HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/05/2021 Specila Council Meeting/ Retreat Summary Minutes MARANA AZ
ESTABLISHED 1977
MARANA TOWN COUNCIL
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING/RETREAT
The Wigwam Resort, 300 E. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield
Park, AZ 85340
March 5, 2021
Ed Honea, Mayor
Jon Post, Vice Mayor
David Bowen, Council Member
Patti Comerford, Council Member
Herb Kai, Council Member
John Officer, Council Member
Roxanne Ziegler, Council Member
SUMMARY MINUTES
Mayor Honea, Council Members and Town Staff gathered at The Wigwam Resort,
Kiva-Sahuaro Room located at 300 E. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park, 85340 and
continued the Retreat Meeting at 8:00 a.m.
Presentation and Discussion: Comprehensive overview of Town-wide Economic
Development activity, and a look ahead to future developments- Curt Woody,
Economic Development Director:
Mr. Woody provided a PowerPoint Presentation update on Economic Development
and Tourism (A copy of the presentation is on file in the Town Clerk's Office for viewing.)
Past, Present and Future
• Genesis of the Department
• Tourism Conceived
• Grow with the Town
Economic Impact of Tourism in Marana
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• December 2020: Annual Tourism Economic Impact = $142.6M
o +13% YOY - Sessions
o +36% YOY - Organic Search
o +65% YOY - Partner Listing Clicks
• January 2021: Occupancy Rages
o National = 39.3%
o Arizona = 48.3%
o Marana = 48.4%
• Top Attractions
o Shopping
o National and State Parks
o Dining
o Historic Sites
o Hiking
• New Visitor Center Designation- AZ Office of Tourism
• Newly Launched Tourism Dashboard
• New Advertising Programs Developed for Border Re-Opening
• 5451 / $1 ROI
• Questions on Tourism?
What is Economic Development?
• Recruitment
o Gets Most of the Attention
o Mid-Level
o Attract Diverse Industries
• Retention and Expansion
o Grow Your Own
o BR&E Plan
• Creation
o Tech Transfer - U of A
o Culture of Entrepreneurism
o Incubation
• Both a Process and a set of desired outcomes
• The desired outcome is an increase in living standards and quality of life
• Series of activities taken to induce positive change in the local economy
• It is Everything We Do On A Daily Basis
o Healthcare
o Tourism
o Public safety
o Recreation
o Education & Workforce Development
o Quality of Live
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o Community Beautification
o Infrastructure
What Drives our Economic Development Strategies:
• Economic Development Strategic Plan 2017
o Grant Awarded
o Consultant Retained
o Methodology Determined
o Research & Data-Driven Process
o Stakeholder Engagement
o SWOT
• Methodology
o Research, Identify and Evaluate Targeted Sectors
o Assess Current Economic Sectors
o Conduct Comparative Analysis of Competitive Markets
o Stakeholder Engagement- Council, Major Employers, Citizens and Local
and State Opinion Leaders with a High Level of Familiarity / Experience
with Marana
o SWOT
• Principal Findings
o Information Technology
o Business Services
o Advanced Manufacturing
o Transportation, Logistics and Distribution
o Additional Sectors - Hospitality, Healthcare and Retail
• Tools and Collaborations
o MJCIP - Marana Job Creation Incentive Program
o DMRF- Downtown Marana Reinvestment Fund
o ACA - Arizona Commerce Authority - Incentive Packages
o Town of Marana Economic Development Website Page
o www.selectmarana.com
o Social Media
o Sun Corridor Inc.
o ACA - Arizona Commerce Authority
o Site Selection Consultants
o Commercial Real Estate Brokers
o Developers
o Pima Community College Small Business Development Center
o Architects, Builders, and Engineers
• Town of Marana Successes
o Geost Engineering - Northwest Emergency Room
o Duralar -Luke Dealership
o Coronado Plumbing -Dove Mountain Assisted Living
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o TopGolf -International Towers
o Krebs -PVB Fabrications
o Alicat Scientific -PSE Archery
o Sargent Aerospace & Defense -Ventana / Roche x 2
o Micro Hospital -SW Gas
o JD Russell - Ama$$n
• Economic Development Strategic Plan: Strategies Going Forward
o Fortify Marana's Business Supportive Climate
o Invest in Infrastructure -Vacant land, but not all developable
o Recruit and Expand Our Four Target Sectors
■ Information Technology
■ Business Services
■ Advance Manufacturing
■ Logistics & Distribution
o Work with the Educational Sectors to Ensure Marana's Present &Future
Employers can Attract the Talent they Need
o Continue to Build the Relationships Necessary for Economic Development
Success
Presentation and Discussion: Development basics; market trends in development,
from the national level to the local level;the Town's position in the greater Tucson
market; and necessary infrastructure to continue development-Will White and John
Carroll, Land Advisors.
Mr. White and Mr. Carroll provided a PowerPoint Presentation on the market trends in
development. (A copy of the presentation is on file in the Town Clerk's Office for viewing.)
Council Planning/Issue Identification Session:
A. Facilitated discussion on items of importance to the Council regarding the
direction and strategic growth of the Town.
a. Goals: what do we want the Town to be, how do we get there?
b. Critical Infrastructure & Staff Funding
c. Top five priorities for each Council Member
d. Important projects
e. Communication Methods (weekly, monthly, project-specific, etc.)
Recap of Retreat & Next Steps:
Mr. Rozema and Deputy Town Manager Erik Montague provided a PowerPoint
Presentation on Investing in Growth. (A copy of the presentation is on file in the Town Clerk's
Special/Retreat Council Meeting Summary Minutes 03/5/2021 4
Office for viewing.) Discussion ensued regarding thoughts of current and future service
levels, strategies for ongoing and one-time investment needs, and receiving feedback on
use of existing resources and new resources.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Honea adjourned the meeting without objection. Meeting adjourned at 4:00 PM.
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing are the true and correct minutes of the Marana Town
Council Retreat meeting held on March 5, 2021. I further certify that a quorum was
present.
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Cherry L. La so , Town Clerk
146
MARANA AZ
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