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Contract No. 2023-001
AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE GREATER PHOENIX ECONOMIC COUNCIL
AND THE TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
The Town Council of the TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS, a municipal corporation (the “Town”), has
approved participation in and support of the regional economic development program of the GREATER PHOENIX
ECONOMIC COUNCIL (“GPEC”), an Arizona non-profit corporation. The purpose of this agreement
(“Agreement”) is to set forth the regional economic development program that GPEC agrees to undertake, the support
that the Town agrees to provide, the respective roles of GPEC and the Town and the payments of the Town to GPEC
for the fiscal year July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023 (“FY2023”).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the TOWN and GPEC
agree as follows:
I. RESPONSIBILITIES OF GPEC
A. MISSION: Attract and grow quality businesses and advocate for Greater Phoenix’s competitiveness.
B. GOALS: GPEC is guided by and strategically focused on two specific long-range goals:
1. Marketing the region to generate qualified business/industry prospects in targeted economic
clusters
2. Leveraging public and private allies and resources to locate qualified prospects, improve
overall competitiveness, and sustain organizational vitality
C. RETENTION AND EXPANSION POLICY:
1. GPEC’s primary role is developing the Greater Phoenix region’s market intelligence strategy
for high wage, base industry clusters in coordination with representatives of GPEC member
communities.
2. Retention and expansion of existing businesses within GPEC member communities is
primarily a local issue.
3. GPEC will support its member communities’ efforts to retain and expand existing businesses
through coordinating regional support and providing research on key retention and
expansion projects.
4. GPEC will advise its member communities when an existing company contacts GPEC
regarding a retention or expansion issue, subject to any legal or contractual non-disclosure
obligations.
D. ACTION PLAN AND BUDGET: In accordance with the Mission, Goals and Retention and
Expansion Policy set forth above, and subject to the availability of adequate funding, GPEC shall
implement the Action Plan and Budget adopted by GPEC’s Board of Directors, a copy of which has
been delivered to the Town and receipt of which is hereby acknowledged. A summary of the Action
Plan is attached hereto as Exhibit A (“GPEC Action Plan”). The Town shall be informed of any
changes in the adopted GPEC Action Plan which will materially affect or alter the priorities
established therein. Such notification will be in writing and will be made prior to implementation of
such changes.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Town acknowledges and agrees that GPEC may, in its
reasonable judgment and in accordance with its own practices and procedures, substitute, change,
reschedule, cancel or defer certain events or activities described in the GPEC Action Plan as required
by a result of changing market conditions, funding availability, unforeseen expenses or other
circumstances beyond GPEC’s reasonable control. GPEC shall solicit the input of the Town on the
formulation of future marketing strategies and advertisements. The GPEC Action Plan will be revised
to reflect any agreed upon changes to the GPEC Action Plan.
E. PERFORMANCE TARGETS: Specific performance targets, established by GPEC’s Executive
Committee and Board of Directors, are attached hereto as Exhibit B (“GPEC Performance
Measures”) and shall be used to evaluate and report progress on GPEC’s implementation of the
GPEC Action Plan.
In the event of changing market conditions, funding availability, unforeseen expenses or
other circumstances beyond GPEC’s reasonable control, these performance targets may be revised
with the Town’s prior written approval, or with the prior written approval of a majority of the
designated members of GPEC’s Economic Development Directors Team (“EDDT”). GPEC will
provide monthly reports to the Town discussing in detail its progress in implementing the GPEC
Action Plan as well as reporting the numerical results for each performance measurement set forth
in Exhibit B. GPEC shall provide a copy of its annual external audit for the preceding fiscal year to
the Town no later than December 31, 2022.
In the case of any benchmark which is not met, GPEC will meet with the EDDT to provide
an explanation of the relevant factors and circumstances and discuss the approach to be taken in order
to achieve the target(s). Failure to meet a performance target will not, by itself, constitute an event
of default hereunder unless GPEC (i) fails to inform the Town of such event or (ii) fails to meet with
EDDT to present a plan for improving its performance during the balance of the term of the
Agreement, which, if GPEC fails to comply with either step, will constitute an event of default for
which the Town may terminate this Agreement pursuant to paragraph IV.J. below.
II. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TOWN
A. STAFF SUPPORT OF GPEC EFFORTS: The Town shall provide staff support to GPEC’s
economic development efforts as follows:
1. The Town shall respond to leads or prospects referred by GPEC in a professional manner
within the time frame specified by the lead or prospect if the Town desires to compete and
if the lead is appropriate for the Town. When available, the Town agrees to provide its
response in the format developed jointly by EDDT and GPEC;
2. The Town shall provide appropriate local hospitality, tours and briefings for prospects
visiting sites in the Town;
3. The Town shall provide an official economic development representative to represent the
Town on the EDDT, which advises GPEC’s President and CEO;
4. The Town shall cooperate in the implementation of GPEC/EDDT process improvement
recommendations including the use of common presentation formats, exchange of
information on prospects with GPEC's staff, the use of shared data systems, land and building
data bases and private sector real estate industry interfaces;
5. The Town shall use its best efforts to respond to special requests by GPEC for particularized
information about the Town within three business days after the receipt of such request;
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6. In order to enable GPEC to be more sensitive to the Town’s requirements, the Town may, at
its sole option, deliver to GPEC copies of any Town approved economic development
strategies, work plan, programs and evaluation criteria. GPEC shall not disclose the same to
the other participants in GPEC or their representatives;
7. The Town shall utilize its best good faith efforts to cause an economic development
professional representing the Town to attend all marketing events and other functions to
which the Town has committed itself; and
8. The Town agrees to work with GPEC to improve the Town’s Competitiveness and market
readiness to support the growth and expansion of the targeted industries as identified for the
Town in Exhibit C (“Targeted Industries”).
B. RECOGNITION OF GPEC: The Town agrees to recognize GPEC as the Town’s officially
designated regional economic development organization for marketing the Greater Phoenix region.
III. ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES:
A. PARTICIPATION IN MARKETING EVENTS AND PROVISION OF TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE: Representative(s) of the Town shall be entitled to participate in GPEC’s marketing
events provided that such participation shall not be at GPEC's expense. When requested and
appropriate, GPEC will use its best efforts to provide technical assistance and support to Town
economic development staff for business location prospects identified and qualified by the Town and
assist the Town with presentations to the prospect in the Town or the prospect’s corporate location.
B. COMPENSATION:
1. The Town agrees to pay $11,707 for services to be provided by GPEC pursuant to the
Agreement during the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2023, as set forth in this Agreement.
