Ward 5 Year in Review By Tucson Vice-Mayor Richard Fimbres

As this year draws to a close, I wanted to thank the good citizens of Tucson, who have given me the opportunity to serve, representing Ward 5 on the City Council. It is been a pleasure working with my colleagues on the Council as well as with the constituents, neighborhoods and businesses in Ward 5, and with city staff. From now till August 2015, I have the honor to serve as your Vice Mayor. I was selected by my colleagues on the Council and I look forward to helping our Mayor when necessary.

Tucson is beginning to see the light at the end of the dark economic tunnel our community has faced during the worst economic time our country has seen since the Great Depression. When I was sworn into office in 2009, I got the message voters sent in terms of what was needed: reforming city government, economic development and creating jobs. Over the past five years we have accomplished much of this, drawing new businesses to Ward 5 and the City of Tucson, annexing property around the City and fighting to ensure that barriers to economic development are addressed and averted.

Over the last year, Ward 5 has seen a tremendous amount of continued investment from businesses. Because of this investment the Tucson Chamber of Commerce has praised my efforts to make Tucson a more business friendly place. I have worked hard to bring about change to make it easier for businesses to set up shop and operate in our city. This includes the Certificate of Occupancy, the streamlining of the development process, approving the biggest commercial annexations of land in 15 years, getting the local purchase ordinance adopted and a proactive approach from my office in assisting businesses to open up or move into Ward 5.

Body Central Physical Therapy, Sports & Wellness Center, 1900 E. Ajo Way – Body central Physical Therapy was opened in 2001 with a dynamic vision; to be the provider of choice for people in Tucson experiencing musculoskeletal injuries and pain conditions. Their talented staff includes Doctors of Physical Therapy and therapists with Board Certifications in Orthopedics, Sports, & Women’s Health. Their mission is to provide quality, evidence-based treatment for all musculoskeletal problems- doing this with an exceptional patient experience. More than 64 jobs were created by this new location.

Modular Mining Expansion, 3285-3289 E. Hemisphere Loop – Modular Mining Systems recently completed a roughly $10 million expansion, adding about 50 new jobs with salaries averaging more than $60,000 per year. Modular Mining Systems employs 225 at its Tucson corporate headquarters.

Purcell Tire and Auto Service Center, 1515 E. Ajo Way – This Tucson facility features state of the art equipment with 6 retail bays and 3 drive-through commercial bays. There is easy access off Interstate 10 and has a large circular drive that makes it extremely easy for large trucks to enter and exit the service center. More than 20 jobs were created with this new center. The facility is equipped to do heavy-duty alignments on commercial vehicles with the latest Hunter Engineering equipment. It offers Roadside tire service to fleets 24/7. The expanded warehouse has allowed Purcell to have on hand multiple tire lines and sizes from Goodyear, Dunlap, Hancoock, Michelin, Kelly, Yoyo, and other nationally recognized quality brands. This Purcell Tire & Service Center is the newest and largest truck tire center serving all of Southern Arizona, New Mexico and Mexico. Purcell Tire & Service Center has built a reputation of trust, providing quality vehicle maintenance and diagnostic services along with offering an extensive selection of top tire brands for retail and commercial vehicles.

Shared Services Center, 6223 S. Palo Verde – Shared Services Center is a provider of business office support services. The 200 employees that were hired are responsible for the processing of medical insurance claims, billing, insurance collection and customer service.

Guardvant, 2700 E. Executive Road – Guardvant is a mining technology supplier with successful implementations in mines throughout the world and more than 50 jobs were created at this new location.

Centene Corporation, 2705 E. Medina Road – Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs and related services to the rising number of under-insured and uninsured individuals. This new business will eventually employ over 100 people at this location.

Culver’s Restaurant, 3070 S. Campbell Avenue. – The new addition to the Tucson Marketplace at the Bridges will create more than 60 new jobs.

More than 2,000 new jobs in Ward 5 alone have been created since I took office as your Councilmember on December 7, 2009.

The City of Tucson lives off of sales tax and for KIDCO prices to be affordable, bus fares not to be raised and to pay for the services constituents want, the City must help to generate sales tax revenue. A special “thank you” to all those for their work to help open a new business in Ward 5 and Tucson. They have been working hard to put people back to work by creating jobs!