West Valley Collaborative

Transcription

1 West Valley Collaborative Three organizations which serve the West Valley are working collaboratively toward promoting the goals of the Arizona We Want 2.0. We look upon this report as a starting point. Leadership West: Cultivates leadership capital for the West Valley and prepares these leaders to effect positive change in the state of Arizona. Leadership West changed its Issue Day topics to mirror The Arizona We Want 2.0 WESTMARC: Western Maricopa Coalition the West Valley s public- private partnership dedicated to enhance economic development and promote the quality of life in Western Maricopa County. West-MEC: Western Maricopa Education Center a Joint Technical Education District which provides training to enter the workforce and pursue continuing education, and also provides retraining to enhance job skills and career opportunities. Work of the Collaborative Supported by the Mayors and Managers of Avondale, Buckeye, El Mirage, Gila Bend, Glendale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Peoria, Phoenix, Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise, Tolleson, Wickenburg, Youngtown

2 WEST VALLEY COLLABORATIVE RESPONSE TO THE ARIZONA WE WANT - GOAL 1 Education Arizona high school students graduate college & career ready as measured by national and international standards. Graduate high school students who are college & career ready. Align graduation requirements with national and international standards. Customize education to meet students goals. 19% of Arizonans rate their community highly for the quality of its public schools. WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? Support assessments for College and Career Readiness Standards Continue to attract additional higher learning institutions to West Valley West-MEC will open 3 new Central Campus sites in North Phoenix, Glendale Airport and Start at West- MEC in 2014 West-MEC provides Career and Technical Education courses in 46 high schools and 3 Central Campus sites serving 24,000 students Midwestern University the state s largest medical school has established new opportunities for students, including the state s only veterinarian school. ASU West, Grand Canyon University, Thunderbird Graduate School, Trine University, Pierce University, Midwestern University, Communiversity in Surprise, Glendale, Glendale North and Estrella Mountain Community Colleges have a combined enrollment of more than 75,000 students. Tolleson Elementary School District is developing a growth plan for each individual student and a goal plan for each teacher. WESTMARC and Leadership West connecting its membership and alumni with opportunities to connect with educational policymakers and learn about current initiatives.

3 WEST VALLEY COLLABORATIVE RESPONSE TO THE ARIZONA WE WANT - GOAL 2 Job Creation More job opportunities that offer higher wages with job training programs for Arizonans of all ages. More job opportunities Job training programs for all ages Lower business taxes More investment in growth industries that offer higher wages 96% of Arizonans rate their community poorly for economic conditions. 76% do not believe the next generation will have a higher standard of living. WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? Work regionally on a solution to infrastructure financing which is needed to enhance economic development Continue to advocate for policies that encourage business expansion and create quality communities for businesses Partner with all educational institutions to attract and retain our educated workforce Expand education opportunities in all West Valley Communities The West Valley developed the regional Greater Maricopa Foreign Trade Zone to encourage growth of manufacturing in West Valley. Expansion of Career and Technical Education opportunities partnering West-MEC and Estrella Mountain Community College Glendale Machining Center, Buckeye Energy Campus Estrella Mountain Community College - lead partner 5-college consortium which was awarded $13.5 million Sun Corridor Get Into Energy 3 year Federal Grant

4 WEST VALLEY COLLABORATIVE RESPONSE TO THE ARIZONA WE WANT - GOAL 3 Water, Forests and Open Spaces Protection for Arizona s natural environment, water supplies and open spaces. Water management plans for all regions of Arizona statewide, regional and municipal. Policies that balance population growth with preserving open spaces. Of 14 features, Arizonans rate the state s natural beauty, outdoor parks and open spaces as its greatest assets. WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? West Valley Recreation Corridor 36 miles of trails from Tres Rios to Lake Pleasant Continue to promote alternative energy sources Enlighten citizens on impact of our water supply Lake Pleasant Regional Park & Marina Rio Vista Nature Habitat Tres Rios Nature Habitat and Nature Festival Pleasant Harbor at Lake Pleasant Luke Air Force continuing assurance of open space surrounding base Use of treated waste water to serve Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station

