Pinal County Economic Development Director: “A Good Foundation for the Future is in Place”

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather

FLORENCE – Pinal County’s Economic Development Director Tim Kanavel says that 2014 saw the Board of Supervisors take tremendous steps forward in the area of economic development.

“Yes, this has been a red-letter year when it comes to charting our path toward creating better jobs for our residents in Pinal County,” Kanavel said. “Every good building has a solid foundation and they have done exactly that – they have laid a good foundation for our future.”

The county made headlines recently when they joined forces with the group known as Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities (TREO). Board of Supervisors Chairman Anthony Smith now sits on the group’s Board of Directors.

“When we first sat as a board in 2013, the Supervisors were united in the idea that we have to take control of our destiny as a county,” Chairman Smith recalled. “We have been very fortunate to be asked to join a group like TREO. In the end it really does make sense because we do have a lot in common when it comes to developing more businesses and jobs in the region. You can look at the Union Pacific Classification Yard and Pinal Airpark as two prime examples of the type of economic development opportunities that affect both Pinal and Pima County.”

Both Pinal and TREO are looking ahead to a possible Interstate 11 corridor that would offer an alternative path to the Las Vegas area bypassing the City of Phoenix. This ties directly into the future growth of the Sun Corridor from Nogales to Prescott.

The Sun Corridor megaregion is one of 11 such regions throughout the United States and Canada. As of 2010, the Census placed the megaregion’s population at 5,653,766. By 2050, it is estimated that over 12 million people will inhabit the region. Currently, District 3 Supervisor Steve Miller serves as the Chairman of the local Sun Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization. That group works on transportation planning services throughout the area.

“Whether we like it or not, this area is going to grow and grow substantially,” Smith said. “We are realizing we have to make a serious effort now to help plan our part of the Sun Corridor, or we are going to have someone plan it for us. Working as a team with groups like TREO and local Chambers of Commerce will help us take advantage of that growth while protecting open spaces.”

When Kanavel joined Pinal County in 2009, he found the area fractured and without a plan when it came to serious economic development efforts.

“It seemed like everyone had a plan for their area, but at the same time they didn’t know what their neighboring agencies were planning,” Kanavel stated. “There was a lot of fighting for a small sliver of the pie when it came to attracting employers to the area. In the end, the jobs would usually go elsewhere.”

Kanavel said the county was one entity that didn’t have a plan to maximize its potential.

“This year we have taken a huge step forward when it comes to knowing what we have to entice employers to the region,” Kanavel said. “When potential employers come calling they want to know what kind of land they could build on, what the costs of doing business are going to be and most importantly – what kind of employees they will be able to attract to work for them. At first we would have to tell them ‘we don’t know.’ Now we know.”

Kanavel credits a series of work-skills assessments done in targeted regions inside the county. Assessments were done in San Tan Valley, Gold Canyon and Apache Junction, the Copper Corridor (eastern Pinal County), Central Pinal County, Casa Grande and Western Pinal County. Kanavel said the assessments results were somewhat surprising.

“We have a higher education work force than we originally thought,” Kanavel said. “The amount of people that have moved into Pinal County in the past eight years has had the effect of raising our work-force skills level. Employers will be pleased at what we have to offer them when it comes to potential employees.”

Chairman Smith said the assessments results were good news for the county.

“One of our strategic goals when it comes to economic development is that we want people to be able to work in the county they live,” Smith stated. “For too long we have seen people live here, but work in the East Valley or in Tucson. Employers will be impressed with the work-force Pinal County has to offer them.”

Supervisor Miller came to the county after serving on the Casa Grande City Council during the time the area was attracting more jobs than any other location in Pinal. He firmly states that employers need to know that Pinal County has had an attitude change when it comes to attracting businesses.

“One of our ongoing goals it to create a more business friendly environment,” the District 3 Supervisor said. “It’s not a matter of giving away the store, but make our codes more palatable towards a business, large or small, to want to come here. Our new slogan is ‘We want your business.'”

Working with the City of Casa Grande, the State of Arizona and other economic development agencies, Pinal County is looking at companies investing over $12.5 billion dollars by moving or starting their businesses here.

“The word is getting out about our new attitude and the partnerships we have with other entities,” Kanavel said. “Within two to ten years we will see businesses like Phoenix Mart, Tractor Supply Company’s distribution center, Resolution Copper Mine, and many more large employers start up their businesses here. These folks are bringing jobs, good paying jobs to the area. We have the available land, we have the available work force, what more could a business want?”

Chairman Smith said the short-term outlook is great, but Pinal County must keep an eye on the long term growth of the region.

“We cannot just pat ourselves on the back for the short-term successes,” Smith said. “Our potential is even greater when you look 20 to 50 years down the road. We are set-up perfectly to become a major transportation hub in North America. When you have I-10, I-8 and the future I-11, things are eventually going to happen. Now you add Pinal Airpark, the Union Pacific Classification Yard and a potential inland port just outside Coolidge – the conditions are ripe for Pinal County to become the center of commerce for the western United States along with Northern Mexico. I am excited about the potential we have.”

After the successes Pinal County has achieved in 2014, Kanavel said the onus is on his department to help keep the ball rolling forward.

“We have been able to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time,” Kanavel said. “Just look at our unemployment rate. It dropped for the fifth straight month to seven percent. We cannot and will not stand pat. The foundation for a prosperous future has been laid out. Now it is on all of us from the county to TREO to our cities to look ahead and not look back. The future is coming and we will be ready.”

Staff (5795 Posts)

There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.


Facebooktwitterby feather
Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather

Comments are closed.

  • Additional Stories

    Annual San Manuel Copper Classic motorcycle race returns March 9

    February 4th, 2024
    by

        Well, they will be at it again. The Trail Riders of Southern Arizona (TRS) will be hosting the […]


    Strong Start to Superior’s 2024

    February 4th, 2024
    by

    Our great town has entered 2024 at hypersonic speed, and we are excited about the many major milestones we have […]


    Winkelman Preparatory Academy plans expansion

    February 4th, 2024
    by

    By Mila Besich   When the school year first started in August of 2023, 16 young girls began attending the […]


    New welding facility open for regional learning in Superior

    February 4th, 2024
    by

      By Nathaniel A. Lopez   It’s official.   On Jan. 23, members of Superior Town Council, Rebuild Superior, Resolution […]


  • Additional Stories

    Queen Creek Bridge replacement project begins on US60; full closures will be required between Superior, Miami for blasting

    February 4th, 2024
    by

      SUPERIOR – The Arizona Department of Transportation is replacing two bridges on US 60 east of Superior with spans […]


    Pinal County hosts vaccine clinics in Kearny, Mammoth

    February 4th, 2024
    by

        On Jan. 14, the Pinal County Animal Care and Control offered low-cost vaccines to local pet owners in […]


    OWN Oracle to disband; Oracle Visitors Center to close

    February 4th, 2024
    by

      By Nathaniel A. Lopez   After many years of service in the Oracle, and surrounding communities, OWN-Oracle Women’s Network, […]


    Ray, Kearny PD receive grant for SRO

    February 1st, 2024
    by

      Ray Unified School District and the Kearny Police Department worked on a grant over the summer that funded a […]


  • Copperarea

  • Southeast Valley Ledger