By Eric Jay Toll | Phoenix Business Journal
Lacking direction from the governor’s office, Phoenix-area mayors have taken the lead on setting economic policy for the region and state.
“Mayors are the ones providing economic development leadership because cities are where the economic development is taking place,” said Scott Smith, former Mesa mayor and initiator of the Mesa HEATT initiative – health care, education, aerospace, tourism and technology. “Cities have to deal with all of the pieces of economic development because of immediate effects. They don’t have the luxury of playing politics with economic development.”
Related: Gov. Doug Ducey vetoes bill to reinstate Mining Museum/Arizona Capitol Times
