Tucson, Arizona

6 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 10 do our part.” On the topic of valued partnerships Coffee says, “We don’t do anything in a silo, especially from the hat I wear, which is economic development. All of our partners are extremely important.” Mentioning Pima Community College and the University of Arizona as key partners in education and workforce development, she shares that Pima is investing more than $100 million into setting up what they call Centers of Excellence. “They opened a new Automotive Technology Center last year, and this year are about to open an advanced manufacturing facility that really brings private industry in. It opens doors to customized training and programs that benefit our industry that is already here, or that might come here. It also benefits those trainees that are looking to access those jobs.” As a city known for its non-profit groups, Coffee shares that organizations such as the YWCA Women’s Business Center and StartUp Tucson are dedicated to helping entrepreneurs to succeed, while lenders such as Community Investment Corporation and Growth Partners Arizona are providing access to financial resources. Coffee elaborates, “I think about our economic development partners at Pima County. Sun Corridor is our regional group and groups TUCSON, AR I ZONA