Economic Development Strategic Plan

In spring 1997, the Queen Creek Mayor and Council embarked on an aggressive effort to implement key industry segments and land uses identified in the General Plan. The Council appointed an Economic Development Commission to assist in creating a strategic plan and the Queen Creek Strategic Plan for Economic Development was adopted in January 2001.

To help provide strategy and perspective during a critical time in Queen Creek’s growth an updated series of strategies and action items needed to be developed and implemented. To assist in this revision, the Economic Development Commission and Stakeholder group was appointed by Town Council in September 2006.

In September 2006 the Town Council also approved the proposed team approach facilitated by Salt River Project (Economic Development Department) for the revision to the plan. The Commission and Stakeholder group met monthly following a detailed work program.

The work program identified area issues, concerns and opportunities. Presentations on key issues, programs and ideas that impact Queen Creek and economic development were provided at various meetings. The Commission also reviewed demographic and statistical reports, developed an updated Economic Development Element for the General Plan, and conducted a detailed Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (S.W.O.T.) assessment, which helped shape the revised plan. A Town Council work study presentation was provided on June 20, 2007 to update Council Members on the focus of the plan, as well as providing an opportunity for staff to address any comments or concerns. The plan was adopted at the Oct. 17, 2007 Town Council meeting.

• Queen Creek Economic Development Strategic Plan (adopted 10/17/07)

The Economic Development Strategic Plan addresses the need for Queen Creek to focus its marketing and recruitment efforts on specific and targeted industries to be more effective and efficient. Several clusters have emerged as an opportunity for Queen Creek:

1. Aerospace and Aviation
2. Health and Wellness Industry
3. Arts, Culture and Experience
4. Specialty, Lifestyle retail
5. Advanced Financial/Business Services
6. Education

Although the revised plan maintains the key components of the Strategic Plan adopted in 2001; a new section focused on eight key areas that tie directly to the Corporate Strategic Plan has been included. The Key Result Areas that were identified through the process need to be addressed simultaneously to ensure a well rounded approach to enhancing the community of Queen Creek. These include:

1. Economic Development – Strengthen and diversify Queen Creek’s economy.
2. Labor Force and Education – Partner with the community schools, Chandler-Gilbert Community College and Arizona State University at the Polytechnic campus to ensure that education supports the future of the community at large, residents and the development needs of business.
3. Transportation – Work to attract business along major (planned) economic/transportation corridors. Capitalize on pass-through traffic from Pinal County.
4. Real Estate Resources – Partner with land owners and developers to develop an inventory of improved sties and existing “speculative buildings” for employment uses.
5. Utilities and Infrastructure – Consider installing or advancing infrastructure by the Town in key employment areas.
6. Community Vision/Identity – The Town of Queen Creek strives to honor our past, manage our present and engage our future to create a quality, unique place for family and business.
7. Financial Resources – Increase the Town’s sales tax base. Ensure the Town’s development costs for the private sector remain competitive.
8. Business Climate – Proactively work to promote the Town as a business friendly community. Work with the Community Development Department to establish consistent and competitive review time frames and fees that are necessary and competitive to our neighboring communities.

The Economic Development Strategic Plan also includes a revised Economic Development Investment Program. This program is intended to guide Town Staff and Town Council decision making when evaluating the expenditure of public funds for eligible development projects. Eligible projects will need to meet one of more of the established criteria and be subject to a thorough financial analysis to be considered for investment by the Town. The Investment Program also provides authorization to the Town Manager to waive fees or expend Town funds for project assistance. The Investment Program is intended to keep Queen Creek competitive with local jurisdictions and to streamline the development process; which is a critical factor is corporate site selection decision making.

The Economic Development Strategic Plan is intended to guide economic development decisions and policies in Queen Creek and provide direction to staff to focus its marketing and recruitment efforts on specific and targeted industries. The Plan is a tool to balance the fiscal approach to land planning to ensure that the municipal budget is always balanced and meets the needs of the community. The Key Result Areas will focus on the broader goals of the community and work towards the creation of higher paying jobs, new employment creation and an excellent quality of life by building on the community assets already in place today.

The Economic Development Commission meets at 7:30 a.m. the fourth Wednesday in January, March, May, July, September and November.

INCUBATOR FEASIBILITY STUDY

The Incubator Feasibility Study will be discussed at the Economic Development Commission meeting on August 25.

SWOT ANALYSIS INFORMATION

In preparation for our SWOT analysis on Nov. 10, the following presentations are available for your review.

For more information, please contact Doreen Cott at 480-358-3522.