Employment, Business Attraction/Retention and Tourism

Residents provided additional guidance to help craft economic and tourism goals, policies and actions in March 2025. Recordings of the meetings, meeting notes and the first draft of the working goals, policies and actions are linked to the right. The drafts will continue to be revised and updated online.

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.
Bed tax from group stays brings in revenue for the town. Expanding the number of events will result in additional room night stays and in turn, revenue for the Town.
OV’s proximity to Tucson (2nd largest city in AZ) strengthens our tourism efforts. Visitors can easily access Tucson’s attractions while staying in OV. Collaboration is crucial. Oro Valley can partner with neighboring towns, local businesses, and regional tourism boards to create enticing packages and promote cross-destination travel.
Embracing nature and adventure, sustainability, culture, digital marketing & technology, infrastructure development, and collaboration, Oro Valley can position itself as a premier tourism destination.
In the past 10 years, OV has experienced an increase in online sales and consumers using drive-thru or pick-up areas. The need to redevelop and reuse big box stores will continue to increase.
Retail relies on people, income, and traffic to be successful. Locating higher-density residential near commercial areas is something the community may want to consider to support more retail development.

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 63% think OV should be known as a good place to start or operate a business	Higher paying jobs, quality employers, diversify workforce, industries for the future
Priorities for Employment	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
Priorities for Business Attraction/Retention and Tourism	55% think OV should be more self-sufficient with options to live, work and play.	More restaurants, stores, amenities and things to do.
	61% want more restaurants and retail	Attract small and local businesses
	51% prioritized visitor and tourist attractions	Make OV a destination
	41% prioritized hotels and resorts	More hotels, high-end resorts, 5-star hotels
	24% of suggestions were related to keeping businesses open	Fill empty storefronts, use existing spaces, support businesses, need more people to traffic businesses, lack of customers

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

Foster a broad range of shopping, entertainment, events, and dining options:

Fill empty storefronts and redevelop existing buildings
Increase customer base to retain and attract new businesses
Attract and support more local businesses
Increase tourism to support OV’s resorts, hotels and businesses

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.
Bed tax from group stays brings in revenue for the town. Expanding the number of events will result in additional room night stays and in turn, revenue for the Town.
OV’s proximity to Tucson (2nd largest city in AZ) strengthens our tourism efforts. Visitors can easily access Tucson’s attractions while staying in OV. Collaboration is crucial. Oro Valley can partner with neighboring towns, local businesses, and regional tourism boards to create enticing packages and promote cross-destination travel.
Embracing nature and adventure, sustainability, culture, digital marketing & technology, infrastructure development, and collaboration, Oro Valley can position itself as a premier tourism destination.
In the past 10 years, OV has experienced an increase in online sales and consumers using drive-thru or pick-up areas. The need to redevelop and reuse big box stores will continue to increase.
Retail relies on people, income, and traffic to be successful. Locating higher-density residential near commercial areas is something the community may want to consider to support more retail development.

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 63% think OV should be known as a good place to start or operate a business	Higher paying jobs, quality employers, diversify workforce, industries for the future
Priorities for Employment	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
Priorities for Business Attraction/Retention and Tourism	55% think OV should be more self-sufficient with options to live, work and play.	More restaurants, stores, amenities and things to do.
	61% want more restaurants and retail	Attract small and local businesses
	51% prioritized visitor and tourist attractions	Make OV a destination
	41% prioritized hotels and resorts	More hotels, high-end resorts, 5-star hotels
	24% of suggestions were related to keeping businesses open	Fill empty storefronts, use existing spaces, support businesses, need more people to traffic businesses, lack of customers

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

Foster a broad range of shopping, entertainment, events, and dining options:

Fill empty storefronts and redevelop existing buildings
Increase customer base to retain and attract new businesses
Attract and support more local businesses
Increase tourism to support OV’s resorts, hotels and businesses

Forum

Discussions: All (7) Open (0)

