Goal of forum: Forge Scottsdale, tribal bond

When it comes to the relationship between Scottsdale and the neighboring Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, business is more important than borders.

A public forum aimed at improving the business relationship between the city and the tribe is slated for Wednesday.

Development along the Pima Freeway leg of Loop 101, which runs through both communities, is expected to boom in the coming years.

Large signs pointing to current and future development have been erected, and the area could potentially have as many as 50 restaurants and a 15-story casino.

Representatives of the tribe, the city and the business community will be on hand for a panel discussion at the Scottsdale Leadership’s fourth annual Economic Development Forum at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch, 7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Road.

“We can provide an opportunity to discuss these things in an open environment without it being a politically driven event,” said Abbie Fink, president of the nonprofit, bipartisan Scottsdale Leadership, which hosts a nine-month program that immerses participants in such community affairs as government, nonprofits, economic development and planning.

The forum, “Business 101: Growing Together Along the Pima Corridor,” will feature development officials from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community; DevCo, the tribe’s development company; Dave Roderique, the city’s economic vitality director; Rick Kidder, president of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce; and representatives from private businesses operating on tribal land. Former Scottsdale City Manager Dick Bowers will serve as the moderator.

The Indian community plans five commercial districts along its western boundary over the next 30 years under its “Generation 7” plan. The districts are expected to include a health and biomedical research zone, an entertainment zone, a commerce and international trade zone, a technological research and development zone, and a southern office/retail/hotel zone.

Additionally, community members have voted to allow the construction of a 15-story hotel casino at Indian Bend Road east of Loop 101.

Kidder said he doesn’t see the commercial market as a competition between the city and the tribe.

“Most of it is going to be about Loop 101 development and a call for Scottsdale businesses and the tribe to get closer together and discuss things of common interest,” he said. “It’s all a part of the development of the region.”

Roderique said it benefits everyone in the area when the parties can work together.

“There are occasionally projects that we can’t accommodate in Scottsdale,” Roderique said. “I’d much rather see them (on tribal land) than go to Tucson or Buckeye or somewhere else.”

In previous years the forum has focused on issues like regional growth, tourism and Arizona State University’s SkySong facility in south Scottsdale.

About 100 people are expected to attend the forum and breakfast, which is sponsored by PMT Ambulance, the Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors, Arizona Public Service Co. and Wells Fargo.

Learn more

What: Scottsdale Leadership’s Economic Development Forum. “Business 101: Growing Together Along the Pima Corridor”

When: 7 a.m. Wednesday

Where: Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch, 7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Road

Cost: Tickets are $55 per person and $40 for dues-paid Scottsdale Leadership alumnae

Information: R.S.V.P. online at www.scottsdaleleadership.org or call (480) 627-6710