By Akos Kovach
Contrary to what many seem to believe, ‘economic development’ is not a contact sport. Neither is ‘economic development’ a contest or competition. It is, therefore, essential to educate oneself about ‘economic development’.
Much like learning how to participate in a team activity, the roles, the dynamics, and the functionality of the many moving parts within ‘economic development’ provide us with a keen insight regarding the process of how to turn lemons into lemonade.
Much like the development of diversifying the economy of Southeastern Arizona, one of the most difficult aspects of being successful depends largely on stakeholder participation, buy-in by the public, sharing and exchanging ideas between elected officials and their administrative staff and visa versa.
This example is useful — large vessels at sea prepare many miles ahead of time to change the direction of the ship. Likewise, the ability of the SEAGO Region to alter their course, to add new employers and attract new investors started months ago. It is called building relationships.
Some have questioned why the SEAGO EDP directed so much attention towards the international border and the SEAGO Region’s three international crossing points — Nogales, Douglas & Naco. The one word answer is simple: JOBS.
New jobs create a positive buzz
New jobs create a positive buzz among investors and employers. Investors are constantly on the lookout for emerging technologies and solutions to profitability. Employers are constantly struggling with how to match job vacancies with the best possible employees, when and where to expand, and how to maximize efficiencies of scale.
In the world of ‘economic development’ it is always a worthy exercise to identify ‘low hanging fruit’, opportunities that can immediately translate into profitability and or job creation. At the same time, most economic development professionals realize there are precious few ‘quick fixes’.
The problems of unemployment, decreased sales tax revenues, dwindling budgets and loss of population swirl downward into a vortex. Putting a ‘plug’ in the drain is not easy. But it can be accomplished. The siphoning effect of the drain can be slowed and eventually stopped.
Attracting new investors and new employers to the border communities is the first step in ‘heightening awareness’ to our cities and communities many miles north of the international border.
That ‘first’ site visit can be a deal maker or deal breaker. For example, think about a recent restaurant experience of your own. The food was so-so. The people at the next table were boisterous. But the wait staff was cheerful, well-trained and anticipated everything you wanted. You want to go back to that restaurant because of the service.
Now think bigger — we spend weeks, sometimes months to bring a tepid, wary investor to ‘to see the border region for themselves’.
Once we are able to show them around the Region and pinpoint what Southeastern Arizona has to offer, they make comments to us like: “Wow. This is nothing like what the media portrays.” “Why aren’t there more people down here spending money?”
Or “If I had known about this place three months ago I would have opened my new store here.” “It’s so quiet and peaceful, how can that be?” “We were told this was a war zone.” “I walked across the border, went from store to store, had a fabulous meal and felt completely safe the whole time!”
These are people who will return
These are the people who will return to Southeastern Arizona, to invest, spend time, bring others and develop long-term relationships.
These are the same people who, now that they are comfortable, will spend the extra day or two to tour the northern portions of the SEAGO Region, Graham and Greenlee Counties. Like the tiny mustard seed, once properly planted, grows into a mighty tree.
Planting seeds of economic vitality
The same holds true here in Southeastern, Arizona. We have planted the seeds of economic vitality, broader vision, the dynamic to continue doing what we already do well but making it bigger, better, and more efficient.
We would urge you to research and review the numerous studies that can be found online that speak to cross border collaboration and job expansion. The University of Arizona, Arizona Department of Transportation and Arizona State University studies regarding trade routes and related job opportunities.
Just stop and think: A small, simple intermodal operation in Benson along I-10 — the anticipated fruit of cross-border trade — is expected to create 350 primary jobs, at a minimum there will be one support job created for each primary job — for a total of 700 new good paying, sustainable jobs with benefits.
Statistically it has been documented that rural workers are willing to commute 90 to 100 miles one way. Benson is located within this driving range for all incorporated cities of the SEAGO Region except Clifton.
We ask that everyone with any questions, ideas or suggestions send them to us today — we are not ignoring anyone, quite the contrary we are involving everyone. Come, grow with us! economicdevelopment@seago.org