This amount is based on $.4897 per capita, based up on the 2021 Office of Economic
Opportunity population estimate, which listed the Town as having a population of 23,906.
The payment by the Town may, upon the mutual and discretionary approval of the board of
directors of GPEC and the Town Council, be increased or decreased from time to time during
the term hereof in accordance with the increases or decreases of general application in the
per capita payments to GPEC by other municipalities which support GPEC.
2. Funding of this Agreement shall be subject to the annual appropriations of funds for this
activity by the Town Council pursuant to the required budget process of the Town;
3. Nothing herein shall preclude the Town from contracting separately with GPEC for services
to be provided in addition to those to be provided hereunder, upon terms and conditions to
be negotiated by the Town and GPEC; and
4. GPEC shall submit an invoice for payment on an annual basis. The foregoing
notwithstanding, if GPEC has not provided the Town with the audit required pursuant to
paragraph I.E. above no later than December 31, 2022, no payments shall be made hereunder
until the Town receives the audit report. Invoices and monthly activity reports, substantially
in the form of Exhibit D (“Reporting Mechanism for Contract Fulfillment”) attached hereto,
are to be submitted to the address listed under paragraph IV.P.
C. COOPERATION:
1. The parties acknowledge that GPEC is a cooperative organization effort among GPEC and
its member communities. Accordingly, the Town and GPEC covenant and agree to work
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together in a productive and harmonious manner, to cooperate in furthering GPEC’s goals
for FY2023. The Town and GPEC further covenant and agree to comply with the Regional
Cooperation Protocol, attached hereto as Exhibit F, in all material respects.
2. The Town agrees to work with GPEC, as necessary or appropriate, to revise the performance
measures, and/or benchmarks, and/or goals for the FY2024 contract.
3. The Town agrees to work with GPEC during FY2023 to develop a revised public sector
funding plan, including a regional allocation formula for FY2024, if determined to be
necessary or appropriate.
IV. GENERAL PROVISIONS:
A. COVENANT AGAINST CONTINGENT FEES: GPEC warrants that no person or selling agent
has been employed or retained to solicit or secure this contract upon an agreement or understanding
for a commission, percentage, brokerage, or contingent fee. For a breach or violation of this warranty,
the Town shall have the right to terminate this Agreement without liability or, in its discretion, to
deduct the commission, brokerage or contingent fee from its payment to GPEC.
B. PAYMENT DEDUCTION OFFSET PROVISION: GPEC recognizes the provisions of the Town
Code of the Town of Fountain Hills which require and demand that no payment be made to any
contractor as long as there is any outstanding obligation due to the Town, and directs that any such
obligation be offset against payment due to GPEC.
C. ASSIGNMENT PROHIBITED: No party to this agreement may assign any right or obligation
pursuant to this Agreement. Any attempted or purported assignment of any right or obligation
pursuant to this Agreement shall be void and no effect.
D. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR; NO AGENCY: Nothing contained in this Agreement creates
any partnership, joint venture or agency relationship between the Town and GPEC. At all times
during the term of this Agreement, GPEC shall be an independent contractor and shall not be an
employee of Town. Town shall have the right to control GPEC only insofar as to the results of
GPEC's services rendered pursuant to this Agreement. GPEC shall have no authority, express or
implied, to act on behalf of Town in any capacity whatsoever as an agent. GPEC shall have no
authority, express or implied, pursuant to this Agreement to bind Town to any obligation whatsoever.
E. INDEMNIFICATION AND HOLD HARMLESS: During the term of this Contract, and to the
fullest extent permitted by law, GPEC shall indemnify, defend, hold, protect and save harmless the
Town and any and all of its Councilmembers, officers and employees for, from and against any and
all actions, suits, proceedings, claims and demands, loss, liens, costs, expense and liability of any
kind and nature whatsoever, for injury to or death of persons, or damage to property, including
property owned by Town, brought, made, filed against, imposed upon or sustained by the Town, its
officers, or employees in and arising from or attributable to or caused directly or indirectly by the
negligence, wrongful acts, omissions or from operations conducted by GPEC, its directors, officers,
agents or employees acting on behalf of GPEC and with GPEC’s knowledge and consent.
Any party entitled to indemnity shall notify GPEC in writing of the existence of any claim,
demand or other matter to which GPEC's indemnification obligations would apply, and shall give to
GPEC a reasonable opportunity to defend the same at its own expense and with counsel reasonably
satisfactory to the indemnified party.
Nothing in this Subsection E shall be deemed to provide indemnification to any indemnified
party with respect to any liabilities arising from the fraud, negligence, omissions or willful
misconduct of such indemnified party.
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F. INSURANCE: GPEC shall procure and maintain for the duration of this Agreement, at GPEC's own
cost and expense, insurance against claims for injuries to persons or damages to property which may
arise from or in connection with this Agreement by GPEC, its agents, representatives, employees or
contractors, in accordance with the Insurance Requirements set forth in Exhibit E (“Insurance
Requirements”), attached hereto. The Town acknowledges that it has received and reviewed evidence
of GPEC’s insurance coverage in effect as of the execution of this Agreement.
G. GRATUITIES: The Town may, by written notice to GPEC, terminate the right of GPEC to proceed
under this Agreement upon one (1) calendar day notice, if it is found that gratuities in the form of
entertainment, gifts, or otherwise were offered or given by GPEC, or any agent or representative of
GPEC, to any officer or employee of the Town with a view toward securing a contract or securing
favorable treatment with respect to the awarding or amending, or the making of any determinations
with respect to the performance of such contract; provided that the existence of the facts upon which
the Town makes such findings shall be an issue and may be reviewed in any competent court. In the
event of such termination, the Town shall be entitled to pursue all legal and equitable remedies
against GPEC available to the Town. Activities by an officer or employee of the Town while engaged
in official business with GPEC, including travel shall not be deemed a gratuity.
H. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY. During the performance of this Agreement, GPEC
agrees as follows:
1. GPEC will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of
race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age or disability. GPEC shall
take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated
during employment without regard to their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation,
national origin, age or disability. Such action shall include, but not be limited to, the
following: employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer, recruitment or recruitment
advertising, layoff or termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and selection
for training, including apprenticeship. GPEC agrees to post in conspicuous places, available
to employees and applicants for employment, notices setting forth the provisions of this
nondiscrimination clause.
2. GPEC will, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees place by or on behalf of
GPEC, state that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without
regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age or disability.
3. GPEC will cause the foregoing provisions to be inserted in all subcontracts for any work
covered by this Agreement, provided that the foregoing provisions shall not apply to
Agreements or subcontracts for standard commercial supplies or new materials.
