After working with businesses and residents, Pima County Supervisor District 4 candidate John Backer announced the development of his Economic Development Plan. According to Backer his plan “recognizes that Pima County has struggled to attract new businesses and keep existing businesses for several years.”
Backer says the plan offers a framework to make the changes necessary to improve the current situation.
Backer, a long time resident of Pima County and a first time District 4 candidate for the Pima County Board of Supervisors, believes that there are “several factors which have resulted in forming the perception of Pima County as a business unfriendly area.”
Backer argues that economic development in Pima County is essential for everyone and everyone, who is interested, must be included in the discussion and planning for future growth.
He is calling for several actions. In his statement released on Thursday, Backer wrote:
We must:
- Sell county owned land that belongs in the private sector
- Review/streamline regulatory and licensing requirements
- Adjust user impact fees
- Incentivize county employees
- Show real progress in improving our roads and medians
- Review current legal actions
- Supervisors become visible reminders of business success
- Learn what is working in other areas
“We can no longer have a Board of Supervisors that determines the winners and losers. Every stakeholder must have a seat at the table. Our current situation is unsustainable. It can change with new leadership,” stated Backer.
Backer is asking the public to schedule a time for an in person meeting or view a video walkthrough of the plan framework at http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=N2mgE&m=3eaHr5PHvS0Yiph&b=W12aDfCRSVws0WwOwv0fTg.