How Arizona Commerce Authority Was Established

what law created arizona commerce authority

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is an economic development organization that aims to advance Arizona's economy through the recruitment of quality companies and jobs, as well as the expansion of existing businesses in the state. The ACA is overseen by a public-private sector board, chaired by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, and composed of prominent business leaders, elected officials, and university presidents. The ACA's mission is to recruit out-of-state companies to expand their operations in Arizona, work with existing companies to grow their businesses, and partner with entrepreneurs to create new jobs and businesses in targeted industries. While I cannot find the exact law that created the ACA, there are several laws and sections that pertain to the ACA's board of directors and their conduct, such as 41-1502, which outlines the board's responsibilities, records, and audits.

Characteristics Values
Name Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA)
Mission Grow and strengthen Arizona's economy
Approach Recruit, grow, create
Board of directors Public-private sector board
Board chair Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs
Board members Private-sector business leaders, elected officials, university and community college presidents
Management Executive management team
Focus Recruitment of quality companies and jobs, expansion of existing companies
Industries Aerospace, bioscience, nanotechnology
Compliance Subject to conflicts of interest rules, records and meetings requirements, audit and reporting obligations

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The ACA's three-pronged approach: recruit, grow, create

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organisation, with a mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy. The ACA achieves this through a three-pronged approach: recruit, grow, create.

The first prong of this strategy is to recruit out-of-state companies to expand their operations in Arizona. This involves attracting businesses from other states to set up or expand their presence in the state, bringing new investment and job opportunities. For example, TSMC's $65+ billion investment in a high-tech fab in Arizona is expected to create 6,000 direct jobs.

The second prong focuses on working with existing companies to grow their businesses in Arizona and beyond. This involves supporting and developing companies that are already operating within the state, helping them to expand and succeed. This includes initiatives like Arizona's Digital Equity Plan, which aims to improve broadband access and ensure all communities are served.

The third prong of the ACA's strategy is to partner with entrepreneurs and companies, both large and small, to create new jobs and businesses in targeted industries. This includes initiatives like Venture Madness, Arizona's longest-running early-stage pitch event, which provides a platform for startups to compete and attract investors. The ACA also supports skills training pathways, such as Arizona's #Future48 Workforce Accelerators, to ensure Arizonans have the skills needed for the jobs of the future.

By implementing this three-pronged approach, the ACA aims to advance Arizona's economy, attract new investment, support existing businesses, and create new job opportunities for the state's residents. This strategy is overseen by a prestigious public-private sector board of directors, bringing together industry leaders, academia, and government officials, with Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs serving as chair.

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ACA's board of directors

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is a public-private partnership that works towards economic development in the state. The ACA's board of directors is chaired by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and is composed of the state's prominent private-sector business leaders, university and community college presidents, and elected officials. The board brings together leaders from private industry, academia, and all three branches of state government.

The ACA's board of directors includes Sandra Watson, who serves as the President & CEO of the organization. Watson is an economic development professional with over 30 years of experience in business attraction and expansion, innovation, entrepreneurship, economic policy, and workforce development. She also serves on Governor Hobbs' leadership team as her Senior Economic Policy Advisor.

Michael M. Crow, the sixteenth president of Arizona State University, is also a member of the ACA's board of directors. Crow is an academic leader and educator with a focus on knowledge enterprises and science and technology policy. He is guiding the transformation of Arizona State University into a leading public research university.

Danny Seiden is another member of the ACA's board, bringing more than 16 years of experience in global public affairs and government relations. He has also handled complex legal matters in private practice and public sector service.

The ACA's board of directors works to advance the state's economy through the recruitment of quality companies and jobs, as well as the expansion of existing companies in Arizona. The board oversees the organization's streamlined mission and ensures a focus on recruitment.

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Board meetings and public records

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is Arizona's leading economic development organisation. It is overseen by a public-private sector board of directors, bringing together industry, academia, and government. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs chairs the board, which also comprises prominent private-sector business leaders, university and community college presidents, and elected officials.

The ACA's board of directors holds regular meetings to discuss and make decisions regarding the organisation's operations and Arizona's economic development. Pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431 et seq., the agenda for these meetings is posted on the ACA's website and at 100 North 7th Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85007, at least 24 hours in advance. The ACA also makes the minutes of these meetings available to the public on its website.

The ACA's board of directors is responsible for overseeing the organisation's activities and ensuring that it fulfils its mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy. The board accomplishes this through a three-pronged approach: recruiting out-of-state companies to expand their operations in Arizona, working with existing companies to grow their businesses, and partnering with entrepreneurs and companies to create new jobs and businesses in targeted industries.

