activities · 33
what they do
direct service · 15
- Air Connectivity DevelopmentLaunches and supports nonstop air service to international destinations, such as Taipei, to strengthen direct air connectivity and facilitate trade and travel to and from the Greater Phoenix region.
- Air Travel and Cargo Facilitation Border and Airport Trade Infrastructure ManagementManages and promotes air travel and cargo operations through Phoenix Sky Harbor and Mesa Gateway airports, including facilitating nonstop international flights and handling significant volumes of imported and exported goods, contributing billions to the Arizona economy.
- Airport Economic Development and Promotion Border and Airport Trade Infrastructure ManagementPromotes the economic impact of Phoenix Sky Harbor and Mesa Gateway airports, including facilitating air cargo movement, passenger travel, and designating Mesa Gateway as a Foreign Trade Zone and Military Reuse Zone to attract businesses with tax incentives.
- Community Building Consortium (CBC) Stakeholder Coordination CouncilsManages the Community Building Consortium (CBC), a forum for commercial real estate professionals to evaluate competitor markets and collaborate with GPEC's teams to enhance Greater Phoenix's competitiveness.
- Community Building Consortium Management Stakeholder Coordination CouncilsManages the Community Building Consortium (CBC), a forum for commercial real estate professionals to evaluate competitor markets and collaborate with GPEC's teams to enhance Greater Phoenix's competitiveness.
- Economic Development Directors Team (EDDT) Regional Economic Strategy DevelopmentManages the Economic Development Directors Team (EDDT), a strategic leadership council of 24 community economic development leaders and regional utility partners, which advises GPEC's CEO and staff on local economic development trends and business location decisions.
- Economic Development Directors Team Management Regional Economic Strategy DevelopmentManages the Economic Development Directors Team (EDDT), a strategic leadership council of 24 community economic development leaders and regional utility partners, which advises GPEC's CEO and staff on local economic development trends and business location decisions.
- Economic Development Project Facilitation Business Expansion & Relocation SupportAssisted over 1,075 companies in establishing or expanding in Greater Phoenix, resulting in nearly 195,000 new jobs and over $76.5 billion in capital investment.
- GPEC Next Program Member Engagement & Ambassador ProgramsOperates GPEC Next, which leverages the expertise of its councils and advisory groups to shape key initiatives, foster job creation, enhance competitiveness, and support program implementation.
- GPEC Next Program Implementation Member Engagement & Ambassador ProgramsOperates GPEC Next, which leverages the expertise of its councils and advisory groups to shape key initiatives, foster job creation, enhance competitiveness, and support program implementation.
- Healthcare Innovation Council (HIC)Operates the Healthcare Innovation Council (HIC) to establish Greater Phoenix as a healthcare excellence center, enhancing the healthcare business ecosystem by growing regional assets and connecting providers with innovative products and practices.
- Healthcare Innovation Council OperationOperates the Healthcare Innovation Council (HIC) to establish Greater Phoenix as a healthcare excellence center, enhancing the healthcare business ecosystem by growing regional assets and connecting providers with innovative products and practices.
- Mayors and Supervisors Council Stakeholder Coordination CouncilsConvenes the GPEC Mayors and Supervisors Council quarterly to discuss regional competitiveness and policy, comprising Mayors from 22 represented communities and representatives from Maricopa and Pinal counties' Boards of Supervisors.
- Mayors and Supervisors Council Convening Stakeholder Coordination CouncilsConvenes the GPEC Mayors and Supervisors Council quarterly to discuss regional competitiveness and policy, comprising Mayors from 22 represented communities and representatives from Maricopa and Pinal counties' Boards of Supervisors.
- Site Selection and GIS Mapping Services Business Site Selection SupportAggregates comprehensive listings of value-based assets, unique buildings, and shovel-ready sites for businesses considering relocation or expansion, and prepares GIS mapping analysis to support site selection decisions.
advocacy · 4
- Incentives Analysis and Application Support Business Incentives and Trade Zone SupportCoordinates with state and local regulatory authorities to support companies with incentives analysis and preparation of applications for various programs.
- Infrastructure Improvement Advocacy Industry-Specific Business AdvocacyAdvocates for and supports policies like raising the program cap for Infrastructure Improvements for Manufacturing Facilities, which was increased to $200 million in 2023.
- Regulatory Coordination and Incentive Support Business Incentives and Trade Zone SupportCoordinates with state and local regulatory authorities to support incentives analysis and application preparation for companies, and designates areas like Mesa Gateway Airport as Foreign Trade Zones and Military Reuse Zones to enable access to special tax incentives.
