A proposal by UA Dean of Science (and Geosciences professor) Joaquin Ruiz to brand Tucson as "Science City" got a lot of attention in today's special newspaper section on jobs in southern Arizona in the Arizona Daily Star. The idea of using "UA's status as a top-20 U.S. research university to foster business growth and economic development" has been around for years, but there is growing business and community interest in the concept.
And it's not just research and technology jobs. A companion story by Alex Dalenberg points out that Biosphere 2 will draw 100,000 visitors this year, and Kitt Peak Observatory attracts 45,000 visitors annually, contributing to southern Arizona's science tourism economy.
S. AZ consensus: We need science-based jobs
'Science City' fits Tucson's image
UA a driving force for jobs in science
High-tech employment presents mixed picture