Sharing Our Research – Economic Development Roundtable
In October of 2007, the DMB Mesa Proving Grounds team hosted a roundtable discussion to share some of the research and background information we had gathered about the local economy, demographics and the opportunities in the Williams Gateway Area.

The Mesa Marriott ballroom was filled with more than 250 business leaders from Mesa and Phoenix to hear from:

• Ioanna Morfessis, founder and president, IO, Inc.
• Gadi Kauffman, managing director, Robert Charles Lessor
• Grady Gammage, Jr., partner, Gammage & Burnham, PLC

Together they shared more about the projected demographics of the Williams Gateway area and the Superstition Vistas.  They looked at the opportunities that the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport presents in terms of expansion and becoming a regional hub for travelers and a reliever airport for Sky Harbor International.  They also examined the need for more employment, commercial, retail and housing in the coming 25 years in the area and how some of those needs might be filled at the Mesa Proving Grounds.

Community Feedback from the Economic Roundtable
We asked the audience for feedback at the Roundtable and here are a couple of major themes we heard from that audience.

• Expanding the Airport and its operations was a key priority for Mesa. 
• Attracting new, high quality jobs and higher end retail space are critical. 
• Mesans are concerned about the economy; but they view the Williams Gateway area as an opportunity to attract new businesses and stimulate the economy. 

The questions about what participants want Mesa to be known for brought some of the most insightful aspirations including, “high quality of life, community to live and work;” “a community offering very good schools and an abundance of high-quality jobs;” “a dynamic and diverse community with opportunities for sustained business growth, high-wage jobs, and a quality of life second to none” and “the place to be!”

The Mesa Proving Grounds team will continue to host roundtable discussions on issues impacting our community.  We look forward to your continued support and interest in the future success of Mesa and the Mesa Proving Grounds.