Chairman's Corner

Scottsdale Forward

We had a wonderful turnout from the community and the membership for Scottsdale Forward. On March 21 at Scottsdale Community College’s Performing Arts Center, 200 business and civic leaders gathered to learn from a diverse group of speakers about some of the exciting and encouraging economic development initiatives in our city, region and state.

Following welcoming remarks from SCC President Dr. Jan Gehler and Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane, Dr. Michael Crow, President of ASU, delivered an entertaining and power-packed keynote address about all the things that are right about Arizona and why this state is positioned to take a leadership position in several key areas of the new economy. Dr. Crow included biotech and biomed, engineering, software development, research and business start-ups as notable sectors that will lead the way. He pointed with pride to many of ASU’s accomplishments to aid in this explosion of new economy business, citing ASU’s #1 ranked Honors College, #1 ranking in number of Fulbright Scholars and many other significant benchmarks.

Economic Development Update

The Economic Development Advisory Council held its first meeting in the new training room at DMB Associates at 7600 E. Doubletree Ranch Road. Thank you DMB for letting us use your wonderful facility.

Scottsdale General Plan

Erin Perrault, Long Range Planning Manager for the City of Scottsdale, updated the group on the status of the new General Plan that is being developed for a voter ballot in November 2014. She shared the report of the Visioning Scottsdale Town Hall, a public outreach effort in which 100 community leaders were engaged to help guide the future of Scottsdale. The report represents the general consensus of the Town Hall participants. The report provides input in the broad areas of Scottsdale’s Best Features, Capitalizing on Scottsdale’s Best Features, Community Values and A Vision for the Future.

You can download a copy of the report at:
http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Assets/Public+Website/generalplan/Visioning+Scottsdale+Report.pdf

Partner Council Update

Steve Chucri, newly elected Maricopa County Supervisor for District 2, joined Partner Council members for a Leader’s Dialogue lunch on March 13. Partner Council member CCS Presentation Systems kindly provided the venue for the event.

Supervisor Steve Chucri shared his vision for enhancements at the county government level ranging from on-line licensing applications to a more streamlined approval process. He discussed the process now underway to appoint a new supervisor to fill the vacancy which resulted from the resignation of Supervisor Max Wilson on March 11. The informal gathering provided an opportunity for Partner Council attendees to receive candid answers to questions that ranged from the County Supervisors’ relationship with the Sheriff’s department to the problem of a limited workforce for the restaurant industry.

Public Policy Update

City of Scottsdale’s Public Policy Department

Scottsdale Bond 2013
There is never a dull moment in Scottsdale, and the City Council almost put a new Scottsdale Bond proposal on the November 2013 ballot. Made up of necessary infrastructure improvements that help keep our city safe and up to date, the 2013 bond program will ask voters to approve roughly $212 million in projects, assuming final ratification by the Council on April 9.

The Chamber ran the last major bond campaign, Bond 2000, which provided $360 million toward significant improvements to Scottsdale’s infrastructure, parks and public safety. Now the City is ready to come to the voters again, this time with a more modest approach, vetted by a citizen committee who devoted 900 hours to the winnowing of projects down to the essential needs.

Partner Council Update

The Partner Council Steering Committee, chaired by Kevin Sellers, has been hard at work to bring you meaningful, enjoyable events that provide opportunities to interact with your fellow Partner Council members, as well as content that is relevant to you and your businesses.
Our recent Partner Council lunch at The Charro Lodge at Scottsdale Stadium was well attended by nearly 80 members, and is now planned as an annual event.

Events planned in the near future include:

What:  Partner Council Leaders Dialogue Series
When: Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Time:  11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Where:      CCS Presentations Systems
                17350 N. Hartford Dr.
                Scottsdale, AZ  85255
                (Just off Princess Drive, between Hayden and the 101)
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear Supervisor Steve Chucri share his vision for the Maricopa County Supervisors.