadcasters are running a campaign promoting the benefits of SLC. They boast of attracting many companies employing thousands of people in the high tech industries and a 3% unemployment rate! I am working with other media groups in Tucson to put a campaign like this together. You should also see the city council come out with a vision plan to promote solar and high tech businesses coming to Tucson. The net result of a campaign that promotes the vision of Tucson and its’ assets is that people will start feeling good about our community. When Aunt Betty calls and asks if she should think at moving her company to Tucson she will be recited the good things about Tucson because we will be repeating them on the radio and TV stations in our city.

There was an article in the Daily Star asking the question if Tucson is moving to the right? They were talking politically since we have a 60 % democrat base here, yet we elected a republican (Steve K) and nearly upset Karen U. Politics aside I am hoping that Tucson will get headed in the right direction for our children and grandchildren’s sake.