MARICOPA - "For the affordable housing" or "for the easy commute to Phoenix" or "for the rural setting." Ask new residents why they moved to Maricopa, and chances are, one of those answers will be among their response.
 
"I moved to Maricopa for the employment opportunities," however, are not words likely to be uttered by any of the 2,000 or more new residents coming to Maricopa each month.

Uncorrected, it's an issue that could become a real problem for the city in years to come. Maricopa's draft General Plan, currently available for public review, outlines the need to attract employers as well as to retain and foster expansion of local businesses, to keep Maricopa from becoming a "bedroom community."

City Manager Rick Buss agrees economic development is a critical part of Maricopa's future.

"Because economic development is such a critical aspect of building a sustainable and balanced 21st century new American city, it has been included as a key element in the city's first General Plan," Buss said. "From day one of the city's incorporation, an overarching goal has been to ensure that the city is more than yet another 'bedroom community' in rapidly growing Arizona."

According to the plan, Maricopa's proximity to the Phoenix metropolitan area is a "two-edged" sword. On one side, residents are attracted to Maricopa for the easy commute to the metro area. However, Maricopa's location also makes it easy for residents to travel to Phoenix to meet work, play and shopping needs.

"Some of Maricopa's biggest needs are for expanded retail services and medical facilities," the plan states. "Presently, residents' demands for consumer goods and medical services are met outside Maricopa, thereby economically 'leaking' revenues to other communities."

The plan suggests a need to create a balanced and diverse economy by attracting employers in the areas of research and development, manufacturing and biotech industries. Finding ways to attract tourism dollars, as well as retirees, is also encouraged.

"In the long run, Maricopa wants to attract industries which have high wage rates and which have a large locally based managerial cohort. Firms of this sort provide opportunities for upward mobility and economic security. The sort of job that is being described is a 'quality job' that promotes retention in the community of 'Maricopa's best and brightest' and it makes Maricopa a quality destination for outsiders."

Several advantages are listed for businesses to come to Maricopa, including proximity to Phoenix, Casa Grande and Interstates 10 and 8, direct access to the Union Pacific Railroad main line and low to moderate site and operating costs as well as land available for development. Maricopa's "wide open spaces, beautiful views and night-sky viewing" are also touted as positive attractors.

The plan suggests these advantages should be promoted through a comprehensive marketing campaign and recruiting program for businesses. It also says the city should identify its niche in the region.

"The 'niche' it presently occupies is a quiet, small-town atmosphere booming with residential construction.... Maricopa can work to attract businesses that thrive in a small-town environment and actively solicit businesses in the metropolitan Phoenix area that are looking to expand, to do so in Maricopa."

The General Plan stresses a need for the city to attract opportunities for higher education. By actively supporting the development of a community college campus in the Maricopa area, the city can attract and promote a more highly skilled workforce, which will, in turn, attract higher-paying jobs.

Recruiting medical facilities to locate in Maricopa is also suggested. The plan encourages the city to seek partnerships in bringing in a hospital and other medical services to meet the needs of the growing community.

Buss says the city has already started working toward some of the goals outlined in the plan.

"Economic development is a very significant quality-of-life enhancement process that takes time, intense effort and a strong network of contacts that is increasingly global in scope. The city has assembled an exceptionally strong, highly reputable team of professionals to lead this process and already has garnered results. This is especially important, as the competition for knowledge economy jobs is increasingly intense and global in nature. Cities like Maricopa are competing with cities in China, India and scores of other countries in Europe, Central America, Asia and North Africa for high-value-added jobs."

Buss says despite the competition, Maricopa has a chance to attract quality employment.

"The city of Maricopa has many strategic advantages that will continue to enhance economic development initiatives. The quality of people in the community as well as those moving here, an average of about three people per hour, is highly attractive to potential new employers. Also, the close proximity to the greater Phoenix area is of great benefit. Finally, the ongoing collaboration and integration of key corporate partners will further leverage the city's attractiveness to potential locates."

The draft General Plan is available for any interested person to review and comment on. Review copies are available at the Maricopa Community Library and City Hall. Comments can be e-mailed to David Williams at dwaplanning@comcast.net or mailed to: General Plan Comment, Maricopa City Hall, P.O. Box 610, Maricopa, AZ 85239.

The 60-day public review period will end Nov. 12. Comments will be catalogued and provided to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council during public hearings scheduled for November and December.