UofA Science and Technology Park Impact Study (Tucson, Benson: home, tenants)

[michael krotchie]

Just thought I'd share some news with everyone here. I just attended a breakfast presentation at the University of Arizona's Science and Technology Park (UASTP) regarding the Park's economic impact on the city and state and it was very encouraging.

The results were very positive and all data indicates a continued growth and expansion of the park during the next ten years. The report will be available for the public sometime today at the at the UA's Office of Economic Development website. Keep in mind that the report is based on data from the year 2007; apparently the study is so massive in scope and detail that it takes that long for everything to be collected.

Some highlights:

• Tech Park is home to 32 tenants that employ 6,175 people
• The Tech Park created an additional 6,850 jobs in the regional economy
• Continues to attract high tech companies to Tucson
• Ambitious ten year expansion plan includes multi-use development (residential/retail/commerical)

[ihatetucson]

The problem with this Science and Technology park is that is is TOO FAR AWAY! You're talking a 20 mile drive from Tucson to the park, and with I-10 all messed up, this doesn't help matters much either. Plus a lot of us don't have cars and rely on Sun Tran to get them from Point A to Point B. Currently, there is no bus service to the Technology Park, and the bus service that is being added, only is serviced on weekdays. Most jobs there require you to work nights, a Saturday or a Sunday. The park benefits residents in Rita Ranch, Vail and Benson but for Tucsonans, eh, not so much.

[michael krotchie]

Originally Posted by ihatetucson

The problem with this Science and Technology park is that is is TOO FAR AWAY! You're talking a 20 mile drive from Tucson to the park, and with I-10 all messed up, this doesn't help matters much either. Plus a lot of us don't have cars and rely on Sun Tran to get them from Point A to Point B. Currently, there is no bus service to the Technology Park, and the bus service that is being added, only is serviced on weekdays. Most jobs there require you to work nights, a Saturday or a Sunday.

95% of the direct employees at the UASTP work for IBM, Citigroup, and Raytheon. It's safe to say that most of these people do NOT work nights, Saturdays, or Sundays.

And if you had actually looked at the report you would have seen that although there is a high concentration of employees in the zip codes around the park there are still many employees who make the commute from all over Tucson.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that because the employee's at the park have a higher paying job on average than most of Pima County they can afford cars (and I'm not just talking about the engineers, there are over 6,000 indirect employees also).

Originally Posted by ihatetucson

The park benefits residents in Rita Ranch, Vail and Benson but for Tucsonans, eh, not so much.

"The University of Arizona Science and Technology Park, founded in 1995, contributed $2.5 billion to Pima County's economy in 2007, including $63.9 million in tax revenue, according to a UA study released Thursday."

[ihatetucson]

Originally Posted by michael krotchie

95% of the direct employees at the UASTP work for IBM, Citigroup, and Raytheon. It's safe to say that most of these people do NOT work nights, Saturdays, or Sundays.

And if you had actually looked at the report you would have seen that although there is a high concentration of employees in the zip codes around the park there are still many employees who make the commute from all over Tucson.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that because the employee's at the park have a higher paying job on average than most of Pima County they can afford cars (and I'm not just talking about the engineers, there are over 6,000 indirect employees also).

"The University of Arizona Science and Technology Park, founded in 1995, contributed $2.5 billion to Pima County's economy in 2007, including $63.9 million in tax revenue, according to a UA study released Thursday."

I do agree with the other businesses but:

Citigroup, yes you do work weekends. It's a call center, what else?

And the new Target Fulfillment Center, you have to work rotating shifts (Including nights, and weekends).

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by ihatetucson

The problem with this Science and Technology park is that is is TOO FAR AWAY! You're talking a 20 mile drive from Tucson to the park, and with I-10 all messed up, this doesn't help matters much either. Plus a lot of us don't have cars and rely on Sun Tran to get them from Point A to Point B. Currently, there is no bus service to the Technology Park, and the bus service that is being added, only is serviced on weekdays. Most jobs there require you to work nights, a Saturday or a Sunday. The park benefits residents in Rita Ranch, Vail and Benson but for Tucsonans, eh, not so much.

The location of the park is just fine and most people do have cars.

Your personal situation colors all your views. You'd hate any city living like that.

[beowulf77]

We just got notice here that they are threatening to close that overpriced cafeteria unless it is subsidized by Raytheon, IBM, Citi... etc.

So apparently someone is losing money on the deal.

But I love it, my commute is 15 mins from Vail. I just wish I didn't office in a friggin warehouse cubefarm.

[ZonyPony]

Originally Posted by beowulf77

I just wish I didn't office in a friggin warehouse cubefarm.

Now THAT's a great description!