Tucson is BAD FOR BUSINESS

Tucson businesses have spoken out about the business climate in Tucson and Pima County. And for many, it stinks. At least that was the consensus among 129 large employers (those with 100 employees or more) surveyed by the Tucson Metro Chamber between July 2012 and November 2013. The chamber released the results on Thursday. Respondent after respondent cited crumbling roads, underperforming schools and a poorly trained workforce as major problems of doing business in Southern Arizona. Other common complaints mentioned from business leaders: •We’re not Phoenix: Many respondents lamented that governments in Maricopa County get business right while their counterparts in Southern Arizona continue to flounder. •No creativity: While the city has put business incentives in place over the past year, many said they don’t go far enough or only apply to a select few, such as to businesses in the downtown district. •Over-regulated: Many said regulations are byzantine. One respondent said regulators at state and local levels “are great at providing citations and collecting revenue, but poor at facilitating solutions.” •Aversion to progress: Some said local officials acquiesce too quickly when neighbors object to any type of progress near their homes. One stated: “Neighborhoods wield far too much power and there is rarely thought about the greater good. If one person/group disagrees, progress is stopped.” •Dilapidated infrastructure and urban blight: One respondent said, “This town is dirty and ugly. I am ashamed to bring clients, customers and recruits from the airport to my business.”