A big part of Scottsdale’s appeal is its unique geographic diversity, from its core urban setting in the south to the north with some of the most pristine desert in all of the Southwest. It didn’t happen by accident. It started with city residents agreeing to tax themselves to buy the land to create the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Now, 20 years and $1 billion later, the … [More]

The City of Scottsdale is nearing buildout and future land uses essentially are already established or soon will be. But there are three adjacent areas surrounding the city that will impact future uses in Scottsdale. -- The first is the “Rio Verde Foothills” area east of Scottsdale and north of the McDowell Mountain Regional Park. The 23-square-mile area is not incorporated … [More]

Decades of planning and long-standing partnerships have cultivated a business community in Scottsdale that supports innovation, welcomes diverse talent and celebrates business growth. Now, we are ready to continue building on that momentum with a new strategy to bolster Scottsdale’s economy. The past 18 months have been a trying time for everyone, especially businesses, yet … [More]

Scottsdale Airport is an economic driver for both the city and the region, located in a thriving airpark, one of three growth areas designated within the city.  Aviation activity at the airport and the Scottsdale Airpark created $1 billion in economic benefits for the region in FY 2019 and supported nearly 6,000 jobs with incomes of $320 million. Visitors arriving at the … [More]

Recent city surveys show that the majority of residents are happy living in Scottsdale and like the direction in which the city is heading. They’ll get a chance to vote to confirm that this fall. Arizona requires cities to adopt a comprehensive long-range general plan every 10 years. In June, the City Council adopted the Scottsdale General Plan 2035 and it will go to … [More]

From the 19th century well into the 21st century, tourism has been the backbone of Scottsdale’s local economy. Though it has diversified with the expansion of construction, high technology, healthcare and other industries, Scottsdale’s first industry, tourism, remains one of its largest — in jobs, tax revenue and economic impact. The industry’s beginnings were found at small … [More]

In light of the challenges from COVID-19 and the fact that Scottsdale’s economy is heavily supported by tourists who went missing for most of the year’s high season, this is a good time to consider what makes the city tick. To keep property values and amenities high and property taxes low, the city needs to generate economic activity from a variety of sources that produce … [More]