Business Facilities - April 2008 - (Page 40)

By Mitchell Banks Growing I t may be true that when companies establish themselves in a community and call for employees, the workforce grows in response. It also works the other way around, as anyone operating a business in the state of Arizona can tell you. Arizona has the nation’s fastest-growing workforce, and for that reason has been a magnet for growing companies in search of a new location. That’s far from the only reason, however. An outstanding university and community college system in Arizona ensures that the ever-growing workforce has the skills it needs to keep your company competitive. Businesses also like Arizona’s secure operating environment, notable for the absence of catastrophic weather and seismic activity. Strong infrastructure assets, attractive operating costs, and a stable, pro-business climate also are an important part of the value Arizona is able to deliver to industry. For those intrigued by Arizona and curious about possible business locations within the state, Arizona Public Service Company (APS) and the Arizona Department of ComAPRIL 2008 in the Sun The fastest-growing workforce in the nation also happens to be one of the best-trained and best-educated, helping to make Arizona a first-tier choice for expanding companies. merce have launched a free Webbased tool to support businesses exploring Arizona as a relocation or expansion site. Called “Arizona Prospector,” the online application (try it at www.arizonaprospector.com) directly aids businesses by providing core data and available commercial, industrial, and retail properties, as well as workforce demographics, interactive maps, and other business information. This is made possible by the use of online, real-time data, which allows quick, up-to-date searches of available sites and their characteristics. Users can also narrow down locations that meet their specific needs. “Arizona Prospector answers all the general questions businesses want to know in minutes,” says Jan Lesher, director, Arizona Department of Commerce. “It’s essentially a business portal that promotes Arizona as a premier location for business location or SOUTHWEST REGIONAL COST COMPARISON Location Arizona California Colorado Nevada Wages1 $14.55 $15.70 $15.91 $14.98 Workers Unemployment Compensation2 Insurance3 $1.49 $6.08 $2.33 $2.58 $2.56 $3.08 $1.63 $140 $238 $170 $708 $358 $243 $384 Lease Rates4 $21.00-$26.00 $23.10-$36.10 $17.50-$25.00 $24.10-$34.60 $18.40-$20.50 $17.40-$24.10 $16.70-$22.50 Cost of Living5 100.4 159.0 100.6 109.9 100.7 94.6 95.9 New Mexico $13.66 Texas Utah $14.03 $14.71 SOURCE: ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE NOTES: 1: AVERAGE HOURLY MANUFACTURING WAGE, 2005; 2: WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE COST INDEX PER $100 PAYROLL; 3: AVERAGE COST OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PER WORKER; 4: AVERAGE LEASE RATE PER SQUARE FOOT PER YEAR, CLASS A OFFICE SPACE; 5: ACCRA COST OF LIVING INDEX Q4 2005, U.S. AVERAGE = 100. 40 A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION OF BUSINESS FACILITIES http://www.arizonaprospector.com

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Business Facilities - April 2008 Contents First Word Snapshots Corporate Moves: Ohio Businesses On the Move Corporate Moves: Nebraska If You Build It, They Will Come A Tale of Two Industries Economic Transformation In the Islands Diversity: A New York State of Mind Growing in the Sun Key Kansas Industries Get a Boost How To Choose the Right Commercial Real Estate Broker Missouri Downtowns Dare to Dream Advertiser Index Ask the Expert

Business Facilities - April 2008

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