Information technology jobs key to Maricopa’s future

The man behind an ongoing report designed to boost economic development in the city of Maricopa said he feels the city should be focusing on employers in the information sector versus those in the manufacturing field.

“It is hard for people to see economic development in terms of information, but that is where I think we will be recommending Maricopa focus,” said Jon Roberts, Managing Director for TIP strategies.

TIP Strategies was hired by the Maricopa Economic Development Alliance to complete an economic development strategic plan that will serve as the city’s road map for economic development during the next three to five years.

“The final plan will include specific goals, priority strategies, an implementation matrix, target industries and an economic assessment of the community,” MEDA CEO Jim Rives said. “This is a very qualified group we have contracted to complete this study.”

MEDA is a private, non-profit organization established in 2009 to work as a non-attached limb of the city to help attract businesses and jobs to Maricopa.

Robert’s revelations were delivered to city council, during a meeting designed to gain councilmember input on the plan this past Tuesday.

In terms of specific information fields Roberts said he was all but certain he would recommend the city look at attracting employment in the digital health information management sector

“Not many colleges in the country are providing training programs in this growing field,” Roberts said. “If the city were able to partner with an educational provider to offer training capacity here I could see these types of employers coming to Maricopa.”

Roberts added these type of companies typically directly employee 40 to 60 people in stable, high-paying jobs.

Another information job sector Roberts said thinks will be a recommendation is automotive research.

“The two test tracks in the city are a huge selling point,” he said, referring to the Nissan and Volkswagen facilities here.

Roberts said manufacturing jobs should be welcomed if they materialize, but that because of macro-economic trends that have tended to push those jobs overseas for a number of years, and because of a lack of shovel ready sites or suitable existing buildings in Maricopa, that should not be the focus of a campaign to attract new employers.

“It is difficult for the U.S, to compete for these types of jobs and it would be even more difficult for the city of Maricopa,” he said.
In addition to possible employment targets, Roberts said when the city builds its government complex he will be recommending they make it a private/public partnership.

By public/private partnership Roberts said he would like to see the city include privately developed Class-A office space in the complex, to attract service entrepreneurs such as attorneys and accountants.

He added in addition to office space it would be wise to integrate amenities such as a coffee shop into the government center to create economic activity and to make it more of a true center for city life.

Currently, Robert’s group is still in the information-collecting phase of its study. “We are meeting with all the stake holders involved in this process and gathering feedback,” he said.

The completed strategic plan will be delivered to council by March of 2011.

“I am looking forward to the results of this strategic plan,” Councilmember Alan Marchione said.

To learn more about the plan visit http://maricopameda.wordpress.com/