1. What factors are needed to attract high-quality employers to OV?
about 2 months ago
Share 1. What factors are needed to attract high-quality employers to OV? on Facebook Share 1. What factors are needed to attract high-quality employers to OV? on Twitter Share 1. What factors are needed to attract high-quality employers to OV? on Linkedin Email 1. What factors are needed to attract high-quality employers to OV? link

8 Responses

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- Resident Guidance: According to a statistically projectable survey, 58% think OV should be known for its employment opportunities. Higher paying jobs, quality employers, diversify workforce, industries of the future. 61% prioritized workforce attraction and retention. Need more services and entertainment, affordable housing options, things to do. With regards to industries, residents prioritized the following:
  - 60% prioritized entrepreneurship
  - 69% prioritized medical/health
  - 59% prioritized research/tech parks
  - 48% prioritized small office complexes. Tech/biomed employment center, tech parks
- Existing Conditions: The key to OV’s economic development success is creating new businesses or spin-off businesses in key industries – bio-life, aerospace and defense. With limited land remaining, recruiting distribution centers, supply chain businesses, etc. is difficult.
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Replies Closed
2. What factors would help employers attract and retain quality industry workers?
about 2 months ago
Share 2. What factors would help employers attract and retain quality industry workers? on Facebook Share 2. What factors would help employers attract and retain quality industry workers? on Twitter Share 2. What factors would help employers attract and retain quality industry workers? on Linkedin Email 2. What factors would help employers attract and retain quality industry workers? link

10 Responses

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- Resident Guidance: According to a statistically projectable survey, 58% think OV should be known for its employment opportunities. Higher paying jobs, quality employers, diversify workforce, industries of the future. 61% prioritized workforce attraction and retention. Need more services and entertainment, affordable housing options, things to do. With regards to industries, residents prioritized the following:
  - 60% prioritized entrepreneurship
  - 69% prioritized medical/health
  - 59% prioritized research/tech parks
  - 48% prioritized small office complexes. Tech/biomed employment center, tech parks
- Existing Conditions: The key to OV’s economic development success is creating new businesses or spin-off businesses in key industries – bio-life, aerospace and defense. With limited land remaining, recruiting distribution centers, supply chain businesses, etc. is difficult.
Go to discussion

Replies Closed
3. How could OV help shopping centers attract and retain retail, restaurants and services the community desires?
about 2 months ago
Share 3. How could OV help shopping centers attract and retain retail, restaurants and services the community desires? on Facebook Share 3. How could OV help shopping centers attract and retain retail, restaurants and services the community desires? on Twitter Share 3. How could OV help shopping centers attract and retain retail, restaurants and services the community desires? on Linkedin Email 3. How could OV help shopping centers attract and retain retail, restaurants and services the community desires? link

8 Responses

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Please consider small and local businesses too. Also note, the Town does not select tenants or set rent/land prices for private property.
- Resident Guidance: According to statistically projectable surveys, 55% think OV should be more self-sufficient with options to live, work, and play. More restaurants, stores, amenities, things to do. 24% of economic development-related suggestions were related to keeping businesses open. Fill empty storefronts, use existing spaces, support businesses, more population to traffic businesses, lack of customers and attracting small/local businesses were common phrases used. 61% want more restaurants and retail.
- Existing conditions: The need to redevelop and reuse big box stores will continue to increase. Oro Valley’s Business Recruitment, Retention and Expansion program includes one-on-one visits, local, state and federal incentives.
Go to discussion

Replies Closed
4. What conditions are needed to increase the customer base for businesses?
about 2 months ago
Share 4. What conditions are needed to increase the customer base for businesses? on Facebook Share 4. What conditions are needed to increase the customer base for businesses? on Twitter Share 4. What conditions are needed to increase the customer base for businesses? on Linkedin Email 4. What conditions are needed to increase the customer base for businesses? link

