Several qualities make Phoenix attractive to small-business owners, who are helping to strengthen and expand the local economy, Todd Sanders, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce (GPCC), told Arizona Business Daily.
“As the fifth-largest city in the United States, Phoenix is a dynamic metropolitan area and is home to innovative entrepreneurs with a ‘can do’ attitude,” Sanders said.
“Phoenix provides the opportunity to roll up your sleeves and get involved, if you want to,” Sanders said about a city that also has made strides in recent years to diversify its economy to include more health care and manufacturing businesses.
The city is also known for embracing its small-business sector, the National Federation of Independent Business said. The group ranked Phoenix as one of the top five U.S. cities for opening and operating a small business.
“There’s a very entrepreneurial spirit in the state of Arizona,” Sanders said. “It’s much easier for entrepreneurs to get in, get going and launch a business, as well as easier to navigate the system.”
There’s also the approachability factor, Sanders said, as elected officials, the mayor and legislators are extremely accessible to meet with business owners.
“As a growing community, leaders at the state level are clearly committed to policies that continue to encourage new businesses to move here and existing businesses to grow,” Sanders told Arizona Business Daily. “Phoenix makes a tremendous effort with a business-friendly regulatory framework and a business-friendly tax structure.”
Additionally, a multitude of resources and assistance are available for all types of businesses, including resources provided by the GPCC’s Small Business Leadership Council, which serves as an advocate for small businesses within the chamber.
The council also offers “professional development training, unique educational programs and networking opportunities to enable our members to expand their business,” Sanders said.
Other attractive factors in Arizona include the more-than-130 institutions of higher education that support the growth of industries statewide “with specific in-demand training and a specialized curriculum to fill skilled positions,” Sanders said.
“Because Greater Phoenix is growing exponentially, there is a great selection of potential employees to work for the small businesses that set up shop here in Arizona,” and more talented job seekers will relocate in search of opportunities, Sanders said.
“Phoenix's entrepreneurial culture and rebounding economy continue to attract many new residents each year,” Sanders said.
At the same time, the GPCC, through its Phoenix Forward collaborative economic development initiative with the City of Phoenix, Maricopa County and the Arizona Commerce Authority, “is steadfastly engaged in retaining existing Arizona businesses and helping them grow,” Sanders said.
“Strong businesses are a vital part of a bright future,” Sanders said.