City/County business of construction survey… Pima County and the City of Tucson are in the process of planning Business of Construction courses that will be conducted in the spring of 2007. If this sounds interesting, we would appreciate your feedback. Please take the time to fill out a survey regarding these proposed courses. Please either fill out the survey online at https://secure.pima.gov/procurement/bccsurvey/, or request a hard copy of the survey be mailed to your business. To request a copy be sent to your office or if you have any questions, you may contact Veronica Ruiz-Ronquillo at (520) 740-8465 for assistance. (Completing and submitting this survey by Jan. 12 will automatically enter you into a drawing for two complimentary admissions to the courses.)

Global Advantage meeting… Global Advantage Partners held its Dec. 7 meeting with global partners from Ottawa, Canada; Manchester, United Kingdom; Tucson; and Berlin, Germany. The UK Consulate, Hank Marshall, pointed out to the Global Advantage Partners the significance of the alliance between the UK and the US as they are our biggest trade partners. Hank further pointed out that the economy is in a position where exported trade is a bargain with the strength in foreign currency. Marshall and Eric Neilson, Director of the Arizona US Export Assistance Centers, pointed out the “AIM” process through the London Stock Exchange. The “AIM” is the streamlined process which makes it easier for smaller, growing companies to join a global market that has been specifically designed with smaller companies’ needs in mind. AIM enables smaller companies to broaden their investor base by attracting institutional investors, and raises their profile with analysts. The UK consul further stressed that there are distinct advantages to acquisitions and strategic growth in this current global economic market. New members of Global Advantage Partners included Carol Phillips from the Tucson Airport Authority and Bernando Mendez, Consulate of Mexico. The Global Advantage Partners will begin the New Year with their first meeting tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 10.

Forecast for Arizona’s workforce continues to show strength… The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) has updated its employment projections for 2007. Arizona’s economy is projected to grow at a faster rate than the nation in 2006 and 2007, with non-farm jobs forecasted to increase by 124,000 (4.9%) in 2006 and then slow to 103,900 new jobs (4%) in 2007. Tucson’s figures are slightly lower, but still strong with 2006 projected to grow 15,200 non-farm jobs (4.2%) and 2007 projected to create 12,200 jobs (3.3%). Meanwhile, according to the most recent figures by Global Insight, the U.S. economy is forecast to have a slower pace of employment expansion, growing at a rate of 1.4 percent in 2006 and 1.1 percent in 2007. Tucson’s forecast of manufacturing employment leads the state for 2006 and 2007, with projections of 3.0% and 2.5% respectively, compared to the Arizona forecast of 1.9% and 1.6%.

Increase in housing prices for Arizona ranks fourth in the U.S… According to the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO), Arizona’s housing prices are still relatively strong (16.37% twelve-month average price increase), ranking fourth in the country behind Idaho (17.52%), Utah (17.41%) and Oregon (16.90%). During the same period, Phoenix Metro housing prices grew 16.9% and Tucson’s grew 14.9%. The United States’ overall average for the same period was 7.73%. The third quarter itself slowed considerably with only a 1.02% price increase for Arizona, 0.77% for Phoenix and 1.01% for Tucson. The nation averaged just short of Arizona levels, coming in with a third quarter price increase of 0.86%.

New Global Business Connection book… The Global Business Connection has announced the publication of a new online book entitled Doing Business in the U.S.A. and written by Dr. Lawrence E. Koslow. This book provides practical, useable advice and information for companies who are interested in investing in the U.S. Chapters include tips on working successfully with Americans; key issues in business immigration marketing and sales into the U.S.; acquisition of residential and commercial real estate; and regulation of foreign investment and taxation in the U.S. You can check it out and download the initial chapter of this publication at www.gbcgroup.com in early February 2007.

Free temporary office space… International firms interested in exploring business development and R&D opportunities in Southern Arizona can take advantage of complimentary office accommodations for 30 days. Clients will receive a prestigious business address and services including a private furnished office, high-speed internet, private phone line, meeting space, market intelligence, partnering services, etc. For more information, contact John Grabo, University of Arizona Science and Technology Park, at jgrabo@email.arizona.edu or 626-2817.