A Note from the Vice President of Business Advocacy

As I write this, I'm nearing my two-month mark on the job as Vice President of Business Advocacy, where I
support the great work of our Business Advocacy, Strategic Communications, and Workforce Advocacy teams based on our CEO, Michael Guymon's restructuring. 

The Old Pueblo is facing new, big-city challenges, and it requires the Chamber to be both a champion of what is great about Tucson and a changemaker—pushing back (firmly but respectfully) when our community is not heading in a direction where business thrives and our community prospers, and pushing forward towards our vision of what an economically viable community looks like (boldly and with impact).

(If you haven't seen Michael and me discuss this live for a few minutes, check out the conversation here!)

Through our various discussions with our members, we've learned that effective advocacy is as much about the how as it is the what.

What we advocate for, and the issues we commit to spending time on, is governed by the work of our staff and Public Policy Council, which annually recommends a Public Policy Guide to our Board of Directors. If you haven't seen it yet, click here to read it.

But in order to be successful on the what, we need to align all our work strategically across the organization and become a great storyteller of our vision for Tucson's best future. And in that same breath, here are some highlights from the last two months: 

• We hired Melissa Rosciano as our new Communications and Marketing Manager, specifically to manage our strategic communications through the lens of public policy. She has already developed methods to more effectively storytell, educate, and activate our members to assist our advocacy efforts.
• We are relaunching our weekly radio show this fall, in a way that will be a platform for the Chamber to talk about the issues shaping Tucson's future and the most effective path forward.
• We have anchored our Workforce Advocacy work with an emphasis on Tucson's New Economy strengths, including aerospace/defense and space, mining, and health/biosciences. From that, we will be working with industry partners through the rest of the year to assess what a healthy and skilled workforce of the present and future needs to be for those industries, any educational gaps that need to be closed, and ensuring that we increase access and reduce barriers to that pipeline so all our community can participate in educational and employment opportunities. Together, this will all define our Chamber public policy around workforce development.
• Working with leadership of our Tucson Restaurant Advisory Council and the Coalition Against Retail Theft, we are shifting those into policy working groups that will recommend and work on key policy changes that will improve the environment for our businesses in Tucson.
• We have tasked our Public Policy Council with taking the policy work above and translating it into our local and state legislative agenda later this year for 2024. This will integrate and streamline all our policy work across the entire organization for powerful impact.

With this infrastructure and foundation, your Tucson Chamber is bolstering our position as a bolder champion and changemaker on the issues that matter most to our businesses and to our community. Stay tuned and please visit our website at tucsonchamber.org to learn more about our Councils, Committees, events and more ways you can get involved! We exist to work together to be your voice in the Tucson region. 

Sincerely,
 

 



Zach Yentzer, Vice President of Business Advocacy

 Chamber's CART Making a Difference in the Fight Against Retail Theft

The Tucson Metro Chamber's Coalition Against Retail Theft (CART) is making a real difference in the fight against retail theft. A few months ago, the Chamber’s CART secured a $100,000 ARPA fund allocation from the City of Tucson Councilmember Nikki Lee and the Ward 4 Office to help businesses affected by crime. 

These funds are being used to make security improvements at businesses, such as installing new security cameras, lighting, and fencing. CART is also working to educate businesses about how to prevent retail theft and how to respond to it when it happens.

The Chamber is proud to support CART's work to make Tucson a safer place for businesses and residents.

One example of a business that has benefited from CART's work is Lieder Digital. Lieder Digital is a local small business located at 63 E Pennington St, specializing in web design, digital marketing, and consulting. They received a CART grant to install new security lighting at the entrance to their property.

Lieder Digital told us, "Our building tenants can now leave at night without being enshrouded in darkness, and the added light will hopefully deter people from loitering."

If you are a business owner, you can learn more about how to get involved with the CART. If you are a resident, you can help by being aware of your surroundings and reporting any suspicious activity to law enforcement using TPD’s online reporting online reporting tool.

            Lieder Digital Before                                      Lieder Digital After

  The Chamber Joins Forces to Launch Public Awareness Campaign to Address Fentanyl Crisis

The Tucson Metro Chamber has joined forces with the Tucson Police Department, Pima County Health Department, and CODAC to launch a public awareness campaign focused on addressing the fentanyl epidemic. 

The campaign features posters with the message "One Pill Can Kill" that are being displayed in bus shelters around the Oracle and Grant Area. The posters also feature QR codes that lead to a Counter Narcotics Alliance resource page which includes resources in both Spanish and English, along with essential treatment and support resources for individuals affected by fentanyl use.

If you or someone you know is struggling with fentanyl addiction, please reach out for help. There are resources available to you.

The Chamber is committed to making Tucson a safe and healthy community for everyone. This campaign is one way that we are working to address the fentanyl crisis and save lives.

Together, we are making tangible changes and driving progress in our community. Learn more about the CART.

The Tucson Metro Chamber encourages you to VOTE YES on Proposition 496

Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) is seeking voter approval for a $480 million bond package that would fund a variety of projects to improve school infrastructure, security, transportation, and technology. Set for the November 7th ballot, this bond proposal underwent a comprehensive review by the Chamber's Public Policy Council which is a group of business leaders who are committed to advocating for policies that support economic growth and prosperity in our community.

