By Nick Esquer for Chamber Business News
Last year, Maricopa County saw the largest population increase of any county in the United States, adding another 81,244 residents to its desert clutches. That makes eight straight years of population gains, according to the Census Bureau. This impressive bump doesn’t account for the temporary residents who make up a hefty amount of the county’s population part of the year. We’re referring to winter visitors, including those from Canada who come down every year for warmer weather and leisurely living away from the chilling snow and biting cold.
While those residents are considered temporary, some other Canadians have found a permanent residence here in the state: big businesses.
According to Glenn Williamson, founder and CEO of the Canada Arizona Business Council, Canada’s roots are starting to take hold and run deep here in Arizona. Currently, there are more than 400 Canadian businesses that operate out of our state, including VIQ Solutions.
Nearly 150,000 Arizona jobs are dependent on trade and investment with Canada as a result of the decades-old business relationship. Also, around 150 Arizona-based companies have expanded their international operations in Canada.
Business between Arizona and Canada comes in at around $4.4B in bilateral trade, but Williamson wants to see that number rise to $8B within the next three years, with a focus on opportunities in the services and aerospace sectors.
Canadian aerospace manufacturing company Bombardier, based in Montreal, currently operates a 1MSF facility in Tucson, an area of opportunity for businesses in an industry that continues to rise and bring jobs to a ready-made workforce in the region.
Read more at Chamber Business News.