Economic Development Update

Change at the City’s Economic Development Office

Initial interviews, callbacks and final interviews have been held for the open position of Scottsdale’s Economic Development Director. Chair Eric Larson was recruited by city staff to serve as an interviewer in the first round and reports that he was pleased with the talent interested in the city’s highest economic development post.

Jim Mullin, who served the city in that capacity on a contract basis, was let go by the City Manager a couple of months ago. That departure has allowed the city to pursue an economic development senior staff position rather than a contract professional and the successful candidate will lead a seasoned staff of professionals who work hard to improve the economic base of our city. The appointment should be made and announced very soon, and the Chamber looks forward to working closely with the new director.

Focus Initiative Groups (FIGs)
Part of the ongoing work following Scottsdale Forward in March was the creation of four FIGs that will work from May through the summer in order to help focus Chamber initiatives on behalf of our membership and the city.

Partner Council Update

Welcome to our newest Partner Council members

AirSprint Private Aviation
Contact:  Orin Anderson
14600 N. Airport Dr.
Scottsdale, AZ 85260-2420www.airsprint.com  AirSprint provides its clients fractional ownership programs which are structured to help them achieve the greatest possible return on their investment in private aviation.  From its US corporate headquarters at Scottsdale Municipal Airport, AirSprint delivers a unique brand of boutique customer service that facilitates the accomplishments of a very exclusive group of individuals.

Scottsdale AirCenter
Contact:  Troy Padilla
15290 N. 78th Way
Scottsdale, AZ 85260-2624
www.scottsdaleaircenter.com
Scottsdale AirCenter is a full service fixed base operator (FBO), based at Scottsdale Municipal Airport and serving the flying public of the Greater Phoenix Metro Area.   Its world-class facility includes a modern, uniquely designed terminal with over 10,000 square feet and four hangars totaling over 175,000 square feet of space.

Upcoming Invitation-Only Partner Council Events
For more information, or to RSVP, please contact Terry Finch at tfinch@scottsdalechamber.com.

2013 April Ribbon Cuttings

As a service to our members at the Classic level and above, the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to recognize new businesses with a ribbon cutting ceremony. In addition to helping promote your business, a team of Chamber Ambassadors will arrive to welcome you to the business community and help you officially cut the ribbon on your new enterprise. For more information about Scottsdale Area Chamber Ribbon Cutting program, please contact Kelly Rich.

Congratulations and welcome to our new April businesses!

Saladworks

April 10, 2013

 

Hospice of the Valley

April 16, 2013 

 

TCBY

April 2, 2013 

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.