|
The nation's current economic conditions have certainly presented difficulties, obstacles and discouragement for us all. But Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities, Inc. (TREO) remains committed to its mission of wealth creation and job development for the entire Tucson region.
Despite the current recession, interest in business development remains high and TREO’s efforts resulted in the creation of over 1,600 total new direct and indirect jobs, with a total economic impact of $268 million. Of the new jobs created, 78% were in TREO’s targeted industries of aerospace and defense, bioscience, solar, and transportation and logistics (see page 7 of TREO's Annual Report for more business development data from FY 08-09).
One of the biggest challenges TREO faced was responding to the economic recession and the needs of the local community. But out of crisis emerges opportunity, and TREO responded with a plan to diversify our economic engine and improve the economic outlook for the region.
Launched in Spring 2009, “Tucson: Job One” is an immediate action plan with clearly defined priorities to address strengthening the local economy and creating/maintaining jobs and spending. It synergizes the region’s recent strategic planning efforts and priorities, demonstrating how all local economic drivers can work together to emerge stronger, with a much more diversified economy.
Operating within the framework of the 2007 Economic Blueprint, the “Tucson: Job One” plan breaks down into five strategic focus areas:
- Acceleration of regional and national marketing
- Local company assistance
- Enhanced tools to spur job creation
- Creating a strong and unified voice
- Leveraging Federal stimulus funding
Over the past year many of our community's residents have faced unemployment and looked to TREO’s leadership and guidance in making job connections. As part of the Job One plan, TREO surveyed 170 of the top local employers to identify open positions in the community and connect them to job seekers. Companies reported a total of more than 2,200 open positions anticipated to be filled, and to help promote these openings TREO created an online Job Portal.
One of the biggest successes resulting from efforts of the Job One plan was passage of Quality Jobs Through Renewable Energies (SB 1403) in the legislative session.
The Job One plan represents the best example of TREO’s role in the community as a thought leadership organization – one that provides the region with well thought out solutions and realistic goals to achieve economic prosperity. TREO works collaboratively with other community leaders to solve the region's issues.
As we embark on a challenging year of work, we will perservere in our mission of business development and job creation for the Tucson region.
Click here to download a list of TREO program focus areas for Fiscal Year 2009-2010.
Click here to view the 2008-2009 Annual Report
Joe Snell,
President & CEO
|