Arizona's second largest city, Tucson, is uniquely positioned for continued steady growth. Just 65 miles north of the United States - Mexico border. Tucson is the regional center for southern Arizona and northern Mexico. Tucson has key highway, rail and air connections and is a major point on the United States southernmost coast-to-coast interstate.

A city of historic charm and natural beauty, Tucson has been one of the nation's fastest growing cities for many years. With strong population growth for three decades, Tucson currently ranks 23rd in employment growth among the 300 largest cities in the United States.

Tucson recently received approval for its empowerment zone designation. It is one of eight sites to receive the designation which provides significant federal incentives that support job creation, local skills training efforts and downtown development efforts. The 17.23 mile zone provides business incentives and encourage expansion and investment. Several of the key incentive packages include:

• Employment Tax Credits - A federal tax credit of up to $3,000 per employee which is available to business located in the zone that hire residents of the zone. The credit applies to new hires and existing employees and can be received for each year that the zone is in existence.
• Work Opportunity Tax Credits - A federal tax credit of up to $2,500 per employee aged 16-24. This credit applies to the first year of employment for an employee living within the zone and is limited to their first year of employment.
• Business Investment Incentives - Zone businesses can accelerate depreciation on new capital investments up to $35,000 for the first year that the assets are placed into service. Zone business may be eligible for rollover and partial exclusions on gains on sale of qualified assets. These benefits apply to companies located in the zone and conducting most of their business in the zone. The business must have 35% of their employees living within the zone.
• Issuance Of Tax Exempt Bonds - The city can issue up to $230 million in tax exempt bonds over the life of the designation to make loans to existing or new businesses in the zone. Visit the City of Tucson's website to discover the boundaries of the zone and other unique benefits: www.cityoftucson.org/oed

Tucson is known worldwide as a cosmopolitan city with western flair. Visit historic downtown and the El Presidio Historic District to see five of Tucson’s earliest homes where the Leonardo Romero House serves as a museum. Downtown Tucson is undergoing a major revitalization to preserve the plazas, parks, walkways, and distinctly southwest-styled 19th century homes.

Performing art venues are also found in the downtown area, including the Tucson Convention Center and the Temple of Music and Art. Nearby to the east, Sabino Canyon allows access to the hiking and walking trails in the Catalina Mountains. There are over 30 parks in central Tucson including Gene C. Reid Park - Tucson’s largest at over 130 acres. Randolph Municipal Golf Course is adjacent to Reid Park.

Institutes of higher education in Tucson include the University of Arizona and Pima Community College. Medical facilities are excellent in Tucson, with research, education and patient care on the cutting edge. The University of Arizona Medical Center is in central Tucson. Culturally speaking, Tucson offers live theatre and dance performances on three stages, and at the University of Arizona, the Arizona Opera Company, the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and the Tucson Pops Orchestra.

Tucson annual events include the Southern Arizona Square and Round Dance Festival, the International Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, La Fiesta de los Vaqueros, stops by the LPGA and PGA for professional golf tournaments, the Yaqui Easter Ceremony, the Annual International Mariachi Conference, the Pima County Fair, Octoberfest and Luminaria Night.