Greater Phoenix: Greater Opportunity
TOP 20
CITIES IN THE COUNTRY
FOR START-UPS
Median Age
Almost three years lower
than U.S. average
EXPAND WITH US.
Greater Phoenix
DIRTT Environmental
Solutions
CFO Scott Jenkins
The Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) is the region’s premier economic development
organization. With the support of Maricopa County, 20 member communities and more than
150 private-sector investors, GPEC works cooperatively with our partners to create an ideal
business climate for your company to compete and thrive in today’s global economy.
GPEC provides companies with valuable tools, expert support and complimentary site-selection
services to assist in the expansion or relocation process. We will also help foster partnerships with
key leaders and match your company with the necessary resources to ensure your success
in the market.
Key INDUSTRIES
Renewable
Energy
Member Communities
Biomedical/
Personalized
Medicine
Advanced
Business
Services
Manufacturing
& Logistics
Mission
Critical
Aerospace
& Aviation
MARICOPA COUNTY
CHANDLER
GOODYEAR
QUEEN CREEK
APACHE JUNCTION
FOUNTAIN HILLS
MARICOPA
SCOTTSDALE
AVONDALE
Gila Bend
MESA
SURPRISE
BUCKEYE
GILBERT
PHOENIX
TEMPE
casa grande
GLENDALE
PEORIA
TOLLESON
Emerging
Tech
WICKENBURG
Greater People
Maricopa County is home to
nearly four million residents –
making it the fourth largest
county in the United States.
The vibrant growth of the Greater
Phoenix metropolitan area has
outpaced U.S. population growth for
the past 21 years and is one of only
10 U.S. markets expected to see most
of the nation’s growth over the next
40 years.
Greater Living
Phoenix-area residents enjoy more
than 300 days of sunshine each year
at an affordable cost of living and high quality of life. In 2010, the median family household income in Maricopa County
was $54,700 with a median home value of approximately $147,500.
Arizona is home to five professional
sports teams
Greater Phoenix is also the sixth
youngest metropolitan region in the
nation. The region’s median age of
34.7 is younger than the Denver, Los
Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco and
Seattle areas. Arizona’s population
represents a broad base of cultural
backgrounds with approximately 110
different languages spoken in the
Greater Phoenix community.
34.7
Phoenix
MLB Cactus League Spring Training. In January, nearly half a million spectators attend the Waste Management Phoenix
Open to watch members of the PGA tour golf at the Tournament Players Club in Scottsdale.
Las Vegas
35.5
Los Angeles
35.1
The region also boasts one of the nation’s
most renowned classic car events.
Seattle
36.8
Denver
25
Every year, more
35.7
30
35
Greater phoenix Total Population
In addition to premier lifestyle events,
residents in Greater Phoenix enjoy yearround access to
outdoor hiking trails, bike routes, rock-climbing and water recreation
activities. Residents can choose to explore the local area or visit popular Arizona destinations like Grand Canyon National
Greater Phoenix is located within a fivehour drive of the Pacific Ocean
with nearby beaches in
California and Mexico. In the winter, residents can escape to the mountains and ski at one of Arizona’s two major ski
resorts less than 250 miles north of Phoenix city limits.
6m
5m
4m
NM
3,251,876
2m
1m
2000
2010
of the state’s economy.
TX
MEXICO
Greater Connectivity
40
Between 2000 AND
2010, U.S. population
increased 9.7 percent.
In that same period,
population in Greater
Phoenix increased 29
percent, nearly three
times the national rate.
4,192,887
3m
0
Park or the Painted Desert in Sedona within a few hours.
6,987,463
7m
75
%
ARIZONA
than 200,000 spectators gather at Westworld in Scottsdale to view more than 1,000 collector and special interest
automobiles at the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction.
represents approximately
CO
As one of the fastest growing regions in the nation, Greater Phoenix
represents approximately 75 percent of the state’s economy. Arizona’s
favorable business climate and close proximity to major markets creates an
advantageous operating environment for companies looking to expand or
relocate to the region.
38.5
San Francisco
CA
Greater Phoenix
UT
Arizona is centrally located in the heart of the American Southwest. Situated
just north of Mexico, the United States’ third largest trading partner, Greater
Phoenix maintains a competitive geographic advantage that is designed to
maximize distribution and travel efficiency. The region is also conveniently
located between the nation’s first and second largest economies – California
and Texas – granting Arizona businesses unparalleled access to major
markets and a broad consumer base.
