About Southern Arizona High-Tech Work Environment/Lifestyle
With more than 1,200 companies employing over 50,000 people and generating annual revenues of nearly $6.0 billion, Southern Arizona is well known nationally and internationally as a leader in high-tech industry cluster development.
Clusters provide extensive resources for established businesses and create a spawning ground for start-up companies. Southern Arizona's high-tech clusters have established large, diverse pools of experienced, talented and skilled workers, encouraged supplier development, promoted technology transfer and fostered a competitive spirit that stimulates growth and innovation. Southern Arizona Tech Council
www.satc-az.com
The Southern Arizona Tech Council (SATC) was formed in August of 2000 to coordinate implementation of cross-cluster business/infrastructure development initiatives and advocates on behalf of the clusters. Participation in SATC includes the six high-tech industry clusters recognized as targets for development in Southern Arizona as well as key representatives from economic development, education and government.
SATC also works closely as a partner with the Arizona Department of Commerce (www.azcommerce.com/) and the Arizona Technology Council (www.aztechcouncil.org/) and is a member of the Governor's Council on Innovation and Technology (www.gcit.az.gov/).
Southern Arizona High-Tech Clusters
Six high-tech clusters have been targeted for development at this time in Southern Arizona. They include bioindustry, environmental technology, industry/aerospace, information technology, optics and plastics/advanced composites as outlined below:
BioIndustry
Bio Industry Organization of Southern Arizona (BIOSA)
www.bio-sa.org
Southern Arizona's bioindustry is home to over 70 biotech companies engaged in sectors such as: medical devices, pharmaceutical R&D, medical imaging, industrial products, and biomaterials. The largest international company, Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., has 400 of its 520 employees located in Tucson. Its diagnostic instruments and enabling drug discovery platform technologies are sold worldwide. Numerous smaller companies, focused on drug discovery and drug delivery technologies, are working their way through the R&D process and are seeking investors and strategic partners. Tucson is rich in the infrastructure metrics that are critical to the development of biotech companies.
Technology anchors for Southern Arizona's bioindustry are the Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy at the University of Arizona, coupled with the University Medical Center research and teaching hospital, the College of Science and the College of Agriculture.
Environmental Technology
Environmental Technology Industry Cluster (ETIC)
www.azetic.com
The Environmental Technology Industry Cluster (ETIC) represents the full breadth of the environmental technology industry in Southern Arizona, including resource recovery, pollution control, distributed power generation, watershed management, environmental law, and carbon management. It provides more than 5,000 environmental technology jobs and records nearly $2 billion in annual revenues.
ETIC annually hosts one of the largest environmental conference, exposition and trade shows in the U.S., the Electric Utility Environmental Conference. It encompasses 900 international environmental delegates, utility representatives, federal regulators, environmental consultants and equipment vendors who network and seek to expand their business opportunities.
Industry/Aerospace
Southern Arizona Industry & Aerospace Alliance (SAIAA)
www.saiaa.com
Anchored by companies such as Raytheon, Honeywell, Bombardier, Texas Instruments and Evergreen Air Center, the Industry & Aerospace Cluster in Southern Arizona represents defense and space-related manufacturing, research and development, industrial high-tech fields, assembly, distribution and warehousing. It also includes firms that maintain and rehabilitate the nation's commercial aircraft fleet.
The cluster is one of Southern Arizona's largest, employing over 20,000 people. It has strong connections with the University of Arizona, University of Arizona Science and Technology Park, Pima Community College, Cochise Community College and the K-12 education sector. Additionally, in partnership with other clusters, it continues to develop active business relationships nationally and internationally.
Information Technology
Information Technology Association of Southern Arizona (ITASA)
www.itasa.com
The Information Technology Cluster in Southern Arizona represents more than 700 companies connected to computers, semiconductors, teleservices, office products, software, Internet/online services, web design, ecommerce, telecommunications, systems integration and related professional services. It employs over 30,000 people and has annual revenues in excess of $1.5 billion. More than 15,000 people are employed in the teleservices sector providing inbound/outbound information gathering, tech support and deaf services utilizing knowledge-based skills for customer service, sales and consumer research.
An active special interests group program deals with a wide range of information technology issues such as chief information officer best practices, marketing, small business needs and software systems engineering.
Nanotechnology
Arizona Nanotechnology Cluster
www.aznano.org
A statewide nanotechnology cluster based in Tucson was formed in 2003 as the newest cluster group participating in Southern Arizona. It addresses research and development of extremely small components and structures such as advanced semiconductor technology for IC's below 100 nanometers; MEMS, BIOMEMS and nanoscale electromechanical systems; and manufacturing processes for devices at nanoscale dimensions. Arizona companies dealing with nanotechnology include Intel, Motorola, Raytheon, STMicroelectronics and Texas Instruments.
Optics
Arizona Optics Industry Association (AOIA)
www.aoia.org
Southern Arizona's optics industry is world-renowned. In fact, Tucson is often referred to as "Optics Valley" because of its concentration of prominent optics-related companies.
The Optics Cluster, encompassing more than 200 companies with 160 of them in Southern Arizona, represents a broad range of products and services, including optical design and engineering, fiber optic components for telecommunications, lasers and semiconductors, metrology instrumentation, high precision optical fabrication, high volume precision plastic optics, precision measuring and positioning equipment, microscopes and telescopes, opto-electronics, image processing, and optical coatings/thin films.
Plastics/Advanced Composite Materials
www.azplastics.org
The Plastics & Advanced Composite Materials Cluster began in 1997. In the past five years, Arizona ranked as one of the fastest growing states for plastics industry employment, and now includes 15,000 jobs. The total number of plastics facilities in Arizona is more than 300 with an annual payroll of approximately $300 million. Plastics shipments total more than $2 billion, an increase of greater than 150% since 1991.
Lifestyle....Plug into the Good Life
Southern Arizona is one of the nation's favorite destinations for high-tech companies and travelers. They come thousands of miles to enjoy its pleasant climate, spectacular scenery, great golf, world-famous attractions and laid-back lifestyle. Everything that makes Southern Arizona a great place to visit makes it an even better place to live.
The intriguing landscape of the desert gives way to majestic mountains in every direction, making a paradise for anyone who loves the outdoors. Hiking, biking and exploring are favorite activities. And golfers enjoy some of the finest courses anywhere, from challenging target golf to traditional layouts. Mild, sunny weather keeps the outdoors available 12 months a year.
Southern Arizona's culture is a unique blend of Western, Mexican and Native American influences. It enjoys everything from symphonies to rodeos, modern art to Wild-West shootouts. And dining is diverse and delicious, with restaurants ranging from world-renowned gourmet to some of the best Mexican food this side of the border.
Southern Arizona is also a favorite destination for high-tech meetings and events. There are spaces available for almost every size group and convenient lodging in every price range. For more details on accomdations, please visit the following hyperlink:
Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau
www.visitTucson.org
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