Position Statement

It is the belief of the Tucson First Coalition that the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and its leadership have failed the local business community.  The Chambers failure has resulted in a hostile business environment, overbearing government, complicated land use codes, and inflated business costs. An ineffective Tucson Chamber of Commerce has diluted efforts and minimized businesses influence on the political process.

Tucson First Coalition believes that the Tucson Chamber of commerce leadership and management has lost the faith of local businesses, public officials and the community. 

The consequence of the Chamber’s inability to perform is a fragmented business community.  Currently there are six different chambers in the Tucson region.  There are multiple leadership and economic groups including TREO, SALC, GTL, ASBA, and several smaller organizations.  In addition, there are over twenty trade associates or business groups trying to promote business within their specific industry.  All these groups have the common interest of promoting economic development in the Tucson region. Each share responsibility for inability to influence local government and for failing to attract new industries to the region. 

Business fragmentation has empowered special interest groups that dominate the political landscape and stifle local business development.  The cost to the business community translates into higher impact fees, problems with land use codes, overbearing government, and inflated costs.  The fragmentation of the business community is a direct result of the Tucson Chamber’s ineffective management. 

 The focus of the Tucson First Coalition is to change the leadership of the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and establish a viable organization representing the Tucson community locally and abroad.  While many of the other chambers, leadership groups, business groups have a viable purpose, it is our belief that many of the functions of these groups can be absorbed by a revitalized Chamber of Commerce. 

Note: The position of the Tucson First Coalition is supported by a survey of local business owners, a review of Tucson’s organizational structure, an economic analysis by several business groups, and a review of other successful Chambers in western cities.    

Change Tucson Mission:

Change Tucson Chamber is a grass roots effort to reclaim the balance in southern Arizona between government, business and neighborhoods. 

Change Tucson Chamber cares about the future of our community and has had enough with years of inaction and lack of leadership within the business community.

Change Tucson Chamber demands accountabiity from the Tucson Chamber of Commerce and all groups that have lost touch with the very people they represents.

This groups asks simple questions and sets its direction on the following three cornerstones:

Is it good for the business community?

Is it good for families?

Is it important to our regions future?