Surprise focusing on economic growth

SURPRISE, Ariz. — After taking a long, hard look at the books, things are finally back on track, financially, in the City of Surprise. After a 2012 audit revealed the city had misplaced $73 million over a period of 10 years, the city’s top leader had a lot of work to get done.

“Things are looking up,” said Mayor Sharon Wolcott.

After having to dip into its reserve fund to address the mismanagement of the money, the rainy day fund was left with a balance of less than $1 million. Today, that is a much different picture.

“We have a balanced budget, a fully funded reserve and we have a surplus,” she said.

Though the surplus Wolcott refers to is $40 million, she says it’s not a lot of money, but enough to keep the momentum going and the opportunity for growth present.

“We’ve set aside $1 million dollars for the last couple of years for economic development,” Wolcott said. Her goal is to get potential business leaders interested in coming to Surprise, and bring with them, jobs.

“We are trying to make a grand pivot from being a ‘bedroom community’ to being a well-rounded community full of vitality,” Wolcott said.

The population of Surprise has grown exponentially over the last decade. More than 127,000 people call Surprise home. According to Mayor Wolcott, 91 percent of Surprise residents have to travel out of the city each day to work. The average commute for a working household consisting of two adults is about three hours a day.

“We have a mismatch between where the jobs are, and where people live,” said the mayor. Jobs and growing the city’s economy has become priorities. To get jobs to move to Surprise, the mayor admits, it should be easier to get into and around the city.

With construction of the Loop 303 finished near Surprise and plans to improve Grande Ave. at the intersection of Bell Road, Mayor Wolcott is optimistic. She also adds getting around town is still a challenge.

“We have to do more in the West Valley to plug into the transit grid,” she said. “There is a mass transit need that is cross-generational.”

To grow mass transit opportunities and accessibility, the city is participating in a master study on efficiency on Grand Ave. The Compass study has been underway for some time analyzing ways to improve business along the highway that also runs through Peoria, Glendale and Phoenix.

Recently, the city revamped its economic development department.

“We have created a more aggressive economic development/strategic plan and focus.” She added that means placing staff across the country and outside of the nation to look for business opportunities — for potential businesses leaders to choose Surprise as a great place to do business.

Other plans for development in the city include a future Downtown Surprise.

Mayor Wolcott wants people to know Surprise is open for business, welcomes new potential business leaders.

To anyone considering relocating the City of Surprise, Mayor Wolcott has one message. “I dare you,” she said. “Come on out and take a look.”