Our region is a geographic and economic gateway to
Mexico, providing a wealth of opportunity. Last year, $26
billion flowed through the Arizona-Sonora border in imports
and exports.

Journalist Gabrielle Fimbres has done an extraordinary
job of reporting on the growing industries in Mexico that
provide economic development on our side of the border.
Among them: transportation, manufacturing, produce, real
estate investments, technology, tourism and more.

Bottom line: 235,700 jobs in Arizona rely on trade with
Mexico. Nearly half of all winter produce consumed in the
U.S. comes through Nogales. Clusters of high-tech manufacturing
facilities are developing in Sonora, and as many
as 2,000 trucks cross the Arizona-Sonora border daily. As
the middle class grows in Mexico, more visitors come to our
state to spend their money, with an annual impact of $2.3
billion.

“It is extremely important for us to remain the port of
choice. It keeps Americans employed,” stated Margie Emmermann,
executive director of the Arizona-Mexico Commission,
the nonprofit 53-year-old organization that facilitates
economic growth.

Our special report also provides details on the expansion
and improvement of ports of entry, by land, by rail and by
sea, and the role they play in economic growth.

Special thanks to Linda Cormier, vice president and general
manager of the Tubac Golf Resort & Spa, who hosted
the BizTucson “mini summit” that provided a great setting
for interviews and photos of many of our expert sources.

Among the experts is Tucson Electric Power’s Larry
Lucero, who is serving as the first Tucson president of the
Arizona-Mexico Commission. This June, Tucson will host
the Arizona-Mexico Commission Summer 2012 Plenary
Session. Topics include growing cross-border business opportunities,
including renewable energy and aerospace &
defense. See page 81 for more details, or visit www.azmc.
org.

Arizona historically has shared rich business, cultural and
familial relationships with our neighbors to the south. Today,
with guidance from the Arizona-Mexico Commission,
the region stands poised to become a leader in international
trade, bringing prosperity and opportunity to both sides of
the border.

Steven E. Rosenberg
Publisher & Owner
BizTucson