Tucson

Known for its outstanding golf courses, casual desert lifestyle and world-famous resorts, Tucson is also a community primed for exponential economic growth. Advanced technology companies such as America Online, Sanofi-Aventis, IBM, Misys Healthcare Systems, Raytheon Missile Systems, Texas Instruments, Universal Avionics and Ventana Medical Systems have already discovered the advantages that Southern Arizona can give them and their employees. A substantial cluster of small to medium sized businesses with strong entrepreneurial underpinnings, proximity to the CanaMex corridor and the presence of a Research I university inspired Entrepreneur magazine to choose Tucson as the number two midsize city in its 2005 Hot Cities List for Entrepreneurs.

Although Tucson has a small town feel, the population of the city and the surrounding communities that comprise "greater Tucson," has reached 950,000 and is expected to top 1 million by 2010. Top notch healthcare, a well-educated populace the scenic beauty of the four mountain ranges that surround the valley, a nearly-perfect climate and affordable quality housing have made Tucson a "best-kept secret" among site selectors and one of America's 100 Best Retirement Towns.

Each year, visitors and citizens celebrate the cultural diversity and traditions of the "Old Pueblo" with events that include the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show; Pima County Fair; Fourth Avenue Street Fair and La Fiesta de los Vaqueros (Tucson Rodeo). Tucson is also recognized as a "mini-mecca" for the arts, hosting professional opera, a symphony orchestra, ballet and theater companies.

"The White Dove of the Desert," Mission San Xavier del Bac is famous the world over as the finest example of mission architecture in the United States. The church, which still serves the local Tohono O'odham people, has recently undergone a complete restoration by specially trained members of the tribe under the guidance of Vatican experts. Snell & Wilmer played an important role in raising funds for the extensive repairs.

Tucson provides a spring training venue for three major league baseball teams: the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Chicago White Sox, and the Colorado Rockies. The Gallery at Dove Mountain is the new home of the Accenture Match Play golf championship. Other popular attractions include Pima Air and Space Museum, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson Botanical Gardens, Reid Park Zoo, Old Tucson Studios, Mount Lemmon ski resort and Sabino Canyon.

Tucson's University of Arizona is one of the nation's top 20 public research institutions. With world-class faculty in fields as diverse as astronomy, plant science, biomedical science, business, law, music and dance, the University of Arizona offers an outstanding educational experience to 37,000 undergraduates and graduate students who come here from all over the world.