Town Hall issues findings on first surveys… The Advisory Board of the Town Hall process has issued the first two of 12 reports showing the responses from the online surveys for “Community Values” and “Downtown.” Interesting results (highest and lowest responses) from those reports include the following: 1) The most important value a community should have – 27% said “working together for the good of all” while only 2% said “Attractive Downtown or other neighborhoods”; 2) The strongest value shared by those in the Greater Tucson area – 32% responded “Protecting the environment” while only 1% said “educational opportunities for all”; and 3) People would consider moving downtown if – 33% said “there were better housing options at reasonable prices” while only 3% responded “better local schools”. The next survey to be posted will be on “Literacy,” a topic for which the Chamber has taken a lead role (see related story here). Once the surveys are completed in all 12 areas, the citizen committees will be able to use those findings along with the original Town Hall report to formulate action plans for improvement. For more information, call Paula Stuht at 792-2250 ext. 134.

Downtown Tucson Partnership meeting… Cheryll Frazier, Manager for Economic Development, attended the initial meeting of the Board of Directors of the new Downtown Tucson Partnership on July 12 at The Hotel Arizona. The agenda included reaffirming the Articles of Incorporation and restated Bylaws, organizational objectives, establishment of initial committees, establishment of “Downtown Angels,” ongoing Tucson Downtown Alliance obligations and determination of regular meeting dates. The next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 15.

Free Hong Kong seminar… Chamber members have been invited to join the Hong Kong Trade Development Council for a free half-day seminar and networking lunch entitled “Hong Kong - Foshan: Your Partners for Success in China.” This exciting event will be held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Phoenix on Monday, Sept. 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:35 p.m. The half-day seminar program brings together leading experts from Hong Kong and Foshan who will speak about China’s business environment and its abundant economic potential, as well as a panel of U.S. business executives who will share their business experience, legal aspects of doing business in Hong Kong, China’s transportation and finance systems and success stories and challenges associated with doing business in China and Hong Kong. Several Chamber members have expressed their desire to participate in this half-day seminar on the 17th. The Hong Kong Trade Council has committed to providing a free roundtrip shuttle bus service between Tucson and Phoenix if there is sufficient interest; approximately 8-10 seats remain. Contact Cheryll Frazier, Manager of Business Development, at cfrazier@tucsonchamber.org if you would like to reserve a seat. The deadline for seat reservations is Aug. 17. Additional information and a registration form can be found at www.nushkba.org/Events/Phoenix17Sept07.htm; however, the shuttle seat information is being coordinated thorough the Chamber.

I-10 widening info… Work continues along Interstate 10 and its frontage roads, although the bridge demolition schedule has been revised. Click here to view the most recent traffic alert detailing all of the closures and construction work associated with the I-10 widening project.

Downtown construction news… Remember that Tucson’s Downtown is still open for business and easy to access! Just make sure to first visit www.knowyourwaydowntown.info for all of the latest information on the various construction projects in and around Downtown, including the 4th Avenue Underpass, the Oracle/Main/Drachman intersection and the Tucson Origins Mission Complex project. The site also includes maps, parking info and links to the latest news releases.

“Mars or Bust”… In just a few days, the University of Arizona-led Phoenix Mars Mission is set to blast off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida for a 10-month cruise to the Red Planet. UA is the first public university to lead a Mars mission, and once the lander is safely on the Martian surface in May 2008, the world will be looking to Tucson to learn what is being discovered. Local media, including the Tucson Citizen, Arizona Daily Star and television stations will begin running stories about the mission on July 29 and continuing through the launch period. Tucson businesses can be part of this historic planetary exploratory mission by posting words of support on their roadside sign boards or marquees, just as they do when the Wildcats are headed to a national sporting tournament. How about “Mars or Bust!” or “Sending Phoenix to Mars!” or something to evoke the spirit of the mission? The Phoenix mission – named for the mythological bird that arises from its own ashes, not the State’s capital city – is scheduled to launch on Aug. 3 or shortly thereafter, depending on conditions at Cape Canaveral. Show your support that week, and leave it up for a few days after launch. Businesses can take a photo of their sign and email it to the mission (webmaster@lpl.arizona.edu) and it will be included in a gallery on the project’s web site, phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu. Questions can be directed to Sara Hammond, Phoenix Mission public affairs manager, at 419-8071.