As a public entity, the ACA is subject to public records laws and transparency requirements. The ACA makes various records and notices available to the public, including meeting agendas and minutes, as previously mentioned. Additionally, the ACA publishes public notices regarding grants, requests for proposals (RFPs), and other initiatives. For example, the ACA has announced RFPs for consultative services for its trade offices in Japan, South Korea, and the Netherlands. These notices are published on the ACA's website and are accessible to anyone interested in doing business with or understanding the ACA's activities.

The ACA also collaborates with other state agencies, such as the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), to promote economic development in the state. For instance, they jointly announced the opening of the Request for Grant Applications (RGA) #2025-19 for Economic Strength Projects (ESP), a competitive grant program designed to enhance the economic strength of Arizona's rural communities by providing funding for highway projects that foster job growth.

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Conflict of interest

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is Arizona's leading economic development organisation, with a mission to grow and strengthen the state's economy. The ACA is overseen by a public-private sector board, chaired by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, and comprised of prominent business leaders, elected officials, and university presidents.

Given the ACA's role in economic development and the composition of its board, conflicts of interest could potentially arise. Arizona has in place a Conflicts of Interest & Commitment Policy, which applies to all University Employees, including faculty, staff, and student employees. The policy aims to protect the integrity and reputation of the University of Arizona by ensuring conflicts of interest are appropriately eliminated or managed and promoting objectivity in research.

The policy requires timely disclosure of Outside Interests, Outside Employment, Outside Commitments, Institutional Financial Interests, and Substantial Interests through the University's eDisclosure system. It also prohibits participation in any decision or contract where the employee or their relative has a substantial interest. For example, a public officer or employee must refrain from participating in any contract, sale, or purchase where they or their relative have a substantial interest and must disclose such interests in the official records.

Additionally, the policy addresses remote interests, which are defined as interests that are not direct but could still potentially influence decisions. This includes interests such as equity in a publicly traded entity valued at more than $100,000 or substantial gifts received from commercial research sponsors. By addressing both direct and remote interests, the policy aims to ensure that conflicts of interest are effectively managed and that the integrity of the University and its research is maintained.

Overall, the presence of a comprehensive Conflicts of Interest & Commitment Policy helps to safeguard against potential conflicts of interest that could arise in the context of the ACA's work and ensures that the ACA's activities are conducted with transparency and integrity.

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Cooperation with state agencies

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is a state economic development organisation with a mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy. The ACA's three-pronged approach to economic advancement involves recruiting out-of-state companies to expand their operations in Arizona, working with existing companies to grow their businesses, and partnering with entrepreneurs and companies to create new jobs and businesses in targeted industries.

The ACA is overseen by a public-private sector board, bringing together industry, academia, and government. The board is chaired by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and includes prominent private-sector business leaders, university and community college presidents, and elected officials.

The ACA's cooperation with state agencies is evident in its collaboration with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC). The ACC's mission is to power Arizona's future by ensuring safe, reliable, and affordable utility services, growing the state's economy, modernising government agencies, and protecting citizens through an ethical securities marketplace. The ACC oversees executive, legislative, and judicial proceedings related to water, electricity, telephone, and natural gas resources, as well as securities, pipeline, and railroad safety.

The ACA also works closely with the Arizona State Broadband Office, which has launched initiatives like the BEAD Challenge Process to ensure that underserved and unserved communities have access to broadband services. Additionally, the ACA has been an active participant in Venture Madness, Arizona's longest-running early-stage pitch event, showcasing the state's attractive investment landscape.

Furthermore, the ACA's cooperation with state agencies is reflected in its support for Arizona's Digital Equity Plan, which was accepted by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). This plan represents a collaborative effort to engage with communities across the state and ensure equitable access to digital resources.

The ACA's partnerships with state agencies, such as the ACC and the Arizona State Broadband Office, demonstrate its commitment to fostering economic growth, supporting local businesses, and ensuring that all Arizonans have access to the necessary resources and infrastructure for their success.

Frequently asked questions

The ACA is an economic development organization that focuses on advancing Arizona's economy through the recruitment of quality companies and jobs for the state.

The ACA uses a three-pronged approach: recruit, grow, create. They recruit out-of-state companies to expand their operations in Arizona, work with existing companies to grow their business, and partner with entrepreneurs and companies to create new jobs and businesses in targeted industries.

The ACA is overseen by a public-private sector board of directors, bringing together industry, academia, and government. The board is chaired by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and comprises prominent private-sector business leaders, university and community college presidents, and elected officials.

The ACA board is required to maintain accurate records of its proceedings, with public access to these records subject to specific guidelines. The board, executive committee, and subcommittees are subject to laws related to public meetings, with provisions for executive sessions to discuss sensitive business development matters. The ACA is also subject to conflict-of-interest laws, and the board adopts standards of conduct and gift policies for its members and employees. Annual audits of the ACA's public funds are conducted by an independent certified public accountant, with results filed with the auditor general.

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