Responding to the theme of what local leaders and communities can do to improve the economy in Arizona, more than 60 Quad Cities community leaders and activists
suggested recommendations that will become part of a larger report to Arizona citizens.
Overwhelmingly, those present agreed with the initial recommendation that the entire educational system in Arizona needs to be improved.
Kathleen Murphy, CEO of Yavapai Big Brothers/Big Sisters, was emphatic. “Less and less support is available to support our children. More and more good teachers are moving to other districts and states where they are well paid. That has a tremendous impact on our local economy, and it affects those who move to the community.”
Agreeing with Murphy were Michael Ellegood, a board member for the Yavapai County Education Foundation, and Alexandria Wright, the director of the Yavapai College Regional Economic Development Center.
Ellegood says definitive evidence exists that shows a direct correlation between educational funding and educational attainment.
Wright suggests that entrepreneurship should be side-by-side with improving education to increase capacity of existing business services.
The presentations and recommendations followed introductions by Chancellor Frank Ayers at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, which, through its ongoing partnership with Phoenix-based Arizona Town Hall (ATH) has hosted four community outreach programs during the past two years. This forum was March 17.
The forum first featured local leaders who earlier had participated in the statewide 105th ATH about “Arizona’s Economy” at the Grand Canyon.
Speaking first, Prescott Valley Mayor Harvey Skoog asked participants to consider whether or not the current tax system in Arizona and the United States is obsolete.
“The new demands and new ways of doing things are much more expensive. We see challenges in almost every city, county and state, and certainly, the country. Can we afford to continue doing what we’re doing now?” he asked.
Skoog criticized the current economic system, saying too many talented young people are denied the opportunity to use their abilities in productive careers.
Also speaking was Julianna Brutsche, director of development for AZ Culture, a Phoenix-based organization that emphasizes how cultural, artistic and aesthetics affect the economy in a positive manner. “We’re all beneficiaries of better lifestyles because of the benefits generated through support for the fine and performing arts, “she said.
William Tucker, general manager for commercial real estate for the Yavapai Prescott Tribe, said he believes citizens need to break away from the “What’s in it for me?” mentality and instead should focus upon what they can contribute to society.
He cited the economic contributions that Native American tribes in Arizona make through their activities. He particularly noted the jobs that tribes support through their various enterprises, especially casinos.
He also praised the recent emphasis that tribes have place upon encouraging younger tribal members to pursue educational paths, which lead to successful jobs.
Lori Poloni Staudinger and Blaise Caudill, who represented Arizona Deliberates, solicited and codified recommendations from participants about what they thought should be economic priorities.
The collective recommendations to improve the Quad Cities and Arizona economy include:
- Improving the education system. Schools are overwhelmed with responsibilities, including the challenges associated with families who are in crisis. Supporting schools should begin with adequate funding. Arizona consistently ranks at the bottom in funding K-12 educaiton. That needs to be changed.
- Education and business need to be better aligned so that educational institutions produce students who meet career standards and skill requirements for jobs in the area. Such an alignment will assure retention of good students who otherwise have to move elsewhere to find jobs. It also will attract industries that pay higher wages.
- Regional cooperation and collaboration, not competition, among communities and counties is critical to economic growth. Public-private partnerships need to be encouraged in order to leverage existing resources and develop new ones.
- Protection and prudent monitoring of natural resources, especially water, are important if population increases in Arizona continue. Solving future water needs will require new and creative technologies and conservation practices.
- Arizonans need to consider revamping the current revenue and expenditure systems in place. For instance, the current process of funding roads and highways thorough use of the gas tax is not in alignment with future infrastructure needs.
Arizona Town Hall President Tara Jackson said that she, along with the Arizona Deliberates representatives, would merge the recommendations from the Quad Cities forum into recommendations from other communities, such as Flagstaff and the Verde Valley, where comparable forums have been conducted.
The final report will be shared with civic, economic, governmental and elected legislative leaders throughout Arizona.”
The most recent statewide Arizona Town Hall was April 19-22 in Tucson. It focused on “Transportation and Arizona.”
“Water and Arizona” will be the topic of the statewide 107th Arizona Town Hall. It is scheduled Nov. 15-18 at the Hilton Mesa Hotel in Mesa. QCBN
By Ray Newton
Quad Cities Business News
For more information about any of the community outreach programs or the Arizona Town Halls, contact Arizona Town Hall, One East Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012, call 602-252-9600 or visit the website at www.aztownhall.org.
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