At first glance Southern Arizona is dry desert studded with towering saguaros. A closer look reveals lush riparian areas and forested mountains.

The region’s economy has some key elements – from longtime economic drivers like defense and a top-20 research university to younger, fast-growing industries like bioscience and solar power. Both entrepreneurs and global powerhouses have a presence here.

Economic development – business attraction, new company expansion, retention and creation – is the central mission of Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities. Formed in 2005, TREO is the region’s lead economic development agency, now largely funded by the private sector. To date, TREO’s efforts have resulted in the facilitation of 10,550 jobs, capital investments of $582.5 million, and an economic impact of $2 billion – with more in the pipeline.

“We’ve done good work,” TREO’s president and CEO Joe Snell acknowledged. “But the coming months and years are critical for the region. We’re at a crossroads. The community must decide how to allocate its resources to build its future. We need to establish our spending priorities, invest in what will produce a return, and grow our economy.”

Primed by its historic rapid population influx, Tucson’s economy has relied on growth-related industries such as residential construction. This reliance on non-primary industries leaves Tucson