2000 Annual Report Executive Summary
AZ Border Region EC
The City of Douglas has focused on performing the role of a catalyst. The City’s investment in infrastructure, services, technology and recreational amenities invites local and outside investors to join in a partnership that encourages and supports growth. The partnership takes in the local school district, other government entities at all levels, the private sector and non-profit organizations. At the start of the new millennium Douglas witnessed the following highlights: the construction of a $6 million market-rate multifamily housing development, the attraction of a national hotel franchise from the sale of City land as an incentive, the creation of employment resulting in a historic low in unemployment (8.3%), the $6 million highway realignment that facilitates trade with Mexico and aesthetically creates a major entrance to Douglas for visitors, the award of a $1.7 million 21st Century Learning Grant, and the selection of Douglas as the pilot community for the Governor’s Partnership for the New Economy. The City of Douglas has engaged the community in a major reinvestment program. Mayor and Council have invested substantially in creating a foundation that has led to economic growth and will foster future growth.
The City of Nogales, Arizona’s image is one of a progressive and positive community. The progress achieved by Nogales can be attributed to a large degree to be the result of its designation as an Enterprise Community. Nogales, as part of the Arizona Border Region Enterprise Community Program (AZBREC), has solicited and obtained funding for various community impacting improvement projects that have aided in solidifying the upward mobility of the community. As previously reported, Nogales has engaged in a collaborative, partnering effort that has enabled the community to come together to address its assessed needs in a positive manner. The successes achieved in bringing projects to fruition demonstrate the effectiveness of the City of Nogales in capturing opportunities placed at its doorstep. The promise to continue on this course is an enterprise community guarantee.
The San Luis-Gadsden area continues to experience a rapid growth rate, which contributes to the need for infrastructure, commercial, and industrial development to increase the economic base of the city. The San Luis-Gadsden area accomplished many goals with the alliances and partnerships with federal, state, and private agencies. The investment of financial and technical assistance by the state and federal agencies contributed immensely to the community needs and developed a communication between city and the agencies. The development of infrastructure is an example of the assistance provided by the agencies. The necessity for infrastructure is a priority for the community in order sustains the development of housing and commercial areas.
The level of participation of the community increased with the development of the general plan and the focus future strategic plan. This foundation will assist the city in resolving the land lock problem and allow commercial and industrial growth, which in turn will contribute by decreasing the high unemployment rate of the area. This tool will enable the city to prioritize the needs of the community. The plans for the future growth will require the city to utilize the best practices made by the community and resolved the obstacles not anticipated in the foundations to be established.
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