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January 31, 2008 - 6:52AM
Chandler mayor: City growing despite economy
Ed Taylor, Tribune
Despite slumps in the national and regional housing markets, economic activity continues to be robust in Chandler, according to Mayor Boyd Dunn, who told a Chamber of Commerce audience Wednesday that “things are still happening in Chandler.”
Speaking at the annual Economic Update Forum sponsored by the Chandler chamber, Dunn said permit and project-approval activity at City Hall continues at an “amazing” level considering that the national economy appears to be slowing.
He cited continuing development near Chandler Municipal Airport and the Price Road corridor as well as such projects as expansion by Avnet, the downtown Ocotillo mixed-use project and construction of a new Hilton Hotel.
“Residential (activity) has dropped, but commercial and industrial permits are still strong,” he said.
“Buildings are being built ... Money still seems to be available on the commercial side.”
He added that many of the commercial projects are being started even without firm tenants, but they have been successfully leased.
“We have land available for Class A office space, so we’re getting looked at by companies that are consolidating or looking to move,” he said.
Kent Ennis, deputy director of the Arizona Department of Commerce, said the economic picture is a case of the glass being half-full.
The number of jobs created in Arizona continues to expand, but at a slower pace, he said.
“The angst is justified, but we’re not declining yet,” he said. Jobs are declining in construction, manufacturing and information technology but increasing in retail, mining, education and health, he said.
The number of jobs may decline in the first half of 2008 and may be flat for the entire year.
A decline in bank lending is an important element of the slowdown, said Robert Blaney, district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
“Lenders have said they are tightening credit standards,” he said. “And they are making smaller loans.”
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