FACTS

Chamber & Tucson Facts

These facts illustrate and support why leadership change is necessary.

FACT - Tucson Chamber membership has declined drastically over the past twelve years. In 1997 the Chamber Leadership claimed they had nearly 3,300 members, by 2003 there were 2,400 members, and today it is only 1,700 members.

FACT - There are nearly 32,000 businesses in the Tucson region and only 1700 belong to the chamber.. The Tucson Chamber represents only 5% of Tucson businesses.

FACT - Similar sized communities have substantially higher membership in their Chambers. Examples include

Salt Lake City 4,200 members

Albuquerque 5,650 members

Las Vegas 6,900 members

Tucson 1,700 members

FACT - At one time the Tucson Chamber was responsible for economic development, tourism, and welcoming new business to the community. Today the chamber does little or nothing related to these activities.

FACT - According to TREO’s 2006 Economic Report two of the top five weaknesses in the Tucson region included a lack of Private Sector Leadership and a lack of Local Political Leadership

FACT - Currently government employs 21.8% of the workforce in the Tucson region. This is 35% higher than similar western cities. This statistic illustrates our local bloated government (higher taxes) and demonstrates a lack of the Tucson Chambers focusing on strategically attract industry to the Tucson community.

FACT - The commercial vacancy rate is now over 12% a new high for our community according to a 2009 second quarter survey.

FACT - The Tucson Chamber’s website and 2009 Legislative Agenda (30 page report) does not mention one specific piece of legislation the Chamber lobbied directly for, supported, or alerted membership to rally behind. Furthermore, there is no mention of activities related to the Tucson City Council or the Pima County Board of Supervisors.

FACT - The Tucson Chamber’s 2009-2010 Business Plan does not have one specific plan to help struggling businesses in this current economic crises. There are no stated plans to fight overbearing taxation, or economic development of the Tucson Community.

FACT - There are currently 8 Chamber of Commerce organizations in the Tucson Region and over 20 business groups promoting economic development in the Tucson Community. The redundancy of all these organizations is a direct result of the Tucson Chamber of Commerce inability to perform and is costing Tucson businesses in redundant fees, inefficiency, and lack of unified voice.

Tucson Chamber Mission:

The mission of the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce is to lead all public and private interests in the Tucson Metropolitan area to develop a climate in which business can create jobs and operate a profit.

Question: After seeing these facts do you think the Tucson Chamber is fulfilling its mission?

Tucson Chamber 2009-2010 Board -

They only meet quarterly