- Regulatory and Incentive Coordination Business Incentives and Trade Zone SupportCoordinates with state and local regulatory authorities to support incentives analysis and application preparation for companies, and designates areas like Mesa Gateway Airport as Foreign Trade Zones to enable access to special tax incentives.
research · 6
- Asia-Pacific Trade and Export Analysis Economic Impact Research and Sector DevelopmentResearches and reports on trade data, such as the $13.1 billion in goods exported from Greater Phoenix to the Asia-Pacific region in 2024, and the tripling of exports and tenfold growth in imports through Phoenix Sky Harbor and Mesa Gateway airports to the Asia-Pacific region since 2015.
- Economic Impact and Cost Analysis Research Regional Cost and Compensation BenchmarkingConducts annual operating cost comparisons across major markets and analyzes transportation, real estate, tax incentives, and labor costs to estimate potential savings for businesses expanding or relocating to Greater Phoenix. This includes evaluating projects for their economic impact and community benefit.
- Economic Impact and Cost Analysis Research Regional Cost and Compensation BenchmarkingConducts annual operating cost comparisons across major markets to estimate cost savings for businesses expanding or relocating to Greater Phoenix, analyzing transportation, real estate, tax incentives, and labor costs, and evaluating projects for economic impact and community benefit.
- Industry Market Research and Reporting Regional Economic & Industry ResearchConducts and publishes market research reports focusing on prominent industries within the Greater Phoenix region.
- Market Research and Industry Reports Regional Economic & Industry ResearchConducts and publishes market research reports on prominent industries in the Greater Phoenix region, including analyses of export data and trends to specific regions like Asia-Pacific.
- Market Research and Industry Reports Regional Economic & Industry ResearchConducts and publishes market research reports on prominent industries in the Greater Phoenix region, including data on exports and imports to key international regions like Asia-Pacific.
capacity building · 8
- Business Relocation and Expansion Support Business Expansion & Relocation SupportAssists companies, including international firms, in establishing or expanding operations in Greater Phoenix by providing connections to community colleges, universities, workforce assets, and key business leaders, and by offering customized labor market analyses and site selection support.
- Business Relocation and Expansion Support Business Expansion & Relocation SupportAssists companies, including international firms, in establishing or expanding operations in Greater Phoenix by providing connections to community colleges, universities, key workforce assets, and business leaders, and by offering customized labor market analyses.
- Business Relocation and Expansion Support Business Expansion & Relocation SupportAssists companies in establishing or expanding operations in Greater Phoenix by providing labor market data, customized analyses, and connecting them with educational institutions, key business leaders, and site selection resources. This includes supporting international firms through specific programs and toolkits.
- Foreign-Owned Firm Support and Facilitation Business Expansion & Relocation SupportSupports 1,109 foreign-owned firms operating in Greater Phoenix, facilitating employment for 119,940 people and providing resources for international businesses expanding into the region.
- Foreign-Owned Firm Support and Facilitation Business Expansion & Relocation SupportSupports 1,109 foreign-owned firms operating in Greater Phoenix, facilitating employment for 119,940 people, and providing resources for international businesses expanding into the region.
- GPEC Ambassador Program Member Engagement & Ambassador ProgramsOperates the GPEC Ambassador Program, offering networking and learning opportunities, including business development forums and workshops, for employees of its investors and member communities.
- GPEC Ambassador Program Member Engagement & Ambassador ProgramsOperates the GPEC Ambassador Program, providing networking and learning opportunities, including business development forums and workshops, for employees of its investors and member communities.
- GPEC Ambassador Program Member Engagement & Ambassador ProgramsOperates the GPEC Ambassador Program, which offers networking and learning opportunities, including business development forums and workshops, for employees of its investors and member communities.
strategies · 18
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Advocacy for Business-Friendly Policies and Incentives policy_advocacyThe organization advocates for policies and incentives that attract new jobs and capital investment, such as income tax credits (e.g., Qualified Facilities program) for manufacturing and corporate headquarters, and supports infrastructure improvements by leveraging state statutes to fund public infrastructure costs for manufacturing facilities. It also utilizes Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) to provide benefits like duty deferral and exemptions for companies involved in importing and exporting.
- Advocacy for Business-Friendly Policy and Infrastructure economic development as infrastructureThe organization views economic development programs as core infrastructure tools, advocating for policies such as infrastructure improvement statutes and income tax credits (e.g., Qualified Facilities program) to de-risk critical investments, attract new jobs, and support manufacturing and corporate headquarters.