Upon careful consideration, the Council's endorsement of the bond initiative was subsequently submitted to the Chamber's board for their approval of the Chamber's support for TUSD's bond campaign. The Chamber’s Board of Directors has officially adopted the recommendations in support of the passage of Proposition 496.

The bond package would address state funding gaps, district needs, and a lack of successful bonds since 2004. Estimated tax impacts over 24 years for various property types, assessed by the County Assessor, are as follows: 

• Commercial property valued at $1,000,000: $1,112.50 per year, $26,700.00 total cost.
• Owner-occupied residence valued at $250,000: $184.63 per year, $4,431.12 total cost.
• Agricultural and vacant property valued at $100,000: $110.78 per year, $2,658.72 total cost.

These amounts may decrease as the district grows. The dollars will be allocated as follows:

• $31.2 million on transportation for students/support vehicles
• $43 million in classroom/learning space renovations
• $66.4 million in technology updates
• $75.5 million in health, safety, and security upgrades  
• $263.9 million in facility upgrades

The Public Policy Council had the pleasure of hearing directly from TUSD Superintendent, Dr. Gabriel Trujillo, along with Governing Board Members Natalie Luna Rose and Dr. Ravi Shah. It is evident that this governing board is committed to ensuring that TUSD students have access to a secure, contemporary, and well-equipped learning environment.

The Chamber's Business Advocacy Team remains committed to keeping you informed as these important initiatives progress. Join us in supporting Prop 496 on November 7th. Your vote matters!

To take part in a discussion on Education Funding on the Ballot in Pima County, attend our upcoming Issues With a Twist event.  

Learn more about the bond package, please see the 2023 TUSD Bond Proposal.

Join the Chamber in Supporting the Incorporation of Vail and Economic Growth in our Region

The Vail community is known for its distinctive blend of charms, but also a potential that satisfies statutory requirements for incorporation. The Greater Vail Area Chamber of Commerce's President, Brad Anderson, demonstrated to the Chamber's Public Policy Council in August that the advantages of incorporation are multifaceted. Incorporation represents the opportunity for economic growth, enhanced local infrastructure, and improved services for Vail residents. 

Following a thorough review and presentation to the Chamber's Public Policy Council, a recommendation was made to the board, which was approved. The Chamber now invites its member businesses to unite with us in our endeavor to infuse greater economic vitality into the region by supporting Prop 402.

The establishment of the new Town of Vail is legally sound, financially viable, and sustainable. Supporting incorporation means local control, economic growth, better infrastructure, and collaboration within our business network. Join us in shaping Vail's future. 

Learn more about incorporation HERE.

Senator Sinema Meets with Tucson Leaders to Discuss Critical Issues Facing the Region

The Chamber hosted a roundtable discussion at Charro Steak in Downtown Tucson, convening industry and community leaders from housing, health, critical minerals, and small businesses for a constructive dialogue with Senator Kyrsten Sinema.

The roundtable included representatives from South 32, Hexagon, a member of the Chamber's executive board and the Rio Nuevo Executive Committee, D2 Dispensaries, Leider Digital, TMC Health, City of Tucson, Diamond Ventures, the YWCA, Family Housing Resources, along with Michael Guymon, President & CEO of the Tucson Metro Chamber.

This event provided a valuable platform for business and community leaders to exchange thoughts and ideas on pressing community issues with the Senator, focusing on the importance of critical minerals, mining and processing in Southern Arizona, affordable housing and development, and addressing challenges related to the fentanyl epidemic, crime, and unhoused affecting regional commerce. Read more here.

Changes to Pima County Development Services Streamlines Permit Process 

Pima County Development Services (DSD) is upgrading its permit application process. Starting in September, customers can use the Accela Citizen Access Permitting software to setup accounts and efficiently track, upload, and initiate permits. This change aligns with neighboring jurisdictions like Oro Valley, Tucson, and Marana. Benefits include simplified document management, quicker access to approved plans, and improved tracking. The upgrade also streamlines DSD staff's workflow, saving time and enhancing efficiency. Pima County has historically made great advancements in their permitting process and have consistently kept permit turnaround times low. The Chamber appreciates their partnership with the business community.  For assistance during this transition, reach out to the Chamber's Business Advocacy Team who will help connect you to support at Pima County DSD.

Zach Yentzer, Vice President of Business Advocacy: zyentzer@tucsonchamber.org                                                      

Stephanie Spencer, Business Advocacy Specialist: sspencer@tucsonchamber.org
                                            

Chamber Advocacy Win: Maricopa Judge Strikes Down Unjust Water Rates in Tucson

Following a lawsuit filed by the Pima County Board of Supervisors, asserting the rates were arbitrary and unequal. On September 11, a Maricopa County Court Judge ruled against Tucson's higher water rates for unincorporated Pima County water users, citing the need for a cost study. Judge Randall H. Warner granted the County's motion for summary judgement, deeming Tucson's rates unreasonable and lacking cost-based justification. The City of Tucson’s water company, Tucson Water, had raised rates in December 2021, prompting an opposition effort by the Chamber’s Business Advocacy team and CEO, Michael Guymon. The city has not announced compliance plans or the effect on past and future water bills. The Chamber's business advocacy team will continue to monitor this situation closely, so stay tuned for updates.

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