A comparative analysis of peer cities in 10 industry sectors has given Phoenix high marks in a number of areas, providing local economic developers with valuable ammunition in the national battle to attract high-wage jobs.

The Greater Phoenix Economic Council last summer commissioned IBM Global Location Services to conduct the assessment, which was initiated last September. The study did not assess performance in the sectors, but rather how companies and relocation consultants perceive the region.

"This was not designed to give us a true picture of ourselves, but to give us the picture that these consultants paint for their clients," GPEC President Rick Weddle told the Arizona Republic. "This is the report they would prepare for the company before they called us."

Phoenix scored well in electronics, aerospace manufacturing, life sciences, and research and development against such cities as Austin; Raleigh, N.C.; Los Angeles; San Diego; Seattle; San Jose; Dallas; Atlanta; and Denver. Strengths cited for the region included low operating costs, transportation infrastructure, and quality of life.

The area's Achilles' heel was its workforce limitations, particularly in industries with demand for high-level skills.

"If we are going to be sustainably competitive in this next century, we're going to have to concentrate on improving the skill sets in our existing labor pool," Weddle said.

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For more information:

"Study may aid efforts to lure high-pay jobs," Arizona Republic, 02/08/2004