SHPE - Conference 2008 - (Page 26)

C O V E R S T O RY ❚ By Patty Enrado The Economic Downturn Isn't Keeping This 'Young' City from Expanding Infrastructure PHOENIX RISING financial, information, professional and business services, and the professional, scientific and technical services industries. The construction industry has been especially hard hit, with 37,200 jobs, or 16.4 percent, lost in the last 12 months. This represents the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in the last 10 years. W ith its warm weather and affordable living, Arizona ranks as the second-fastest growing state in the United States. What surprises many people is the fact that Phoenix is the sixth largest city and continues to be one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation – currently at 1.3 million residents. In fact, the Greater Phoenix Area consists of 23 cities and towns, including Scottsdale. Although Phoenix was incorporated as a city in 1881, it’s still considered young in terms of infrastructure and demographics. According to the Arizona Department of Commerce’s Population Statistics Unit, 49 percent of the population is between the ages of 25 and 59, with 11 percent over the age of 60. Phoenix is home to Arizona State University West and numerous colleges, and approximately 23 percent of Phoenix’s residents have at least one college degree. Its main economic base encompasses the high tech, aerospace and services industries. While the Greater Phoenix Area continues to grow, the region has not been immune to the current economic downturn. According to the Arizona Department of Commerce Research Administration’s Employment Report, the state’s economy has undergone six consecutive months of over-the-year losses including August, down 1.9 percent or 50,700 jobs compared with 2007. Arizona’s August 2008 unemployment stood at 5.6 percent, lower than the national average of 6.1 percent. However, the state’s unemployment rate has been rising steadily, and up 3.7 percent from August 2007 to August 2008. Many segments of the local economy have struggled, including construction, utilities, 26 With revenues up 9 percent, Intel continues to be a strong performer in the high technology industry. Professional Engineering Services: Not Slowing Down A few professional engineering services companies, whose work is heavily tied to the construction industry, have yet to experience a slowdown in projects. Smith Seckman Reid Inc. (SSR), an employeeowned engineering design and facility consulting firm based in Nashville, Tennessee, has more than 550 employees in 12 offices across the United States, including Phoenix. SSR, which provides consulting services related to facility and infrastructure design, construction, operations and management, has more than 160 professional engineers and 57 LEED Accredited Professionals. Its engineers, who come from mechanical, electrical, fire protection, plumbing, structural, civil and environmental disciplines, work closely with architects and owners to design complex facilities. SSR’s projects include healthcare, higher education, science and technology industries along with SHPE ❘ Conference 2008 Courtesy of Intel

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of SHPE - Conference 2008

SHPE - Conference 2008 President’s Letter From the Vice President News of Particular Interest to Society Members Calendar Making the Most of the Career Fair Grupos de Afinidad Phoenix Rising Advancing Hispanic Excellence in Technology, Engineering, Math and Science (AHETEMS) 2008 SHPE Conference Program Guide Welcome Letters Highlights Conference Schedule STAR Awards Company of the Year Chapter of the Year Awards Speakers Entertainment Hospitality Suites Advisor Program Professional Program Quick Guide Business Proposal Competition Professional Workshop Descriptions Technical Paper and Poster Competitions AHETEMS Design Competition Extreme Engineering Challenge National Academic Olympiad AHETEMS Teacher Program AHETEMS Pre-College Symposia Corporate Tours AHETEMS Graduate Program AHETEMS Distinguished Lecture Series AHETEMS Deans’ Summit Undergraduate Workshops Quick Guide Undergraduate Workshops Descriptions MUST Scholars Symposium Career Fair Exhibitors Sponsors Hotel and Convention Center Maps Regional Roundup Inner Circle Employer Profiles Advertisers Index

SHPE - Conference 2008

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