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Cochise County to pursue economic-development roadmap as supervisors debate strategy for growth
Summary
County staff recommended hiring a consultant to produce an economic-development roadmap (about $200,000) to package site-readiness, workforce and permitting data for investors; supervisors debated scope, water and infrastructure constraints and concerns about transparency at the Port of Entry in Douglas.
County Manager Sharon Gilman told the Cochise County Board of Supervisors on May 14 that staff recommends hiring Nadelson Dale Group to conduct an economic-development roadmap study priced at about $200,000 to guide targeted outreach to investors.
"We're asking these guys to do" a study of messaging, incentives, permitting and site readiness, Gilman said, adding the work would include the Highway 191 corridor, Port Authority feasibility and a Douglas hospital feasibility study. She said the consultant's deliverables would produce a packet showing infrastructure, zoning and permitting so investors can assess workforce and site readiness.
Supervisor Gomez, who spoke extensively in favor of a coordinated effort, said the county must diversify beyond mining and position opportunity-zone sites with ready infrastructure. "If we do this right, I can provide the statistics so everything is ready for these investors to say, hey — here's the economic time," Gomez said.
Other supervisors pushed back on particular elements of the plan. One member voiced skepticism about water-recharge projects and cautioned against overpromising capacity and outcomes. "I'm skeptical about water recharge projects that actually do not produce any water," that supervisor said.
Supporters said the roadmap would consolidate work already underway — including a separate affordable housing study — and reduce duplication by bringing planners, port and airport studies together. Gilman and other board members said the study would feed into opportunity-zone outreach and help target industries such as light manufacturing and testing facilities near military and research assets.
The board debated cost and timing. Staff framed the $200,000 figure as a reduced price achieved by leveraging existing efforts and partner studies; supervisors asked staff to confirm deliverables and how the study would be funded. Gilman said some work could be paid from existing reserves or program funds tied to economic development efforts.
The board did not take a formal vote at the work session; staff will return with associated contract language, clearer budget sources and a recommended scope and timeline for the project.