5 WEST VALLEY COLLABORATIVE RESPONSE TO THE ARIZONA WE WANT - GOAL 4 Infrastructure Build a modern, effective transportation system and infrastructure. Mass transit systems that connect communities throughout the urban regions of the state. New highways and roads to reduce congestion. Improvements in airports and rail systems to support trade. Statewide high-speed broadband. 22% of Arizonans rate their community highly for its highways and freeway system. Work regionally on a solution to infrastructure financing which is needed to enhance economic development Light rail extension to West Valley Potential BNSF Switchyard Create urban employment hubs to relieve freeway congestion Solution for Grand Avenue Interstate 11 Completion of Loop 303 Connecting I-10 to I-17 6 Airports in West Valley planned expansion of all Continuing study of Grand Avenue US 60 Critical conversations about demand for and supply of high speed broadband

6 WEST VALLEY COLLABORATIVE RESPONSE TO THE ARIZONA WE WANT - GOAL 5 Healthcare- Our Largest Economic Driver More doctors and healthcare professionals to provide primary healthcare services Health insurance that is publicly available to all Arizonans with payment assistance for those who need it. Healthcare insurance discounts for people who adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors. More doctors and healthcare professionals to provide primary healthcare services. 23% of Arizonans rate their community highly for accessible healthcare. Enhance existing and create new opportunities for all students and West Valley Citizens to expand workforce What s Happing Sun Health Banner Research Institute leading brain and tissue bank for Alzheimer s research Phoenix Children's Hospital opened a new facility in Avondale Cancer Treatment Center of America- Located 1 st Western U.S. Facility in Goodyear Plaza Companies the City of Peoria and Bio Accel began BioInspire, an Arizona based medical device incubator Avondale s Healthtech Corridor partnership with Tallwave to drive healthtech development along McDowell Road between 99 th Avenue and Avondale Boulevard

7 WEST VALLEY COLLABORATIVE RESPONSE TO THE ARIZONA WE WANT - GOAL 6 Young Talent Quality jobs, more places to gather, protection for the environment and a culture of openness and opportunity for all. Randall McDaniel Sports Complex in Avondale WHAT YOUNGER CITIZENS WANT? All of the above 6% of young Arizonans believe their community offers good job opportunities. 19% rate Arizona highly for its nightlife; 20% believe it s a good place to meet people. Young Arizonans believe leaders need to be willing to listen. FOR Enhance and expand all of our existing programs We believe fostering young talent begins in our schools and includes young families West Valley Youth Leadership Council WESTMARC/Leadership West have made a scholarship available to all West Valley graduating high school students wishing to continue their education in the West Valley Student leadership organizations (FFA, DECA, FCCLA, Skills USA, FBLA, HOSA) in all West-MEC high schools more than 5,000 students involved Arizona Broadway Theater and Peoria Performing Arts Center youth groups West Valley Arts council student outreach

8 WEST VALLEY COLLABORATIVE RESPONSE TO THE ARIZONA WE WANT - GOAL 7 Civic Engagement & Community Involvement Actions that influence Government More citizen participation in all aspects of civic life More Volunteers. More charitable giving at all levels. More neighborliness. More trust in the people around us. Key Civic Health Index Findings: 10% of Arizonans believe their elected officials represent their interests. West Valley Mayors & Managers monthly meetings Fighter Country Partnerships community leaders support group for Luke Air Force Base West Valley Chamber Alliance (Buckeye Valley, Glendale, Peoria, Southwest Valley, Surprise Regional & Wickenburg) West Valley Arts Council West Valley Mavericks are a group of distinguished young men who formed in 2012 to advance commerce, charity, culture and community in the west valley. West Valley Legislative Caucus FOR Partner with Arizona Town Hall for community outreach programs Continue to enhance and expand on all Encourage and engage more neighborliness

9 WEST VALLEY COLLABORATIVE RESPONSE TO THE ARIZONA WE WANT - GOAL 8 Quality of Life Quality Communities with a wide variety of world class and unique entertainment venues make the West Valley an ideal place for the whole family Major League Fun Arizona Cardinals Phoenix Coyotes Phoenix International Raceway with 2 NASCAR Races per year 9 of 15 Major League Baseball teams call the West Valley Home for Spring Training: Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Royals, Los Angles Dodges, Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mainers, Texas Rangers Arizona Challenger Center Wildlife World Zoo The Wigwam Resort and Country Club Rancho de Los Cabelleros