4. Upon request by the Town, GPEC shall provide Town with information and data concerning
action taken and results obtained in regard to GPEC's Equal Employment Opportunity efforts
performed during the term of this Agreement. Such reports shall be accomplished upon
forms furnished by the Town or in such other format as the Town shall prescribe.
I. COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS REQUIRED. GPEC
understands and acknowledges the applicability of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986,
the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1989 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, and agrees to
comply therewith in performing under any resultant agreement and to permit Town inspection of its
records to verify such compliance.
1. GPEC warrants to the Town that, to the extent applicable under A.R.S. § 41-4401, GPEC is
in compliance with all Federal Immigration laws and regulations that relate to its employees
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and with the E-Verify Program under A.R.S. § 23-214(A). GPEC acknowledges that a
breach of this warranty by GPEC or any subconsultants providing services under this
Agreement is a material breach of this Agreement subject to penalties up to and including
termination of this Agreement or any applicable subcontract. The Town retains the legal
right to inspect the papers of any employee of GPEC or any subconsultant who works on
this Agreement to ensure compliance with this warranty.
2. The Town may conduct random verification of the employment records of GPEC and any
of its subconsultants who work on this Agreement to ensure compliance with this warranty.
3. The Town will not consider GPEC or any of its subconsultants who work on this Agreement
in material breach of the foregoing warranty if GPEC and such subconsultants establish that
they have complied with the employment verification provisions prescribed by 8 USCA §
1324(a) and (b) of the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act and the e-verify requirements
prescribed by A.R.S. § 23-214(A).
4. The provisions of this Section I must be included in any contract GPEC enters into with any
and all of its subconsultants who provide services under this Agreement or any subcontract
to provide services under this Agreement. As used in this Section I “services” are defined
as furnishing labor, time or effort in the State of Arizona by a contractor or subcontractor.
Services include construction or maintenance of any structure, building or transportation
facility or improvement to real property.
5. GPEC certifies that it is not currently engaged in, and agrees for the duration of this
Agreement that it will not engage in a “boycott,” as that term is defined in ARIZ. REV.
STAT. § 35-393, of Israel.
J. TERMINATION. Town shall have the right to terminate this Agreement if GPEC shall fail to duly
perform, observe or comply with any covenant, condition or agreement on its part under this
Agreement and such failure continues for a period of 30 days (or such shorter period as may be
expressly provided herein) after the date on which written notice requiring the failure to be remedied
shall have been given to GPEC by the Town; provided, however, that if such performance,
observation or compliance requires work to be done, action to be taken or conditions to be remedied
which, by their nature, cannot reasonably be accomplished within 30 days, no event of default shall
be deemed to have occurred or to exist if, and so long as, GPEC shall commence such action within
that period and diligently and continuously prosecute the same to completion within 90 days or such
longer period as the Town may approve in writing. The foregoing notwithstanding, in the event of
circumstances which render GPEC incapable of providing the services required to be performed
hereunder, including, but not limited to, insolvency or an award of monetary damages against GPEC
in excess of its available insurance coverage and assets, the Town may immediately and without
further notice terminate this Agreement.
K. RESPONSIBILITY FOR COMPLIANCE WITH LEGAL REQUIREMENTS. GPEC’s
performance hereunder shall be in material compliance with all applicable federal, state and local
health, environmental, and safety laws, regulations, standards, and ordinances in effect during the
performance of this Agreement.
L. INSTITUTION OF LEGAL ACTIONS. Any legal actions instituted pursuant to this Agreement
must be filed in the county of Maricopa, State of Arizona, or in the Federal District Court in the
District of Arizona. In any legal action, the prevailing party in such action will be entitled to
reimbursement by the other party for all costs and expenses of such action, including reasonable
attorneys’ fees as may be fixed by the Court.
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M. APPLICABLE LAW. Any and all disputes arising under any Agreement to be awarded hereunder
or out of the proposals herein called for, which cannot be administratively resolved, shall be tried
according to the laws of the State of Arizona, and GPEC shall agree that the venue for any such
action shall be in the State of Arizona.
N. CONTINUATION DURING DISPUTES. GPEC agrees that, notwithstanding the existence of any
dispute between the parties, each party shall continue to perform the obligations required of it during
the continuation of any such dispute, unless enjoined or prohibited by an Arizona court of competent
jurisdiction.
O. TOWN REVIEW OF GPEC RECORDS. GPEC must keep all Agreement records separate and
make them available for audit by Town personnel upon request.
P. NOTICES. Any notice, consent or other communication required or permitted under this Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be deemed received at the time it is personally delivered, on the day it is
sent by facsimile transmission, on the second day after its deposit with any commercial air courier
or express service or, if mailed, three (3) days after the notice is deposited in the United States mail
addressed as follows:
If to Town: Mr. Grady Miller
Town Manager
Town of Fountain Hills
16705 East Avenue of the Fountains
Fountain Hills, Arizona 85268
Phone: (480) 816-5107
Fax: (480) 837-3145
If to GPEC: Chris Camacho
President and Chief Executive Officer
Greater Phoenix Economic Council
Two North Central Avenue, Suite 2500
Phoenix, Arizona 85004-4469
Phone: (602) 256-7700
Fax: (602) 256-7744
Any time period stated in a notice shall be computed from the time the notice is deemed
received. Either party may change its mailing address or the person to receive notice by notifying the
other party as provided in this paragraph.
Q. TRANSACTIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST. All parties hereto acknowledge that this
Agreement is subject to cancellation by the Town pursuant to the provisions of Section 38-511,
Arizona Revised Statutes.
R. NONLIABILITY OF OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES. No member, official or employee of the
Town will be personally liable to GPEC, or any successor in interest, in the event of any default or
breach by the Town or for any amount which may become due to GPEC or successor, or on any
obligation under the terms of this Agreement. No member, official or employee of GPEC will be
personally liable to the Town, or any successor in interest, in the event of any default or breach by
the GPEC or for any amount which may become due to the Town or successor, or on any obligation
under the terms of this Agreement.
S. NO WAIVER. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, any failure or delay by
any party in asserting any of its rights or remedies as to any default, will not operate as a waiver of
any default, or of any such rights or remedies, or deprive any such party of its right to institute and
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maintain any actions or proceedings which it may deem necessary to protect, assert or enforce any
such rights or remedies.
T. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement shall be found invalid or unenforceable by a
court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions of this Agreement will not be affected
thereby and shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law, provided that the
fundamental purposes of this Agreement are not defeated by such severability.
U. CAPTIONS. The captions contained in this Agreement are merely a reference and are not to be used
to construe or limit the text.
V. NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. No creditor of either party or other individual or entity
shall have any rights, whether as a third-party beneficiary or otherwise, by reason of any provision
of this Agreement.
W. DISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION IF REQUIRED TO BY LAW. This
Agreement allows the parties to disclose Confidential Information, as defined below, to each other
under the following terms. The parties agree that: (1) the Confidential Information is the proprietary
property of each respective Party and is strictly confidential and privileged pursuant to, among other
laws, A.R.S. §§ 44-401, et seq., (2) the release of the Confidential Information provided could cause
harm to the parties’ competitive position, (3) the Confidential Information is potentially personal and
private, and (4) the Confidential Information is exempt from disclosure under the Arizona Public
Records and Open Meeting Laws, A.R.S. § 39-121, et seq. The Agreement does not license, assign,
or convey any intellectual property or proprietary rights from any party to any other party.
“Confidential Information” means non-public information, know-how, or trade secrets in
any form, that:
1. Is designated as being confidential; or
2. A reasonable person knows or reasonably should understand to be confidential.
The Town must comply with and may be subject to certain disclosure requirements under
the Arizona public records law (A.R.S. § 39-101, et seq.). The Town may disclose Confidential
Information if required to comply with a court order or other government demand that has the force
of law. Prior to disclosure, the party must:
1. Use reasonable means to protect the Confidential information to the extent possible; and
2. Give GPEC reasonable prior notice of the request for records and identified responsive
documents to allow GPEC to seek a protective order, unless such notice is not permitted
under law.
X. ENTIRE AGREEMENT, WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS. This Agreement may be executed
in up to three (3) duplicate originals, each of which is deemed to be an original. This Agreement,
including nine (9) pages of text and the below-listed exhibits which are incorporated herein by this
reference, constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the parties.
Exhibit A – GPEC Action Plan
Exhibit B – GPEC Performance Measures
Exhibit C – Targeted Industries
Exhibit D – Reporting Mechanism for Contract Fulfillment
Exhibit E – Insurance Requirements
Exhibit F – Regional Cooperation Protocol
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This Agreement integrates all of the terms and conditions mentioned herein or incidental
hereto, and supersedes all negotiations or previous agreements between the parties with respect to all
or any part of the subject matter hereof.
All waivers of the provisions of this Agreement must be in writing and signed by the
appropriate authorities of the Town or GPEC, and all amendments hereto must be in writing and
signed by the appropriate authorities of the parties hereto.
[SIGNATURES APPEAR ON FOLLOWING PAGE]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed the Agreement this ___ day of
_______________________, 2022.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS, a municipal corporation
Mr. Grady Miller
By: _______________________________________
Its: Town Manager
ATTEST:
By:_________________________
Elizabeth A. Klein
Town Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By:________________________
Aaron D. Arnson
Town Attorney
GREATER PHOENIX ECONOMIC COUNCIL,
an Arizona nonprofit corporation
By:____________________________________
Chris Camacho
President & Chief Executive Officer
Aaron Arnson (Jun 2, 2022 20:34 PDT)
Elizabeth Klein (Jun 6, 2022 08:22 PDT)
Action Plan
#GreaterPHXtogether
Letter from Chris Camacho
President and CEO, Greater Phoenix Economic Council
What we experienced in FY22
was a new beginning. The world
was challenged and
changed by two years of
uncertainty spurred by
the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our normal was redefined
while our market shifted
and found strength in the
power of collaboration
and unstoppable spirit. An agile
response from the GPEC team and
our partners across the region and
a deliberate approach to diversify
our economy over the last decade
enabled us to once again drive a
record number of jobs to the region,
growing investments in Greater
Phoenix in high-tech and emerging
market sectors. Recognized as the
top EDO globally by the International
Economic Development Council,
GPEC built upon momentum in
the market to drive high-quality
1
“ We are committed to
maintaining our status as
a best-in-class economic
development organization
and will expand our
capabilities to bring
positive outcomes to
the region we serve –
impacting one business,
one job, one life at a time.“
development focused on equitable,
dynamic and anti-fragile growth.
As the world changes around us,
we must adapt and lead. In FY23,
GPEC embarks on the first year of
its new strategic plan – envisioning
Greater Phoenix as a national and
international leader and building an
economy that serves all residents.
Tactics in this action plan articulate
the ways we will execute upon the
strategies enumerated in the three-
year strategic plan. GPEC will
continue to learn and grow. We
are committed to maintaining our
status as a best-in-class economic
development organization and will
expand our capabilities to bring
positive outcomes to the region we
serve – impacting one business, one
job, one life at a time.
2
3
We are an inclusive, diverse family
We are change agents
We lead from the front
We promote intellectual curiosity
We remain on the edge
We are tenacious
We are agile and adapt to change
We are committed to selfless service
Our Values
The GPEC Way
Our Mission
To attract and grow quality
businesses, and advocate
for Greater Phoenix’s
competitiveness.
3
Our Vision
Be the leading market driving
innovation in a dynamic, anti-fragile
and equitable economy that enables
all residents to benefit and prosper.
4
GOAL 1 GOAL 2 GOAL 3
FY23-25 Strategic Plan Goals
Three-year Strategic Plan Goals
Lead an ambitious shared vision for the region’s economic future
Enhance the foundation of the future economy with a focus on emerging and innovation-driven industry sectors
Expand organizational capacity to serve the Greater Phoenix economic ecosystem and meet the needs of the market
Action PlanTactics Action PlanTactics
Strategic PlanStrategies Strategic PlanStrategies
Action PlanTactics
FY24FY23
Strategic PlanStrategies
FY25
5
Strategies and Tactics
Building on a comprehensive approach to economic development, FY23 will focus on working
with partners to identify, articulate, and pursue objectives that will create impact on key economic
imperatives and policy priorities.
Continue working with peer
organizations to understand, monitor,
and refine coordinated efforts to
address economic imperatives and
make clear why these imperatives are
vital to continued economic success
for our region
Convene the community
to articulate a vision for the
region’s future and inspire
action around key economic
imperatives
Create a policy playbook to provide
guidance on economic-development-
enabling legislation
Engage legislative and executive
branch leadership on key policy issues
Support economic development and
transportation initiatives, including
Prop. 400
Drive conversations around
policy priorities that
enhance the pillars of an
innovation economy such as
infrastructure, education and
workforce development, smart
and agile land use, and a
capital-friendly environment
Author thought leadership pieces to
convey priorities for the region
Continue to engage federally to
advance national competitiveness
focused on innovation industries
Utilize GPEC’s network as advocates
to carry key messaging throughout
the market
Be a leading voice regionally
and nationally on economic
development priorities and
strategies
STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL 1
FY23 Tactics
Strategies
6
GPEC has maintained an aggressive approach to economic development and will continue
to be laser focused on excelling and innovating on business attraction, branding and cluster
development strategies.
