Sun Corridor Unites Metro Chamber: A Game-Changer for Tucson’s Eco-Advocates

The Tucson area’s leading economic-development entities, Sun Corridor and the Metro Chamber, are merging into a single, yet-to-be-named organization. This announcement was made on Tuesday afternoon by the two groups.

Sun Corridor, established in 2005 as TREO (Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities), has primarily focused on attracting significant employers to Pima County, relying on funding from local governments and businesses. In contrast, the Tucson Metro Chamber has operated as an advocacy body for small and mid-sized businesses, engaging with local and state government officials on their behalf.

A year-long analysis by Sun Corridor revealed a profusion of competing business organizations in the region, highlighting the existence of over 20 such groups. The search for efficiency led to the decision to combine efforts, emphasizing the prominence of the Metro Chamber, representing nearly 1,500 member companies, and Sun Corridor, whose affiliates account for nearly 90% of employment in Pima County.

The new organization will be led by Susan Gray, president of Tucson Electric Power, who has chaired Sun Corridor since last year. Joe Snell, the long-time head of Sun Corridor, will assume the role of CEO, while Michael Guymon, current president of the Tucson Metro Chamber, will serve as the chief advocacy officer.

Plans for the merger have been ratified by the boards of both organizations and are set to take effect next year. A joint press release asserted that this consolidation aims to enhance Tucson and Southern Arizona’s economic landscape by fostering collaboration among businesses of varying sizes and diverse civic groups to tackle regional challenges.

Linda Welter, chair of the Metro Chamber board, expressed that the merger is a strategic move towards creating a more robust chamber capable of fostering an environment where both current and prospective businesses can thrive. Snell added that this initiative could significantly strengthen the economic foundation of Tucson and Southern Arizona.

Guymon echoed this sentiment, commending the shared vision of the newly formed entity and its commitment to innovation in addressing local issues. Both organizations reassured stakeholders that their core missions would remain intact, with no anticipated staff reductions resulting from the merger. Moreover, a joint statement clarified the common misconception regarding the focus of each entity, emphasizing their collective commitment to support businesses of all sizes.