An economic development plan that seeks to expend the employment base in defense, aerospace and tourism related industries here was approved Tuesday by the Pima County Board of Supervisors.
The plan passed the board on Tuesday with Supervisor Ally Miller casting the only vote in opposition.
βItβs not an economic development plan, itβs going to be economic suicide,β Miller said.
Miller said the plan because it relies too heavily upon passage of the November bond package and additional borrowing.
The November bond package includes seven separate questions up for voter approval that total more than $815 million in new borrowing to be paid through secondary property taxes.
A key portion of the economic development plan includes investment in public infrastructure projects, such as the proposed Sonoran Corridor to create a bypass between Interstates 10 and 19 south of Tucson International Airport and extension of the realigned former Hughes Access Road also south of the airport.
County officials see the area south of the airport and Raytheon as an area of potential industrial and commercial growth. With few residences and a strategic position amid rail, air and surface transportation networks, county leaders see the area as a potential defense and logistics hub.
Miller said the plan doesnβt rely on the private sector enough and she would like to see the county invest more in streets.
While the bond package does include $200 million in new road construction and repairs, Miller said she doesnβt support the borrowing.
βThe reason I oppose it is because we get $50 million back from the state (annually) in Highway User Revenue and Vehicle License Taxes and weβre not spending it appropriately,β she said.
Supervisor Ray Carroll said the county has laid the groundwork for private-sector investment in area.
βWeβve already hard zoned for millions of square feet for new industrial,β Carroll said.
The economic development plan also discusses strategies to protect Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, which has a regional economic benefit of more than $1.5 billion.
County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry said the county would discuss creating the position of an advocate to help DM develop strong working relationships with area governments. He said he would talk with officials at the base and surrounding communities to see how the role would best be filled.