Fortify business attraction
efforts to remain best-in-
class and execute on sector-
focused strategies
Enhance the perception of the
Greater Phoenix market as a
premier location for people
and businesses to live, grow
and work
Lead on data analytics
and cutting-edge research
capabilities to provide
intelligence to clients and
stakeholders
Maintain strong ties in key
international markets, specifically the
APAC, European and North American
regions
Evaluate new markets and lead
generation capabilities in strategic
industries
Continue robust outreach to business
attraction multipliers such as site
selectors and brokers
Take advantage of key events in the
region to increase brand recognition
and competitiveness
Explore partnerships that can
enhance GPEC voice to drive
#GreaterPHXtogether messaging
Collaborate to create aftercare
processes to ease transitions following
client entry to market
Evaluate outreach strategies to
enhance engagement with GPEC
Use novel data and analytics to
identify emerging industries and
high-wage sectors primed for growth
Enhance abilities to proactively
identify and assess risk and mitigating
factors to expanding companies as
part of GPEC’s consultative model
Create an economic scorecard to
measure and monitor the health of
Greater Phoenix beyond top line
economic indicators, incorporating
diversity, equity and inclusion
measures
Provide intelligence to the market
on key developments impacting key
industries and competitiveness
Strategies and Tactics
STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL 2
FY23 Tactics
Strategies
7
Align efforts with local partners to
further enhance the entrepreneurial
ecosystem
Advance opportunities for growth in
innovation infrastructure regionally
Intensify support for regional
entrepreneurship with a focus
on equity, capital strategies and
innovation in collaboration with
regional partners
8
Named the top economic development organization globally in FY22, GPEC will build on successful
strategies to enhance the organization’s influence and longevity, honing world-class talent and
delivering value for the region.
Pursue strategies to target high-level
investor opportunities
Drive and support pursuit of
federal monies to support work
focused on innovation infrastructure
development
Grow capacity through
increased investment and
diversified funding to provide
resources that enable
execution against strategic
economic initiatives
Continue to provide programming
relevant to stakeholders through the
ambassador program and regional
reports to the market
Evaluate means for real-time
feedback from communities and
partners on imperatives for the region
and GPEC’s role in driving them
Utilize the Community Partnership
Program to work with communities to
identify and address emerging needs
Coordinate with key
stakeholder groups to enable
an agile response to the needs
of Greater Phoenix
Survey best-practices from peer
organizations to demonstrate value
the organization provides beyond
business attraction efforts
Evaluate organizational metrics
to measure impact beyond
business attraction
Strategies and Tactics
STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL 3
FY23 Tactics
Strategies
9
Invest in and fortify internal
capabilities through recruitment
and professional development
to maintain a best-in-class
economic development team
anchored in innovation
Provide opportunities for GPEC staff
members in-market and nationally
to be elevated and recognized as
experts in our field
Continue to enhance and streamline
platforms internally to ensure efficient
and effective data management
Review internal processes to ensure
diversity, equity, and inclusion are top
of mind
Evaluate best practices and
bylaws to ensure the GPEC’s
Board of Directors remains high-
caliber and activated to support
the organizational mission
Evaluate best practices and bylaws to
ensure the GPEC’s Board of Directors
remains high-caliber and activated to
support the organizational mission
Implement recommendations from the
Ad Hoc Governance Committee of the
Board of Directors to encourage best
practices for board development and
engagement
10
FY23 Metrics
Contract Target Stretch
Payroll (in Millions)$429.88 $477.64 $525.41
Jobs 7,683 8,537 9,391
- High-Wage Jobs 4,173 4,637 5,101
Average High-Wage Salary $64,198 $71,331 $78,464
Qualified Prospects 239 266 293
- Qualified International Prospects 43 48 53
GPEC Assists 10 12 14
GPEC calculated the metrics
for FY23 based on historical
performance and recent
trends in office and industrial
prospect activity. Prospect
metrics have returned to
pre-pandemic levels.
Metrics
11
Budget Overview
Income Approved FY23 Approved FY22 YOY Var. $YOY Var. %
City/County Contract Revenue $2,822,580 $2,793,743 $28,837 1%
Pledge Revenue $3,783,476 $3,147,120 $636,356 20%
New Pledges $500,000 $350,000 $150,000 43%
In-Kind Contributions $140,500 $140,500 $- 0%
Special Events & Programs $181,609 $181,400 $209 0%
Sponsorship Income $281,000 $51,293 $229,707 448%
Grant Income $- $225,062 $(225,062)(100%)
Other Income $1,000 $1,000 $- 0%
Total Income $7,710,165 $6,890,118 $820,047 12%
Expenses Approved FY23 Approved FY22 YOY Var. $YOY Var. %
Business Development $716,878 $458,522 $258,356 56%
Marketing & Communications $474,278 $480,510 $(6,232)(1%)
Research & Analytics $261,720 $243,324 $18,396 8%
Engagement $167,647 $157,868 $9,779 6%
Strategy $67,680 $119,130 $(51,450)(43%)
Regional Initiatives $249,235 $291,200 $(41,965)(14%)
Operations $474,270 $467,279 $6,991 1%
Personnel $5,072,166 $4,212,671 $859,495 20%
Facilities $561,033 $530,133 $30,900 6%
Special Events & Programs $181,609 $404,842 $(223,233)(55%)
Total Expenses $8,226,516 $7,365,479 $861,037 12%
Net Income/(Loss) $(516,351) $(475,361) $(40,990)9%
12
Directors Council
•Acronis SCS
•Alaska USA Federal Credit Union
•Alliance Bank of Arizona
•American Airlines
•American Express
•Arizona Coyotes
•Arizona Diamondbacks
•Arizona Republic / LOCALiQ
•Bank of America
•Banner Health
•Benchmark Electronics, Inc.
•BMO Harris Bank
•Brookfield Residential
•CBRE
•Chicanos Por La Causa
•Clayco
•Cousins Properties
•Creighton University
•Desert Financial Credit Union
•Dignity Health
•DMB Associates
•EMD Electronics
•Empire Southwest
•Ernst & Young
•Freeport McMoRan Inc.
