Pima County Economic Development released an updated version of its 2019-2021 Economic Development Plan in September to outline the county’s goals and plans for economic development, job and wage growth and increased disposable income.
“We’re confident this plan provides the necessary road map Pima County and our regional partners need to sustain and grow the economy, creating a rising tide that will lift all boats,” Pima County Economic Development Director John Moffatt wrote in a special feature for Inside Tucson Business.
According to Pima County Economic Development, workforce training is a key part of the updated plan.
“The Economic Development Plan addresses the challenges businesses in the region face in acquiring qualified workers in an age of full employment and an aging workforce,” Moffatt wrote. “One way for us to accomplish this is in working with our partners to increase the talent and number of workers and job seekers… completing industry-validated post-secondary training in science, technology, engineering and math-related fields and other demand occupations.”
According to Moffatt, Pima County Economic Development is working with partner organizations on efforts to create a strong K-12 pipeline, support technical education, help workers develop new marketable skills, assist veterans with post-service employment and support employment readiness for adults who face barriers to employment.
“Pima County has an important role to play in education and preparing the next Economic Development Plan [so that it] covers generations of employees by helping streamline and expand the STEM and technical education pipelines. We also can assist in developing new JTED programs based on local industry needs and projected opportunities for our students,” Mottaff said.
The economic development plan was updated to address challenges faced by businesses in Pima County, including these key goals:
• Identify ways to overcome limitations that affected success
• Diversify the economy
• Increase the number of available jobs
• Increase disposable income
• Identify multiple paths that will enhance workforce
• Develop new local development funding sources
• Create a regional identity
“For each of these fundamental goals we included a number of action items designed to provide real guidance and strategies to navigate the way,” Moffatt said. “Our goal is to find the best ways to facilitate economic growth and continued prosperity for the region. This plan enumerates all these goals in one document and charts a course for us to take to reach those goals.”
To see the full economic development plan, click here.
This story was originally published at Chamber Business News.
