GPEC Program Accelerates Greater Phoenix Planning and Development

Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) October 15, 2007-- To compete in an increasingly global economy, companies need to move quickly in establishing business operations. The Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) (http://www.gpec.org) and our communities have responded by introducing an accelerated permitting certification program that completes the process at the municipal level in 90 days or less (http://www.gpec.org/gpec90-day.html).

?Most companies seeking to relocate or expand need to be operational within 12 to 18 months,? said Barry Broome, GPEC president and CEO. ?Expediting the permitting process enables us to better compete with other markets vying for the same quality projects.?

Leadership for the 90-day or less permitting certification initiative is provided by GPEC?s Community Building Consortium (CBC), a collaboration of real estate development professionals throughout the region who are committed to increasing the quantity and quality of transactions in Greater Phoenix while ensuring the region?s long-term sustainability.

?CBC?s collaborative efforts will lead to successful projects that otherwise may move to other markets with more availability and capacity,? said Greg Coxon, CB Richard Ellis senior managing director and chair of GPEC?s CBC.

To qualify for 90-day or less permitting, projects must meet high-wage and community criteria, involve project professionals on a development team, participate in pre-phase meetings, develop competitive timelines, submit fully developed plans and maintain a pre-determined schedule.

The 90-day or less (http://www.gpec.org/gpec90-day.html) development team brings together the public and private sector and includes GPEC, communities, banks, brokerage firms, real estate developers, land owners and other parties to guarantee qualified projects both speed and certainty in getting design and permit times reviewed.

?Communities in Greater Phoenix recognize that in the business environment, time is money and we want businesses to be successful,? said Sheri Wakefield-Saenz, City of Tempe deputy community development manager and chair of GPEC?s Economic Development Directors Team. ?We know that companies need to move to market quickly and GPEC?s 90-day or less certified permitting helps exemplify the region?s business-friendly environment and our commitment to attracting quality businesses.?

GPEC Program Accelerates Greater Phoenix Planning and Development (cont.)

?The 90-day or less certified permitting program is essential to landing the desirable regional and national projects that conduct multi-market searches,? said Steven Schwarz, ViaWest Properties managing director. ?The assurance that users will have in knowing that their project will not get held up on the municipal level will result in Greater Phoenix being included on more initial lists, and make us much more competitive in landing projects needing readily available customized space.?

?GPEC's 90-day or less certified permitting holds tremendous promise for helping us provide better site selection services for our clients,? said Deane Foote, Carter & Burgess senior project manager, real estate and economic development.

Expedited permitting times will further position Greater Phoenix as a preferred and competitive region for companies with expansion or relocation plans.

For more information about GPEC?s CBC and 90-day or less permitting, visit http://www.gpec.org/gpec90-day.html

About GPEC

A true public/private partnership, GPEC works with its 18 member communities, Maricopa County and more than 140 private investors to promote Greater Phoenix to companies seeking a location where they can compete and thrive in today's global economy.

###