•Goodmans Interior Structures
•Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona
•Grand Canyon University
•Helios Education Foundation
•Hensel Phelps
Chairman’s Council
Corporate Council
Executive Council
Investors
•Honeywell Aerospace
•HonorHealth
•Intel
•JE Dunn Construction
•Kitchell
•Knight-Swift Transportation
•M Culinary
•Mayo Clinic
•MidFirst Bank
•Mortenson
•Oaktree Capital Management
•On Q Financial
•Perkins Coie LLP
•Phoenix Suns
•Pivotal Group
•Polsinelli
•Quarles & Brady
•Rise48 Equity
•Sherman & Howard
•Snell & Wilmer
•Squire Patton Boggs
•Valley Metro
•Valley of the Sun United Way
•Weitz Company
Leadership Council
•Aerotek
•Aetna
•Archicon L.C. Architecture
•Arizona Israel Technology Alliance
•Baker Development
•Bell Bank
•Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
•Bridge Relocation Concierge
•Bristol Myers Squibb
•BRPH
•Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
•BRYCON Construction
•Burns & McDonnell
•Cancer Treatment Centers of America
•CapRock Partners
•Colliers International
•Commonwealth Land Title National Commercial Services
•Cresa
•Crescent Crown Distributing
•Crown Realty & Development
•Cushman & Wakefield
•Davis Architecture
•Deloitte
•De Rito Partners
•Deutsch Architecture Group
•DFDG Architecture
•Dircks Moving & Logistics
•DLR Group
•DPR Construction
•El Dorado Holdings
•EmployBridge
•Equality Health
•Everest Holdings
•FCL Builders
•FirstBank
•Flinn Foundation
•Gammage & Burnham
•Graycor Construction
•Green Maple Law Group
•hardison/downey construction
•Hensley
•Hines
•Holualoa Companies
•HotFoot Recruiters
•Immedia
•Irgens
•JLL
•Layton Construction
•Lee & Associates
•Lincoln Property Company
•Meritage Homes
•MST Solutions
•Nationwide Realty Investors
•Northern Trust
•Okland Construction
•Olsson
•OneAZ Credit Union
•Opus Development Company
•Page
•Partners Personnel
•Phoenix Children’s Hospital
•Rexco
•RSM
•Ryan Companies US Inc.
•Savills
•Silicon Valley Bank
As of May 24th, 202213
•Skanska USA Building
•SmithGroup
•Social Television Network (STN)
•Southwest Airlines
•Southwest Gas Corporation
•Spencer Fane LLP
•Sunbelt Holdings
•Sundt Construction
•Suntec Concrete
•Terracon
•The Plaza Companies
•Trammell Crow Company
•Transwestern Commercial Services
•TSMC Arizona
•University of Arizona
•USAA
•ViaWest Group
•Wespac Construction
•Wexford Science + Technology
•Willmeng Construction
•Wist Office Products
Ambassador
•Air Products and Chemicals
•Arizona Community Foundation
•Atmosphere Commercial Interiors
•AvenueWest Arizona Corporate Housing
•Avnet Inc.
•BNSF Railway
•BOK Financial
•Caliber Companies
•Carvana
•CoStar Group
•Cypress Office Properties
•Derek Builders
•DSV Inventory Solutions
•Enterprise & National Car Rental
•Equity Land Group
•Globe Corporation
•Horrocks Engineers
•Industrial Storage
•KTA R
•Lyft
•Macerich
•Mangat Group, Inc.
•Merit Partners
•Meta
•Midwestern University
•MSSBTA
•National Bank of Arizona
•Newmark Knight Frank
•Northrop Grumman
•Prologis
•qBotica
•RED Development
•Saint Holdings
•Sunstate Equipment Company
•TerraCap Management
•Trinity Capital Investment
•Union Pacific Railroad
•Van Trust Real Estate LLC
Member Communities
Tucson
Sky HarborInternational Airport
Tempe Mesa
Gilbert
Chandler
ApacheJunction
17
17
40
8
60
60
202
24
202
101
51
101
101
303
30
Planned Extension
202
347
CasaGrande
Maricopa
FountainHills
Scottsdale
Phoenix
Tolleson
GlendaleYoungtown
Surprise
El Mirage
Peoria
Buckeye
Avondale
Goodyear
San Diego
LosAngeles
Las Vegas AlbuquerqueFlagstaff
85
0
Distance in Miles
510
s
Wickenburg
Gila Bend
30mi. NWof Surprise
30mi. SWof Buckeye
60
85
8
QueenCreek
Phoenix-MesaGatewayAirport
14
2 N. Central Ave. Suite 2500, Phoenix, AZ 85004 /// 602.256.7700 /// gpec.org
Page 1 of 1
EXHIBIT B
GPEC PERFORMANCE MEASURES
FY 2023
Specific performance targets as established by the GPEC Executive Committee and
Board of Directors:
1. Payroll Generated $429.88M
2. Total Number of Jobs Created 7,683
3. Total Number of High-Wage Jobs1 4,173
4. Average High-Wage Salary $64,198
5. GPEC Assists2 10
6. Number of Qualified Prospects 239
7. Number of Qualified International Prospects 43
Footnotes:
1. High Wage Jobs: High wage jobs are those that are over 130% of the Phoenix MSA Median Wage (currently $53,702).
2. GPEC Assists: Companies that located in the region, for which GPEC provided assistance, that do not qualify as a locate
due to project size for example; and would otherwise be listed as “non-reported locates.”
