FLORENCE, AZ – Earlier this month, regional economic development and governmental agencies formed a strategic alliance to market the Sun Corridor region in an effort to entice economic development from California to Arizona. The Sun Corridor is an area stretching from Nogales to the Flagstaff area. It is one of just 10 areas of the United States that will see much of the economic and employment growth in the next 35 years.

The Arizona Sun Corridor Partnership is comprised of Pinal County, the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation (GYEDC), Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities, Inc. (TREO) and the City of Flagstaff. These partners have pooled funds to hire a contractor to focus on business development efforts in California.

“We have considerable advantages when it comes to the cost of doing business. If you are a company in California that is looking to expand or relocate, we want you to know the many advantages the Sun Corridor offers,” Pinal County Board of Supervisors’ Chairman Pete Rios said. “As the economy recovers, it is essential for us to position this entire region to diversify Arizona’s employment base and attract new business.”

Sean Ahern has been hired to educate businesses about the benefits and opportunities available in the Arizona market. He will also take the lead in coordinating meetings between economic development leaders, corporate real estate executives and professional site selectors. Ahern, a California native and an Arizona resident for the past seven years, emphasized his personal experiences with both markets.

“Arizona’s close proximity to the California market is extremely advantageous to companies interested in entering or expanding in the southwest,” Ahern said. “California is one of Arizona’s natural partners in trade and commerce and I look forward to working to promote that instinctive business exchange.”

“Participating in the Arizona Sun Corridor Partnership will enhance our ability to attract living-wage jobs and technology employment,” Supervisor Bryan Martyn said. “I’ve been working with aerospace and technology companies to help position Pinal County for growth in the high-tech defense and national security arenas.”

The Arizona Sun Corridor Partnership intends to work in conjunction with California business owners so they can continue offering their products or services to the southwest market with significantly lower operating costs.

“Arizona, and particularly the Sun Corridor region, offers a great place to launch or expand a business, particularly companies engaged in international trade and commerce,” Supervisor David Snider said. “We have a major rail corridor that recently doubled its capacity, access to multiple major airports and air freight operations and we are positioned right in the CANAMEX corridor. These are significant assets that this partnership can help us market.”

For more information about the Sun Corridor partners, please visit the following Web sites: Greater Phoenix Economic Council www.gpec.org Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities, Inc. www.treoaz.org Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation www.greateryuma.org Pinal County www.pinalcountyaz.gov City of Flagstaff www.cityofinnovation.com

Media Contacts for Arizona Sun Corridor Partnership affiliates: Danny O’Connor (GPEC) 602-262-8638 Laura Shaw (TREO) 520-243-1940 Julie Engel (GYEDC) 928-782-7774 ext. 12 Stacey Button (City of Flagstaff) 928-779-7613