PEORIA, Ariz. (Aug.
27, 2008) – The City of Peoria is working with the Western Maricopa Coalition (WESTMARC)
to survey more than 2,000 West Valley employers about work-force demands and
barriers that might prevent a company’s growth.
ERISS Corp., a
research firm hired by WESTMARC, is contacting companies with 20 or more
employees for the West Valley Workforce and Labor Market Survey. The phone
interviews take only seven to 10 minutes, but the results will yield an
invaluable tool for businesses and communities interested in recruiting,
developing and retaining strong economic partners in the West Valley.
“The WESTMARC study
will be used as a tool to identify specific labor forces not only within the
West Valley, but particularly in the City of Peoria,” says Steve Prokopek, the
city’s economic-development director. “This will enhance our capability to
attract certain types of businesses that we are attempting to bring into our
city”
Amid concerns of a
contracting economy elsewhere in the nation, the West Valley is attracting the
attention of companies looking to expand, relocate or open in an area with a
vibrant, available work force and a receptive business climate. Labor cost,
availability and quality are the most-cited decision factors for companies
seeking to expand or relocate, yet up-to-date information has not been readily
available.
To meet this growing
demand, WESTMARC is partnering with West Valley cities, economic-development
officials, educators and employers in a $150,000 effort to compile the data.
“The results from
this survey will provide tremendous benefit to our West Valley communities,”
says Jack Lunsford, president & chief executive officer of WESTMARC. “We haven’t
had an up-to-date resource like this in our economic-development tool kit for
many years.”
WESTMARC will
provide the survey results to employers and the public online in late fall, and
will offer a wide variety of information in an interactive, Web-based format.
Scenario analyses detailing specifics of the West Valley labor market will be
included, such as how far and in what direction employees travel for their jobs,
the length of time they spend commuting and mode/method of transportation they
use. There also will be information regarding employee skills, specialization,
professional/certification qualifications and wages/salaries. A symposium will
be held Nov. 6 to discuss the results.
The success and
reliability of the survey depends upon the response from West Valley employers,
who can prepare in advance by visiting
www.usworks.com/WESTMARC/questions.cfm and reviewing the survey questions
before an ERISS representative calls.
Only aggregate
information without employer identification will be used in this survey, and
employer responses will kept confidential. Survey results will be published in a
manner that protects the identity of employer.
Employers can wait
to be contacted by ERISS, but those wishing to be proactive may set up telephone
appointments in advance or request the survey by fax. To do so, call the
toll-free 866-491-3747, ext. 212, or visit
www.usworks.com\WESTMARC and click “Contact Us/Appointment.” A strong work
force is pivotal for communities that are courting, keeping and growing local
business opportunities. Don’t miss this opportunity to help build a strong West
Valley and a vibrant economy.
For more
information, employers may contact ERISS’ George Martinez (george.martinez@eriss.com,
866-491-3747, Ext. 212) or WESTMARC’s Darah Mann (darah@westmarc.org,
623-435-0431 Ext. 203).
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