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EXHIBIT C
TARGETED INDUSTRIES
FY2023
GPEC and our member communities have identified targeted industries on a local and regional level,
incorporating these industries into a regional economic development plan. For fiscal year 2023, GPEC
will continue its emphasis on the following: Advanced Business Services; Aerospace & Defense;
Emerging Technologies; Healthcare and Biomedical; Manufacturing & Logistics; Mission Critical
Operations; and Software
Member communities will target the following:
Apache Junction
Manufacturing (focus on electronic equipment & components and electric & autonomous vehicles),
distribution/logistics, retail, and hospitality/entertainment/tourism
Avondale
Healthcare; hospitality/tourism; manufacturing & logistics, technology; retail & entertainment; and
technology
Buckeye
Advanced business services; renewable energy; high tech (data center and services); environmental
technology/sustainability; standard and advanced manufacturing; medical and educational institutions;
logistics/transportation/distribution; small business/incubator; aerospace/aviation; and ag-tech
Casa Grande
Advanced manufacturing; automotive technology; transportation/logistics; healthcare/medical services;
aviation/aerospace; and hospitality/entertainment
Chandler
Advanced business services; corporate/regional headquarters; healthcare; advanced manufacturing;
software development; aerospace/aviation; automotive technology; and applied research
El Mirage
Business Services; standard and advanced manufacturing; transportation; warehousing/distribution; heavy
industrial; food, fiber, and natural products; and aerospace aviation
Fountain Hills
Advanced business services; financial services; healthcare, medical, bio-life sciences and wellness;
entrepreneurship/small business; tourism; and retail
Gila Bend
Clean technology (manufacturing/central station generation/R&D);
warehousing/transportation/distribution; military supply chain; tourism/hospitality; standard
manufacturing; agriculture/agri-biotechnology; food, fiber and natural products; aerospace/aviation; and
heavy industrial
Gilbert
Aerospace/aviation and defense; advanced business and professional services; finance and insurance;
Page 2 of 3
healthcare and education services; information communication technology; manufacturing; clean and
renewable technology; and related corporate/regional headquarters
Glendale
Advanced business services; aerospace, aviation and defense; healthcare and bioscience; manufacturing;
technology and innovation
Goodyear
Advanced business services; advanced manufacturing; medical manufacturing; aerospace, aviation and
defense; corporate and regional headquarters; entrepreneurial/start-ups; technology; healthcare and
biomedical (treatment, medical diagnostics, research & development); and higher education
Maricopa (City)
Professional and business services; healthcare services; small business and entrepreneurship; higher
education and education technology; agribusiness/agrisciences; and visitor/hospitality commerce;
semiconductor; EV manufacturing; high tech; and research and development
Mesa
Standard and advanced manufacturing including medical device; automotive technology and
aerospace/aviation/defense; advanced business services; cybersecurity; information technology;
healthcare/life sciences; mission critical operations; tourism; regional and corporate centers; and research
& development
Peoria
Advanced business and financial services; advanced manufacturing; bioscience and healthcare;
technology and innovation; innovation; and research and development
Phoenix
BioSciences/healthcare; advanced business services; advanced manufacturing; data centers; sustainable
enterprises; emerging industries, EV and their supply chains; higher education; trade and FDI; circular
economy; food system entrepreneurship and innovation
Queen Creek
Agritainment/destination tourism; healthcare; I.T./software; business services; and advanced
manufacturing
Scottsdale
IT services and software; financial and insurance services and technology; tealthcare services and
innovation; logistics Management; tourism; and corporate headquarters
Surprise
Advanced business services; advanced manufacturing and rail-served industry; corporate/regional
headquarters innovation/entrepreneurship/emerging technology; medical, healthcare and life science
technologies, services; signature retail; specialty services for global companies/FDI; tourism and
hospitality
Tempe
Advanced business services (financial services); high tech/software (R&D, data center and services);
high-tech/next generation electronics; aerospace R&D/aviation; bioscience (research, drug development,
treatment, medical diagnostics); corporate/regional headquarters; sustainability (environmental);
advanced materials/plastics; software as a service; clean tech, renewable energy and manufacturing
Page 3 of 3
Tolleson
E-Commerce/fulfillment centers; resort/tourist-oriented development; expanded retail opportunities; small
manufacturers with some related retail and offices
Wickenburg
Resort/tourist-oriented development; healthcare with an emphasis on behavioral health; transportation &
distribution; expanded retail opportunities; senior industries, equestrian and rodeo industries
Youngtown
Youngtown is in the throes of developing a commerce park. The park will target second-stage small
manufacturers with some related retail and offices.
Page 1 of 1
EXHIBIT D
FY 2022
REPORTING MECHANISM FOR CONTRACT FULFILLMENT
Monthly Activity Report - Month, Year
BUSINESS ATTRACTION PERFORMANCE METRICS:
GPEC Progress Toward Goals
Annual Contract Actual Goal % of
Targeted Opportunities Goal YTD YTD Goal YTD
KEY BUSINESS A TTRACTION ACTIVITIES AND OTHER GPEC ACTIVITIES
GPEC continues to target high-wage industries (Advanced Business Services; Aerospace & Defense; Emerging
Technologies; Healthcare and Biomedical; Manufacturing & Logistics; Mission Critical Operations; and Software)
PAYROLL GENERATED (MILLIONS)
NUMBER OF JOBS
NUMBER OF HIGH-WAGE JOBS
AVERAGE HIGH WAGE SALARY
QUALIFIED PROSPECTS
QUALIFIED INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTS
GPEC ASSISTS
Page 1 of 3
EXHIBIT E
INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
The Town’s insurance requirements are minimum requirements for this Agreement and in no
way limit the indemnity covenants contained in this Agreement. The Town in no way warrants
that the minimum limits required of GPEC are sufficient to protect GPEC from liabilities that
might arise out of this Agreement for GPEC, its agents, representatives, employees or
Contractors and GPEC is free to purchase such additional insurance as may be determined
necessary.
A. Minimum Scope and Limits of Insurance. GPEC shall provide coverage at least as
broad as the categories set forth below with limits of liability in amounts acceptable to
the Town.
1. Commercial General Liability – Occurrence Form
(Form CG 0001, ed. 10/13 or any replacements thereof)
General Aggregate/ per Project
Products-Completed Operations Aggregate
Personal & Advertising Injury
Each Occurrence
Fire Damage (Any one fire)
Directors and Officers
Medical Expense (Any one person) Optional
2. Automobile Liability – Any Auto or Owned, Hired and Non-Owned Vehicles
(Form CA 0001, ed. 10/13 or any replacement thereof) Combined Single Limit Per
Accident for Bodily Injury and Property Damage
3. Workers' Compensation and Employers' Liability
Workers' Compensation Statutory
Employers' Liability
B. Self-insured Retentions. Any self-insured retentions must be declared to and approved
by the Town. If not approved, the Town may request that the insurer reduce or eliminate
such self-insured retentions with respect to Town, its officers, officials, agents, employees
and volunteers.
C. Other Insurance Requirements. The policies are to contain, or be endorsed to contain,
the following provisions:
1. Commercial General Liability
a. The Town, its officers, officials, agents, employees and volunteers are to be
named as additional insureds with respect to liability arising out of: activities
performed by or on behalf of GPEC, including the Town's general supervision of
GPEC; products and completed operations of GPEC; and automobiles owned,
leased, hired or borrowed by GPEC.
Page 2 of 3
b. GPEC's insurance shall include broad form contractual liability coverage.
c. The Town, its officers, officials, agents, employees and volunteers shall be
additional insureds to the full limits of liability purchased by GPEC, even if those
limits of liability are in excess of those required by this Agreement.
d. GPEC's insurance coverage shall be primary insurance with respect to
Town, its officers, officials, agents, employees and volunteers. Any insurance or
self-insurance maintained by Town, its officers, officials, employees or volunteers
shall be in excess of GPEC's insurance and shall not contribute to it.
e. GPEC's insurance shall apply separately to each insured against whom
claim is made or suit is brought, except with respect to the limits of the insurer's
liability.
f. Coverage provided by GPEC shall not be limited to the liability assumed
under the indemnification provisions of this Agreement.
g. The policies shall contain a waiver of subrogation against Town, its
officers, officials, agents, employees and volunteers for losses arising from work
performed by GPEC for the Town.
