Border has potential as an economic engine
Recently, published an excellent editorial, “San Diego’s lesson for us.” It focused on the importance of our relationship with Mexico to Arizona’s economy and future growth. It stated that “Mexico is Arizona’s top trading partner” and “Mexican shoppers/ tourists pump billions annually into our economy.”
It also correctly noted that the “Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales (Ariz.) is one of the nation’s busiest for fresh produce,” and “Arizona won’t fully benefit from the ongoing expansion of the Mariposa port of entry unless enough agents are assigned to staff the new lanes of traffic.”
However, the editorial was wrong when it asked, “When was the last time you heard state elected officials in Arizona talk about the border as an economic engine?”
We hear state elected officials talk about the border as an economic engine frequently and more often than ever before.
In 2012, the Legislature passed a resolution introduced by Sen. Gail Griffin, R-Hereford, along with 34 legislators from both sides of the aisle, calling for increased customs personnel at our ports of entry.
In August, Gov. Jan Brewer’s administration wrote the federal Department of Commerce and pointed out the importance to Arizona of the im- LANCE JUNGMEYER port of Mexican fresh tomatoes. later ran a “My Turn” by state Sens. Steve Pierce and Linda Lopez discussing the tomato issue and its role in trade with Mexico.
In September, Pierce led Nogales business leaders to Washington to meet with Arizona congressional members. They emphasized the importance of trade with Mexico and the need for additional personnel at the ports of entry. The delegation met with Sen. John McCain and then-Sen. Jon Kyl, then-Reps. Jeff Flake (now a U.S. senator) and Ben Quayle, and U.S. Reps. Trent Franks, Paul Gosar, David Schweikert and Raúl Grijalva, as well as senior staff for Reps. Ed Pastor and Ron Barber.
In November, the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas hosted legislators and other political officials at the Arizona Border Economic Summit. About 30 legislators, led by Arizona House Speaker Andy Tobin, attended, along with Secretary of State Ken Bennett and Treasurer Doug Ducey. Pierce and Lopez spoke about the border as an economic engine.
A steady stream of federal, state and local elected officials have come to Nogales to discuss trade with Mexico and tour the ports of entry.
These officials are talking about the border as an economic engine on a daily basis and moving Arizona forward in our relationship with Mexico. We applaud their efforts.
The editorial board is correct. More needs to be done.
We think the needs boil down to infrastructure, economic development and public support for these issues. To pull increased commerce through the Mariposa port of entry, Arizona 189 needs a makeover for efficiency and public safety, considering that truck traffic may grow from 1,600 a day to 4,000 a day.
Arizona politicians are getting the picture. Aligning their voices is key to the future, not only for the border but also for the businesses throughout Arizona that also benefit from trade and travel coming from and going to Mexico.
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