Employment
 | Calling all residents! Join a Resident Working Group to craft goals, policies and implementation actions that lead to real results in the community. Don't wait, sign-up now to help shape OV's future. JOIN HERE! |
An online kick-off event for all Resident Working Group is scheduled for January 28, 2025, from 5:30-7:30 PM. Resident working group members are encouraged to attend to meet other group members, learn about your important role and how to participate.
Meeting ID: 842 7345 7255 Passcode: 361749Phone option: +17193594580,84273457255#Click HERE for instructions on how to use Zoom. Questions? Contact OVPathForward@orovalleyaz.gov. |
The OV's Path Forward Background Report, available HERE, provides key trends and conditions that should be considered when planning for OV's future.
- In the past 10 years, the need for distribution centers, supply chain businesses, rail or interstate-served sites increased regionally. Oro Valley has a significant challenge in recruiting these types of primary employers due to the lack of large vacant parcels (over 30 acres) and rail or interstate access.
- The key to Oro Valley’s economic development success will be to focus on creating new businesses or spin-off businesses in our key industries—bio-life and sciences; emerging tech; and aerospace and defense.
- Oro Valley's Primary Employer Incentive Program facilitates long-term community financial sustainability through the generation of new primary job opportunities and capital investment in the Town.
- In partnership with Startup Tucson, Oro Valley offers a hands-on class designed to give current and aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to create and incubate a business idea.
OV has a high percentage of commuters with 87.6% of workers leaving and 82.5% coming into town daily.
During Phase 1 (October 2023 - October 2024), residents shared their ideas, priorities and expectations for OV's future through the BIG Community Survey, 93 events, and online discussions. The phone survey method is statistically projectable to all OV adults. This means 50% represents 20,593 residents.
The percentages represent responses to various question types. Higher percentages relate to questions where residents rated specific options. Low percentages relate to open-ended questions that allowed a wide variety of responses.
A summary of resident responses is available HERE with key points shown below:
| Statistically Projectable Survey Responses | Common Phrases from Events and Online | |
| Values | 58% think OV should be known for its employment opportunities | Higher paying jobs, quality employers, diversify workforce, industries for the future |
| Priorities | 61% prioritized workforce attraction and retention | Need for more services and entertainment, affordable housing options, and things to do to attract professionals |
| 60% prioritized entrepreneurship | Tech/bio-med employment centers, tech parks | |
| 69% prioritized medical/health facilities | ||
| 59% prioritized research/tech parks | ||
| 48% prioritized small office complexes | ||
The draft guiding principles are based on the community guidance provided during Phase 1. Underlined words were derived directly from resident responses.
Grow the number of high-quality employment opportunities:
- Diversify the type of industries and job opportunities
- Attract employers who offer high-paying jobs
- Attract and retain workers by promoting quality schools, housing, parks, and things to do
- Foster entrepreneurship
- Expand research and development, bioscience, and emerging tech industries
