Doing Business in AZ

Doing Business in AZ


Presented by

Arizona Department of Commerce


Capturing your share of the west coast market from an Arizona location is both practical and inexpensive in almost every operating category - labor, transportation, utilities and real estate. In addition to cost, here are five more reasons why you should consider doing business in Arizona:


1. Growing a High Tech Workforce

Training leaders such as the Cisco Networking Academy and KnowledgeNet have chosen Arizona to launch cutting-edge educational programs for employees throughout the state and worldwide.

Other benefits to business owners include: Arizona Workforce Connection, the state’s streamlined workforce development system representing more than $270 million in federal and state programs; Job Training Grants and IT Training Tax Credit are additional ways that Arizona is making the high tech workforce enticing to be a part of.

2. Competitive Business Operating Environment

Arizona is a right to work state. With competitive financial opportunities and a favorable tax code, Arizona companies benefit from Arizona's positive business operating environment.


3. Easy Access to Major Markets

Arizona’s strategic location provides companies with access to global and west coast capital markets, while maintaining an affordable business location. Arizona businesses:

  • Service much of the country by truck in one day.
  • Access more than 6,000 miles of well-maintained highway and road network.
  • Achieve substantial savings through back haul rates.
  • Take advantage of Sky Harbor International Airport, the 5th busiest airport in the world for takeoffs and landings.
  • Arizona’s international airports and more than 200 airfields provide companies with easy access to world markets for both cargo and passenger services.
  • Gain closer and less costly access to the 406,000 NAFTA-enabled people who produce $11 trillion worth of goods and services.

4. Affordable and Available Real Estate

Companies relocating to Arizona can take advantage of affordable existing facilities as well as build-to-suit opportunities. Land is abundant across the state. Airport industrial parks have fully developed land and runway access and greenfield sites are available in most communities.


5. High Quality of Life

Companies find it easy to recruit talented employees to Arizona. The state provides a quality of life unmatched by any area of its size in the world. Residents enjoy a choice of lifestyles, excellent health care, and an affordable cost of living. With a personal income tax structure from 3.3% to 5.0%, companies attract talented workers to a community where the cost of living is among the lowest in the nation.

Quick Facts

  • Scottsdale/Phoenix is ranked first in 2005 on Maritz Travel's annual list of top 10 travel destinations for business-meeting and incentive-travel planners. The list is based on the company's yearly review of worldwide business meetings and incentive programs sold, pending and presented.
  • Arizona State University's Tempe campus is the largest in the country, based on enrollment figures. ASU surpassed previous leader Ohio State University in 2006.
  • On the 2006 Corporation for Enterprise Development Report Card, Arizona ranked in the following categories nationwide: 2nd - long-term employment growth, 3rd - short-term employment growth, 8th - per capita energy use, 15th - job creation by startups and 14th - tech employment.

  • The Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa was awarded the 2006 "Greens of Distinction" by Corporate & Incentive Travel magazine. Chosen by more than 40,000 corporate, incentive and association meeting planners, the award is given annually to outstanding golf and meeting properties worldwide. 35 winners were selected in the U.S and Canada based on their meeting facilities, hospitality, golf staff assistance, golf facilities, and tournament arrangements that effectively hosted meetings and incentive travel programs.