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FLORENCE, AZ – Pinal County Board of Supervisors Chairman Anthony Smith has been named to the Board of Directors of TREO (Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities, Inc.), the lead economic development agency for Southern Arizona.
The primary goal of TREO is facilitate the creation of high-wage jobs, through the attraction of new primary companies, the retention/expansion of existing primary companies and increased business creation/entrepreneurship strength within the region.
Pima and Pinal counties are in key strategic locations within the Sun Corridor, one of only 10 U.S. markets expected to see most of the nation’s growth in the next 35 years. Many areas within the Sun Corridor are preparing for what could be an economic boon the state has never witnessed.
Arizona’s rapidly expanding megaregion holds a promise for turning Arizona into an international economic competitor, which creates partnership possibilities between neighboring areas.
“This is a win-win for both counties,” Chairman Smith said. “Our focus is to bring good jobs to the area where people can work close to home and make Pinal County a place where they want to settle down. When you combine that with the business friendly attitude that both Pinal County leadership and TREO share, this will accomplish great things for a long time to come.”
“Both Pima and Pinal counties share strategic issues affecting economic development including infrastructure, connectivity to Mexico and the West Coast and positioning the Sun Corridor for economic growth,” said Guy Gunther, chair, TREO Board of Directors and Vice President of Operations, Arizona, CenturyLink . “Chairman Smith joins other public organizations represented on the TREO Board to further mutual interests/cooperation and collectively advance our region.”
Pinal County Economic Development Director Tim Kanavel said that alliances like the one between TREO and Pinal County are going to be the future of economic development for both Arizona and the rest of the country.
“Every area has its strengths and weaknesses when it comes to trying to lure good paying jobs,” Kanavel stated. “It never made much sense to me when cities and chambers would fight over slivers of economic development, when they could work together and make a real impact. We are seeing the future of effective economic development by an alliance between Pinal County and TREO.”
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