Photo caption: Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey praised leaders in the Quad City area for continuing efforts to support existing and attract new business and industry to the region.
Praising local and regional community and business leaders for their efforts in supporting existing businesses, Gov. Doug Ducey told a crowd of 200 at a Touchmark breakfast meeting that he was pleased with the upward turn of the economy this past several months.
Ducey said Arizona had suffered severely during the Great Recession of 2007 and 2008. At the retirement resort meeting in Prescott, he said that at one time, Arizona was $1 billion in the red. In contrast, the state is now on solid economic ground and anticipates continuing fiscal advances.
Specifically, Ducey mentioned growth in the following:
- Arizona population — 200,000 new residents, and one of fastest growing states in country.
- 160,000 private sector jobs created.
- Unemployment rate down by 2.2 percent.
- Relocation of more than 300 companies to Arizona.
Ducey specifically mentioned several new industries that relocated in Yavapai County, noting that Superior Industries, Vinyl Visons, RESA Wear and Signs Plus were among them.
“I applaud mayors Greg Mengarelli and Harvey Skoog from Prescott and Prescott Valley for their aggressive advocacy for continuing business and economic growth and for their ongoing quest for better jobs for young people in the region,” Ducey said.
Ducey, who is running for a second term as governor, said several major challenges are ahead. Among those are protecting Arizona water rights, securing even more support for all levels of public education, and finding ways to assure border security and safety.
The breakfast meeting was hosted by the Prescott Chamber of Commerce and its membership.
