On Friday, November 4, 2016, the Metropolitan Pima Alliance (MPA) will hold its 12th annual Common Ground Awards ceremony. The Common Ground Awards ceremony honors community leaders, real estate projects and events that overcame great obstacles through collaboration. Over 225 exemplary projects have been recognized over the past decade representing positive outcomes as the result of atypical and significant collaboration. Nearing the completion of its second decade in existence, MPA's mission is to encourage collaboration in seeking solutions to break down barriers to real estate and economic development.
The MPA Board of Directors has voted to honor this remarkable and unparalleled effort with its signature recognition, the Common Ground Award of Distinction. The Award of Distinction honors exceptional projects that traditionally have extensive regional benefits. Past honorees include the I-10 widening project, Festival of Books, Aerospace Parkway and the Mars Lander. This year, the Caterpillar expansion project will be honored. The significant partnerships necessary to secure this major employer was best articulated by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, who recognized the various entities that were critical to this accomplishment: the Arizona Commerce Authority, Sun Corridor Inc., Pima County, Rio Nuevo District and the City of Tucson. Governor Ducey remarked, "This is a huge win for Tucson and the entire region. In addition to bringing jobs and capital investment to Southern Arizona, a project of this level will have a ripple effect throughout the community and state."
MPA Board President Tom Nieman of Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR noted, "The relationships fostered through the recruitment of this major employer embodies how impactful public private partnerships can be. The Common Ground Awards ceremony is the only one of its kind in Pima County promoting collaboration - something we need to do more often." Further supporting this project's worthiness of the prestigious Common Ground Award of Distinction, Tom Bluth, Caterpillar vice president stated, "The ability to get closer to our customers and tightly collaborate across all aspects of the business is at the center of our strategy. " The expansion of the Caterpillar operations is estimated to create 600 new Arizona jobs over five years. The state has estimated the economic impact of Caterpillar's consolidation in Southern Arizona at $600 million.
Established in 1997, the mission of MPA is to bring the public and private sector together to develop reasonable land use policies and procedures for the benefit of the entire community. Whether it is land development, economic development or community development, it is important and relevant for all parties to seek common ground. For additional information, www.mpaaz.org/events/common-ground.