MEDIAN AGE DISTRIBUTION
, more than 400 golf courses, NASCAR at Phoenix International Raceway and
NV
2030
By 2030, the population
in Greater Phoenix will
likely reach 6.9 million.
GREATER RESOURCES
Greater Industry
Greater Phoenix’s economy provides fastgrowth opportunities for your company in a
competitive, business-oriented environment.
The market boasts ample development
and reliable infrastructure in a number of
key areas, strategically positioning Greater
Phoenix to embrace growth in any of its
concentrated industries:
Renewable Energy
Greater CULTURE
With the third largest labor pool in the West, Greater Phoenix businesses
have access to a broad and talented workforce. In 2010, the total labor force
reached two million people and is now projected to increase 85 percent over
the next two decades compared to a national
growth average of only 20 percent.
More than 60 percent of the population has at
least some college education and the state’s
educational assets provide a continuous pipeline
of skilled employees. In 2011, CNBC ranked
Arizona’s workforce higher than any other
state in terms of training, quality and availability
of workers while maintaining one of the lowest
costs for labor in the nation.
Biomedical/Personalized Medicine
Advanced Business Services
Manufacturing and Logistics
Mission Critical
Greater Access
Aerospace & Aviation
Emerging Tech
Greater Phoenix has also become a leader
in emerging technology and innovation.
Top entrepreneurship programs at the state’s
major universities and a favorable business
climate for startup companies contribute to
Arizona’s consistently favorable rankings.
Arizona State University ranks second
in global student entrepreneurs and the
University of Arizona ranks seventh in the
nation for its McGuire Entrepreneurship
program. Similar programs, like ASU’s
Technopolis, provide entrepreneurial
coaching to help individuals and businesses
succeed in the innovation and emerging
technology environment.
The modern and dependable infrastructure of Greater Phoenix offers easy and
reliable access to the market and your company’s consumer base. Sky Harbor
International Airport, the one of the top 10 busiest airport in the nation,
serves more than 38 million passengers annually and provides direct flights
to hundreds of international and domestic locations. The region is also home
to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, 10 additional reliever airports, US Airways
headquarters and a Southwest aviation hub.
In addition to air travel options, Greater Phoenix also boasts a number of
sophisticated freeway, rail and Light Rail systems that enhance the region’s
ability to move efficiently both in and out of the market. Two major
interstates, five freeways, and the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa
Fe rail terminals provide comprehensive means for transportation and distribution
methods to connect Greater Phoenix with the rest of the United States.
Phoenix-area service providers ensure that the region has consistent and reliable
access to important business resources like water and natural gas. J.D. Power
and Associates recognized the region’s two primary electric utilities companies,
Arizona Public Service and Salt River Project, as reliable energy providers in the
Southwest.
CA
RENO
NV
UT
CO
1-DAY TRUCK
DEL IVERY
UT
LAS VEGAS
AZ
F rom
DENVER
SALT LAKE
CITY
CA
OK
P hoenixNM
3 HOUR
2 HOUR
LOS ANGLES
SAN
DIEGO
4 HOUR
YUMA
FLAGSTAFF
CO
PUEBLO
SANTE FE
AZ
ALBUQUERQUE
PHOENIX
AMARILLO
OK
OKLAHOMA CITY
NM
TUCSON
LUBBOCK
FORT WORTH
TX
1 HOUR
DALLAS
EL PASO
NOGALES
TX
SANTA ANA
SAN ANTONIO
HOUSTON
CHIHUAHUA
MEXICO
The area’s diverse arts scene is
prominently featured at galleries and
museums throughout the Valley such
as the esteemed Phoenix Art Musuem,
featuring rotating international exhibits
alongside 18,000 works of art from
around the world. Frequent community
events also encourage resident
participation in the arts. There are more
than 100 galleries in Scottsdale where
residents can explore the arts district
during weekly ArtWalks or monthly
opportunities to take free, self-guided
art tours through downtown Phoenix at
ArtLink’s First Friday events.
The region also offers a number of
theaters and live arts venues that
showcase award-winning plays and
renowned musical performances at
places like the historic Orpheum
Theater in Phoenix, Mesa Arts Center
in Mesa and Gammage Auditorium in
Tempe. The venues frequently showcase
performances from Ballet Arizona, the
Phoenix Symphony and Broadway Across
America.
