Strategic plan for economic & community development: a focused future update

              Strategic Plan for Economic & Community Development: A Focused Future
Arizona City March 2002 27 Pages General Comments:   On-going debate on whether to become incorporated. If Arizona City is not incorporated, that may hinder new business development Critical Issues:   Lack of image   Bedroom community   Slightly apathetic community   Lack of coordination between organizations   economic development efforts within the city falls to the Chamber of Commerce and the Sunland Visitor Center Action Plan: Local Education System   Initiate a plan with the School District for after school, adult classes, and recreation uses   Encourage teachers and younger families to volunteer Beautification Efforts   Be proactive and involved in the County Comprehensive Plan update   Use ordinances and regulations to maintain neat construction sites, homes, and other properties   Create a community clean-up day   Develop a "community slogan" to promote community Revenues and Intergovernmental Relations   Quantify economic impacts of projects to ensure city gets benefit from increased revenue   Become aware and knowledgeable about the County Comprehensive Planning process underway   Invite Casa Grande, Eloy, and Collidge planning staff to meet and discuss community activities and development   Explore forming a Community Development Corporation   Update and inform media about all activities Community Activities   Develop a marketing plan to advertise and promote community activities   Develop a regional activity calendar so that community events are not in competition with each other   Work to develop more youth activities   Develop pop-up ads on Chamber, county, and library websites Social/Other Services/Community Amenities   Attract additional child and senior care providers   Develop a Town Square concept, creating a central focal point in the community   Develop a plan for new parks, including funding options Business Development   Work with the Greater Casa Grande Valley Economic Development Foundation to determine labor force needs of target prospects   Use the Central Arizona College SBDC to develop to develop a survey ascertaining local labor skills, needs, and discover if there is a hidden labor force in the community   Tie labor force discovery to future target marketing   Explore development of local internship and training programs Community Marketing   Work with Arizona Department of Commerce to revise community profile   Alert Arizona Department of Commerce Business Development Department of possibilities of marketing Arizona City

   

Continue to work with Pinal Ways and the Case Grande Dispatch to publicize the community and make the region more aware of Arizona City Develop and maintain a website to promote the community to potential visitors, residents, and business investors

Infrastructure Development   Community and publicize transportation options   Hold meetings with county, utilities, and districts to discuss and coordinate infrastructure needs and development plans   Develop and proactively submit a list of prioritized infrastructure improvements to the County   Invite a Qwest representative to hear concerns about improving services and facilities   Contact land owners of potential industrial/business park parcels and reestablish relationships. Share with owner planning efforts and potential benefits   Encourage county and Casa Grande to open Treckell Road to Battaglia   Encourage county to pursue ADOT transportation plan an open 1-10 Battaglia ramp Image Enhancement   Improve entry signage to the community at Battaglia and Sunland Gin Roads. Work with APS using power poles for signs   Develop and finance a plan to distribute wildflower seeds to residents to promote Arizona City as the Community of Wildflowers Business Recruitment/Enhancement   Develop a business retention and expansion program that includes a business visitation program   Develop a business recruitment webpage   Develop a gap analysis identifying goods, infrastructure, and services not available and provide this information to the Chamber and Visitor Center   Encourage entrepreneurial atmosphere   Create a business response team and include members from the real estate community, public safety, utilities, local leadership organization, and other individuals