- Advocacy for Pro-Business Policies and Infrastructure trade-agreement-advocacyThe organization advocates for policies and programs that enhance regional competitiveness, such as the renewal of the USMCA, income tax credits (e.g., Qualified Facilities program), and the utilization of Foreign Trade Zones. It also supports infrastructure improvements by viewing economic development programs as core infrastructure tools that de-risk critical investments for businesses.
- Data-Driven Business Attraction and Expansion economic_benefits_analysisThe organization attracts and supports businesses by providing comprehensive, data-driven insights and tools, including market comparisons, economic benefits analysis, and GIS mapping for site selection, to demonstrate the financial advantages and optimal locations within the Greater Phoenix region.
- Data-Driven Business Attraction and Expansion Support data_driven_economic_analysisThe organization provides expert, confidential support to businesses considering expansion or relocation by offering detailed market comparisons, economic benefits analysis, labor and economic impact data, and streamlined real estate searches using tools like GIS mapping. This approach aims to quantify cost savings and demonstrate financial benefits to attract and grow quality businesses in the Greater Phoenix region.
- Data-Driven Business Attraction and Expansion Support economic_benefits_analysisThe organization provides expert, confidential support to businesses considering expansion or relocation by offering detailed market comparisons, economic benefits analyses, labor and economic impact data, and streamlined real estate searches using tools like GIS mapping. This approach aims to quantify cost savings and demonstrate financial benefits to attract and grow quality businesses in the Greater Phoenix region.
- Economic Development as Infrastructure for Smart Growth economic_development_as_infrastructureThe organization views its economic development programs as core infrastructure tools that enable smart growth and innovation by de-risking critical investments and infrastructure for businesses, focusing on regional competitiveness and driving high-value investment in future-oriented industries.
- Facilitating International Business Entry and Investment fdi_facilitationThe organization supports international firms entering the U.S. market through Greater Phoenix by offering a low-risk "soft landing" program, a comprehensive toolkit for international expansion, and a leadership council to guide investment, university collaboration, and site selection. This includes leveraging logistics and supply chain infrastructure to strengthen cross-border trade and advocating for trade agreements like USMCA to maintain foreign direct investment.
- Facilitating International Business Entry and Investment fdi_support_frameworkThe organization supports international firms entering the U.S. market through Greater Phoenix by offering a low-risk "soft landing" program, providing a comprehensive toolkit and leadership council for foreign direct investment, and establishing new direct international flights in response to investment flows to support growing international business activity.
- Future-Oriented Economic Development and Cross-Border Trade future-oriented economic developmentThe organization focuses on driving high-value investment in future-oriented industries to enhance regional competitiveness and smart growth. It also promotes economic development by leveraging logistics, supply chain infrastructure, and agribusiness to strengthen cross-border trade with Mexico and Canada.
- International Business Development and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) fdi_support_frameworkThe organization fosters economic growth by promoting cross-border trade, advocating for trade agreements, and providing a comprehensive support framework, including "soft landing" programs and investment-driven connectivity, to attract and facilitate foreign direct investment and international expansion into the Greater Phoenix region.
- Investment-Driven International Aviation Expansion aviation_as_economic_driverThe organization expands international flight connectivity by establishing new direct international flights, particularly in response to foreign direct investment flows, to support growing international business activity, tourism, and investment in the region.
- Public-Private Partnership for Regional Economic Development public-private partnershipThe organization operates as a public-private partnership to represent regional economic opportunities, advise global companies on location decisions, and drive high-value investment in future-oriented industries, thereby enhancing regional competitiveness and smart growth.
- Public-Private Partnership for Regional Economic Development public-private partnershipThe organization operates as a public-private partnership, engaging local businesses, community leaders, and state leadership to proactively support economic development. This model represents regional economic opportunities, advises global companies on location decisions, and leverages regional networks to support business connectivity and resource access.
- Public-Private Partnership for Regional Economic Growth public_private_partnershipThe organization operates as a public-private partnership, engaging local businesses, community leaders, and state leadership to proactively support economic development. This model represents regional economic opportunities, advises global companies on location decisions, and leverages investments from member communities and private investors to attract and grow quality businesses.
- Strategic Workforce Development and Talent Pipeline Creation workforce_pipeline_developmentThe organization supports business labor needs by providing data-driven insights on workforce availability and skills, coordinating with educational institutions (K-12, community colleges, universities) and industry leaders to develop specialized, customized training programs, and building a robust talent pipeline for high-growth sectors.