Greater FUN
Alongside the region’s dynamic economy, Greater Phoenix also boasts a
decadent dining scene and vibrant nightlife. The area offers thousands of
dining options to choose from including 18 establishments in the Greater
Phoenix area with a four or five Diamond rating from AAA Arizona. If you are in
the mood for pizza, downtown Phoenix’s Pizzeria Bianco has received national
recognition from publications like Bon Appétit, New York Times and Vogue,
and earned celebrity status from Rachel Ray, Martha Stewart and Oprah.
Greater Phoenix houses a number of local breweries and wine bars to grab a
drink and appetizers in the evening before heading out to a nearby live music
or comedy event. Arizona is also home to more than a dozen local wineries
where residents and visitors can indulge in wine tours and wine tasting
experiences. Other casual entertainment attractions include the Scottsdale
Culinary Festival, Glendale Chocolate Festival or one of Tempe Beach Park’s
100 days of events held at various times throughout the year.
Old town Scottsdale is home to some of the region’s most vibrant nightlife
with a number of late-night restaurants, and more than 80 bars, lounges
and nightclubs to explore. In 2011, two of Scottsdale’s most popular clubs,
Axis Radius and Shade at the W Hotel, ranked favorably among the top 100
nightclubs in the nation. Other popular nightlife includes live music, an
independent film bar, various patio bars, western bars and saloons, lounges,
pubs, sports bars and everything in between across 20, side-by-side cities.
OGDEN
NV
Arizona is home to more than 40
National Historic Landmarks including
two attractions in Maricopa County at the
Pueblo Grande Ruin and Irrigation sites,
and Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home
at Talesin West. The region’s distinct
cultural scene features some of Arizona’s
most recognizable history from Native
American traditions to the pioneer days
of the Old West.
MEXICO
LAREDO
LOS MOCHE
TORREON
MAZATLAN
CIUDAD VICTORIA
Greater Advantage
Greater Knowledge
Companies in Arizona enjoy the benefits
of low business costs, minimal regulation
and advantageous operating environment.
Greater Phoenix offers a dynamic and
competitive regional economy with
business costs nearly 30 percent lower
than neighboring California. The state
also boasts a minimalist regulatory
approach, no corporate franchise tax and
is constitutionally recognized as a Rightto-Work state.
Greater Phoenix’s talented workforce stems from a continuous pipeline of
professionals and entrepreneurs from various institutions including Arizona
State University, Thunderbird School of Global Management, Maricopa
Community Colleges, University of Phoenix and the University of Arizona.
In addition to the overall pro-business
climate of the state, Greater Phoenix
maintains one of the lowest total payroll
costs of all major metropolitan regions
due to low rates of unionization, reduced
workers compensation benefits and
minimal requirements for unemployment
insurance coverage. Businesses have
also witnessed consistent decreases in
average employer and individual tax rates
over the last 10 years.
Arizona State University, the nation’s largest university, is the number one
producer of bachelor’s degrees in the United States. ASU offers students more
than 250 undergraduate degree programs across four campuses including
its world-ranked life and social sciences departments and top-tier graduate
programs in nursing, business, education, engineering and law.
The region is also home to one of the nation’s largest providers of higher
education at the Maricopa Community Colleges – which includes 10 colleges,
two skill centers and more than 1,000 occupational programs. The Maricopa
Community Colleges serve more than 270,000 students annually and are
recognized as a statewide leader in job training and regional workforce
development.
In addition, Arizona is home to more than 35 nationally ranked high schools –
25 of which are located in the Greater Phoenix region. Maricopa County offers
a continuously evolving public education system with more than 325 high
schools, 180 middle schools
and nearly 700 elementary schools
for parents and students
to choose from. The region also
boasts a strong system of
highly ranked charter schools,
which account for nearly 10
percent of the nation’s top-rated
public schools.
Other benefits include:
• No income tax on dividends from
out-of-state subsidiaries
• No worldwide unitary tax
• Aggressive and accelerated
depreciation schedules
• R&D Tax Credit Program
• Foreign Trade Zone Program
• Job Training Program
• Arizona Competitiveness Package
(established in 2011)
- $9K corporate income tax
credits per job
- Starting in 2014, corporate tax
rate will steadily decrease to 4.9
percent
- Starting in 2014, Sales Factor
ramps up to 100 percent
- Reduces commercial property
taxes by 10 percent
2 N. Central Ave., Suite 2500, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phone: 602.256.7700 | Fax: 602.256.7744 | www.gpec.org