PROJECT Building a Quality Regional Community PLEASE NOTE: As of March 2006, the Building a Quality Regional Community (BQRC) Project has been incorporated into the Planners Stakeholders Group (PSG). Please visit the PSG Web page for more information. BQRC is a study of the existing situation regarding job centers in Maricopa and Pinal Counties. The original project contemplated three phases, of which this study is Phase I. Phase I is a study of the existing situation regarding job centers, residential development in their commute sheds, and transportation that connects housing to job locations. Phase II would prepare a database of local site factors across the urban region, and a model that evaluates the suitability of industry clusters in job centers based on the quality of site factors. In Phase II, a subset of industry clusters would be modeled - high wage clusters. Phase III would expand the modeled set of industry clusters to include all clusters, beyond just high-wage clusters. MAG Regional Council approved Phase I for the FY2005 Work Program. Phases II and III are dependent upon Regional Council action. An ad hoc technical advisory group meets on a bi-monthly basis to review the Phase I project information and to provide input. The entire project is conceived to be information that would be transmitted to MAG member agencies for their own planning use. Other than the Phase I report, no documents would be prepared. Rather, the site factor database and industry cluster model would be transmitted directly to member agencies, and MAG staff would train local staff in their technical use. MAG member agencies can use the planning information for several purposes: Choosing the best location and appropriate size for their job centers Identifying the highest-potential industry mix for their job centers, considering the market realities of site factors Planning for appropriate housing that is integrated with member agency’s job center economic development planning Planning for transportation systems that is appropriate to link housing and job centers This website contains all project materials. Background: Introduction to the project Phase I Report Outline Project advisory group meeting schedule Member Agency Survey: Map of job centers List of job centers Survey forms for MAG member agencies to complete – one for each member agency. Reducing Travel Demand on the Region's Regional Transportation System One of the primary motivations for undertaking the BQRC study is the strong attraction for reducing travel demand on the MSA’s regional transportation system. more.. BQRC Census Maps These maps show geographic patterns of certain demographic and housing characteristics that are usually not seen in a regional context. more.. Regional Economic Development Although the main purpose of BQRC is to study the relationship among job centers, transportation, and housing with the aim of reducing travel demand, the possible implementation of its findings could depend on local economic development strategies and programs.  more.. Additional project materials will be made available on this website as they are prepared. Please also check "Links" below on this page.

UPCOMING EVENTS Previous Meetings...

COMMITTEES

RESOURCES MAG 2007 Socioeconomic Projections Framework Studies in Arizona Regional Economic Development Map of Job Centers List of Job Centers

CONTACTS Information Services Manager: Rita Walton Information Services

LINKS Reducing Travel Demand on the Region’s Regional Transportation System

AGENDAS Building a Quality Regional Community 1/17/2006 Meeting Agenda Building a Quality Regional Community 4/26/2005 Meeting Agenda

MINUTES

POLLS

SURVEYS