7 Responses

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- Resident Guidance: According to statistically projectable surveys, 55% think OV should be more self-sufficient with options to live, work, and play. More restaurants, stores, amenities, things to do. 24% of economic development-related suggestions were related to keeping businesses open. Fill empty storefronts, use existing spaces, support businesses, more population to traffic businesses, lack of customers and attracting small/local businesses were common phrases used. 61% want more restaurants and retail.
- Existing conditions: The need to redevelop and reuse big box stores will continue to increase. Oro Valley’s Business Recruitment, Retention and Expansion program includes one-on-one visits, local, state and federal incentives.
Go to discussion

Replies Closed
5. What existing places or characteristics should OV promote to become a tourist destination?
about 2 months ago
Share 5. What existing places or characteristics should OV promote to become a tourist destination? on Facebook Share 5. What existing places or characteristics should OV promote to become a tourist destination? on Twitter Share 5. What existing places or characteristics should OV promote to become a tourist destination? on Linkedin Email 5. What existing places or characteristics should OV promote to become a tourist destination? link

7 Responses

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- Resident Guidance: According to statistically projectable surveys, 51% prioritized visitor and tourist attractions and 41% prioritized hotels and resorts. Make OV a destination, more hotels, high-end resorts, 5-star resorts were common phrases from events and online.
- Existing Condition: Bed tax from group stays brings in revenue for the town. Embracing nature and adventure, sustainability, culture, digital marketing & technology, infrastructure development, and collaboration, Oro Valley can position itself as a premier tourism destination.
Go to discussion

Replies Closed
6. How could OV best support existing hotels and resorts?
about 2 months ago
Share 6. How could OV best support existing hotels and resorts? on Facebook Share 6. How could OV best support existing hotels and resorts? on Twitter Share 6. How could OV best support existing hotels and resorts? on Linkedin Email 6. How could OV best support existing hotels and resorts? link

6 Responses

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- Resident Guidance: According to statistically projectable surveys, 51% prioritized visitor and tourist attractions and 41% prioritized hotels and resorts. Make OV a destination, more hotels, high-end resorts, 5-star resorts were common phrases from events and online.
- Existing Condition: Bed tax from group stays brings in revenue for the town. Embracing nature and adventure, sustainability, culture, digital marketing & technology, infrastructure development, and collaboration, Oro Valley can position itself as a premier tourism destination.
Go to discussion

Replies Closed
7. What types of NEW attractions, programs, regional events/tournaments/festivals should OV explore to increase tourism, and visitor stays at hotels and resorts?
about 2 months ago
Share 7. What types of NEW attractions, programs, regional events/tournaments/festivals should OV explore to increase tourism, and visitor stays at hotels and resorts? on Facebook Share 7. What types of NEW attractions, programs, regional events/tournaments/festivals should OV explore to increase tourism, and visitor stays at hotels and resorts? on Twitter Share 7. What types of NEW attractions, programs, regional events/tournaments/festivals should OV explore to increase tourism, and visitor stays at hotels and resorts? on Linkedin Email 7. What types of NEW attractions, programs, regional events/tournaments/festivals should OV explore to increase tourism, and visitor stays at hotels and resorts? link

5 Responses

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- Resident Guidance: According to statistically projectable surveys, 51% prioritized visitor and tourist attractions and 41% prioritized hotels and resorts. Make OV a destination, more hotels, high-end resorts, 5-star resorts were common phrases from events and online.
- Existing Condition: Bed tax from group stays brings in revenue for the town. Embracing nature and adventure, sustainability, culture, digital marketing & technology, infrastructure development, and collaboration, Oro Valley can position itself as a premier tourism destination.
Go to discussion

Replies Closed

Page last updated: 27 Mar 2025, 11:12 AM

Employment, Business Attraction/Retention and Tourism

1. What factors are needed to attract high-quality employers to OV?

2. What factors would help employers attract and retain quality industry workers?

3. How could OV help shopping centers attract and retain retail, restaurants and services the community desires?

4. What conditions are needed to increase the customer base for businesses?

5. What existing places or characteristics should OV promote to become a tourist destination?

6. How could OV best support existing hotels and resorts?

7. What types of NEW attractions, programs, regional events/tournaments/festivals should OV explore to increase tourism, and visitor stays at hotels and resorts?

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