- Strategic Workforce Development and Talent Pipeline Creation data-driven workforce supportThe organization supports business labor needs by providing data-driven insights on workforce availability and skills, coordinating with higher education and industry leaders to develop specialized training programs, and extending workforce development efforts to K-12 education to strengthen the talent pipeline for high-growth sectors.
- Strategic Workforce Development and Talent Pipeline Creation data-driven workforce supportThe organization supports business labor needs and strengthens the talent pipeline by providing data-driven insights on workforce availability, coordinating with educational institutions (K-12 through higher education), and creating industry-led, customized training programs to develop a specialized workforce for high-growth sectors.
named programs · 5
what they call their work
Future48 Workforce Accelerator
A program at Central Arizona College in partnership with LG Energy Solution to train a talented workforce pipeline in critical industries.
International Insights Report
Publishes reports analyzing economic relationships, trade, and investment trends between Greater Phoenix/Arizona and international regions like Asia-Pacific and North America.
Microelectronics Industry Council
Convenes industry partners and academic experts at Arizona State University to collaborate on a unified vision for the regional semiconductor ecosystem.
Semiconductor Technician Quick Start program
A program at Maricopa Community Colleges to train a talented workforce pipeline in critical industries like semiconductors.
SkyBridge via Mesa Gateway Airport
The nation’s only inland international air logistics and customs facility with joint U.S.-Mexico customs inspections, designed to lower customs friction and boost regional trade readiness.
relationships · 27
who they work with
- Arizona Department of Transportation Government — Partner in infrastructure investments that support trade, including highway and rail upgrades under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
- Arizona State University Partner — Its Microelectronics Industry Council convenes industry partners and academic experts for the regional semiconductor ecosystem.
- Arizona State University W.P. Carey School of Business Partner — Partnered to produce the 2024 Economic Impact of the Phoenix Airport System study
- CBRE Partner — Cathy Teeter, Managing Director, Advisory & Transaction Services at CBRE, is a supporter of GPEC.
- Central Arizona College Partner — Partners on the Future48 Workforce Accelerator program for workforce development.
- Cox Business – Arizona Partner — Michael Banker, Sr. Manager, Strategic Client Teams at Cox Business – Arizona, is a participant in GPEC events and the Ambassador program.
- East Valley Institute of Technology Partner — Partners on programs to expose K-12 students to advanced manufacturing careers.
- FDI Markets Partner — Source of data on foreign direct investment projects, capital expenditures, and job creation from Canada and Mexico into Arizona and the U.S.
- Grand Canyon University Partner — Partners with TSMC for an 11-week course that can lead to job offers.
- Hamilton High School Partner — Partners on programs to expose K-12 students to advanced manufacturing careers.
- International Leadership Council Coalition — Leadership body guiding the development and implementation of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Toolkit for international businesses.
- International Trade Administration of U.S. Department of Commerce Partner — Source of U.S. trade data with Mexico and Canada, including exports and imports by sector.
- LG Energy Solution Partner — Partners with Central Arizona College on the Future48 Workforce Accelerator program.
- Lightcast Government — Source of labor market data for Greater Phoenix, cited as provider of 2025 Q3 wage and employment data.
- Maricopa Community Colleges Partner — Partners on the Semiconductor Technician Quick Start program for workforce development.
- Maricopa County Partner — Member community collaborating with GPEC on economic development initiatives.
- Maricopa County Partner — Public-private partnership representing the county.
- Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Partner — Representatives from the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors are part of the GPEC Mayors and Supervisors Council.
- Pinal County Partner — Member community collaborating with GPEC on economic development initiatives.
- Pinal County Partner — Public-private partnership representing the county.
- Pinal County Board of Supervisors Partner — Representatives from the Pinal County Board of Supervisors are part of the GPEC Mayors and Supervisors Council.
- Salt River Project (SRP) Partner — David Rousseau, President of Salt River Project (SRP), supports GPEC's role in advancing economic prosperity and aligning educational tracks with desired industries.
- TSMC Partner — Partners with Grand Canyon University for an 11-week course that can lead to job offers.
- West-MEC Partner — Partners on the STEM Academy program to expose K-12 students to advanced manufacturing careers.
- community college Partner — Collaborates with community colleges to connect businesses with workforce assets.
- state and local regulatory authorities Government — Coordinates with state and local regulatory authorities for incentives analysis and application support.
- university Partner — Collaborates with universities to connect businesses with workforce assets.