2. Workers' Compensation and Employers' Liability Coverage. The insurer shall
agree to waive all rights of subrogation against Town, its officers, officials, agents,
employees and volunteers for any and all losses arising from work performed by
the Contractor for the Town.
D. Notice of Cancellation. Each insurance policy required by the insurance provisions of
this Agreement shall provide the required coverage and shall not be suspended, voided,
canceled by either party, reduced in coverage or in limits except after thirty (30) days' prior
written notice has been sent to Town at the address provided herein for the giving of notice.
Such notice shall be by certified mail, return receipt requested.
E. Acceptability of Insurers. Insurance is to be placed with insurers duly licensed or
approved unlicensed companies in the State of Arizona and with a "Best's" rating of not
less than A-:VII. Town in no way warrants that the above required minimum insurer rating
is sufficient to protect GPEC from potential insurer insolvency.
F. Verification of Coverage. GPEC shall furnish Town with Certificates of Insurance
(ACORD form or equivalent approved by Town) and with original endorsements effecting
coverage as required by this Agreement. The certificates and endorsements for each
insurance policy are to be signed by a person authorized by that insurer to bind coverage
on its behalf. Any policy endorsements that restrict or limit coverage shall be clearly noted
on the Certificate of Insurance.
Page 3 of 3
All certificates and endorsements are to be received and approved by Town before work
commences. Each insurance policy required by this Agreement must be in effect at or prior
to commencement of work under this Agreement and remain in effect for the duration of
the project.
All certificates of insurance required by this Agreement shall be sent directly to Town at
the address and in the manner provided in this Agreement for the giving of notice. Town's
Agreement/Agreement number, GPEC's name and description of the Agreement shall be
provided on the Certificates of Insurance. Town reserves the right to require complete
certified copies of all insurance policies required by this Agreement, at any time.
G. Approval. During the term of this Agreement, no modification may be made to any of
GPEC's insurance policies which will reduce the nature, scope or limits of coverage which
were in effect and approved by the Town prior to execution of this Agreement.
Page 1 of 2
Regional Cooperation Protocol Policy
Greater Phoenix Economic Council and Economic Development Directors Team
The foundation of this policy is built on trust and the spirit of regional cooperation among the entities involved.
GPEC and the Economic Development Directors of its member communities agree and acknowledge that it is
important that they work together as partners on projects involving the communities which GPEC represents,
regardless of the source of the lead, as follows:
1. Demonstrate a commitment to the positive promotion of the Greater Phoenix, specifically, GPEC
member communities, as a globally competitive region.
2. Maintain the highest standards of economic development prospect handling, including confidentiality,
without jeopardizing a prospect’s trust to secure the probability of a regional locate. Partners agree to
respect the prospect’s request for confidentiality but also agree to notify each other as to the existence of
a project with a confidentiality requirement when able and shall make a good-faith effort to involve the
appropriate state, regional or local partners at the earliest possible time.
3. Unless otherwise restricted, agree to coordinate through GPEC for any prospect considering a project in
Maricopa County or in any of the communities that GPEC represents, understanding that GPEC is in a
unique position to represent and speak on regional economic development issues and on characteristics
of the region’s economy. Likewise, GPEC acknowledges that communities are in the best position to
speak about local incentives and efforts surrounding the local economy.
4. For projects that originate with a GPEC member community, GPEC will be available for confidential
research access, topical expertise or as a service provider, to add value to the community in securing the
project. Additionally, GPEC will not e-track the project unless the community lead makes such a
request to do so.
5. Provide accurate and timely information in response to specific requests by all prospects. When a client
has narrowed sites to specific GPEC member communities, GPEC will make a good faith effort to
inform those affected EDDT members first. EDDT members agree to provide information solely on
their own community when the information requested is site-specific (i.e., cost of land, taxes,
development fees, utility availability and cost, zoning process timing, permit timing and local
incentives). When site-specific information related to other GPEC communities is requested, EDDT
members agree to (i) direct GPEC prospects back to GPEC or (ii) direct non-GPEC generated prospects
to contact the affected communities directly, and as a courtesy, contact the affected communities.
6. Agree that regardless of the lead source, public locate announcements shall be coordinated among the
company, GPEC member community, and GPEC to reflect inclusiveness and cooperation of all partners
(subject to any confidentiality requirements).
7. GPEC and EDDTs will advocate for a robust operating budget for the state economic development
agency, and champion sound statewide economic development programs and policies.
8. Discourage the proactive offering of local, municipal financial incentives for existing jobs to companies
with current operations in another GPEC community.
9. Inform GPEC member community when a company visits or physical site visit within that community
will occur. Economic Development Directors will be the primary point of contact for the company when
community information is needed.
10. Agree that the consideration of a future community to GPEC’s membership will be brought before
Page 2 of 2
EDDT for discussion in advance of any board consideration. EDDT will make a recommendation on the
addition of a new community to GPEC’s President and CEO.
11. Formalize a process to convene GPEC and Economic Development Directors of GPEC member
communities biannually, and cooperate in the exchange of information and ideas reflecting practices,
procedures and policies relating to prospect handling and regional economic development.
12. Work collectively to maintain a high level of trust and integrity by and between GPEC and the
Economic Development Directors of GPEC member communities, utilizing differing views as an
opportunity to learn.
13. When conducting market intelligence initiative objective, GPEC staff will coordinate with EDDT to
ensure coordination and communication.
14. When a Prospect Information Form (PIF) is issued by the state economic development agency GPEC
will coordinate the region’s response. All PIF submissions will be directed to GPEC’s attention and
GPEC will assemble the response and return to the state economic development agency.
15. It is understood GPEC will or may host annual executour(s) and/or other marketing familiarization
tour(s) to promote the regional communities. GPEC will make every attempt to provide as much
interaction time between the executour guests and EDDTs. It is understood EDDTS will inform GPEC
of any upcoming executour(s) and/or other marketing familiarization tours scheduled by their office.
16. Partners agree to enter into a mediation process if there is evidence that this Protocol has not been
observed in a material respect or a professional conflict arises that cannot be settled. This mediation
process will be convened by the EDDT Chair, who may, at his/her discretion, consult or involve
GPEC’s President and CEO in addition to others with topical expertise central to the conflict.