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New Beginning
New model for Arizona’s economic development
puts science and technology in the spotlight
efreshing new promise and
focus for Arizona’s science
and technology industries
and their entrepreneurs
are evident in the decision
to create a new model for economic
advancement in the state.
Gov. Jan Brewer’s new “Authority,”
which will be named later, will replace
the current Arizona Department
of Commerce and be governed by a
private-sector 15-member board that
the governor chairs. The move positions
the state to more aggressively focus on
base industries and those already in the
state as it becomes more nimble in its
approach to emerging technologies, such
as cloud computing. In turn, Arizona
should be more competitive to attract
companies looking to relocate and
expand in Arizona.
Simply put, it’s about a focus on quality
jobs. “In my State of the State address
in January, I promised as long as I am
governor, the sign out front will always
read ‘Arizona is Open for Business,’” says
r
Brewer. “This is a comprehensive effort
that provides a 21st Century approach to
advance Arizona’s economy. We will be
more aggressive in attracting new industry
and jobs to this state, and we will be
more focused on helping great Arizona
companies grow and expand.”
The new model is a result of her
collaboration with top Arizona CEOs
who for the first quarter of 2010 studied
the Department of Commerce, the state’s
overall approach to economic development,
and successful economic development
approaches around the globe.
Members of the Governor’s Commerce
Advisory Council are Jerry Colangelo,
partner of JDM Partners and chairman of
USA Basketball; Paul Bonavia, chairman,
president and CEO of UniSource Energy
Corp.; Don Brandt, chairman, president
and CEO of Pinnacle West Capital Corp.,
Bob Campbell, president of W.L. Gore
and Associates; Don Cardon, director of
the Arizona Department of Commerce;
Brad Casper, CEO of Dial Corp./Henkel;
Linda Hunt, President/CEO of St. Joseph’s
Hospital and Medical Center; and Roy
Vallee, chairman and CEO of Avnet.
