SouthEastern Arizona Governments Organization

Planning Areas of Emphasis

Tourism

Tourism positively impacts all four SEAGO counties. A 2005 Arizona Office of Tourism study shows that total direct travel spending in the state of Arizona in 2005 reached $17.5 billion – an increase of 9.9% over 2004. And the SEAGO region performance follows state trends. Travel related direct spending in all four SEAGO Counties has steadily increased over the past five years. Spending in Cochise County reached $322.4 million in 2005, an increase of $107.2 million from 1998. Santa Cruz County took in $282.3 million in travel dollars for 2005, up $74.7 million from 1998; and Graham and Greenlee Counties $36.4 million, an increase of 11.5 million from five years ago. The economic impact of tourism is significant: in 2005, direct travel spending for SEAGO’s four counties combined generated a total of $ 17 million dollars in local tax revenue, 7,330 direct jobs with a total in combined direct earnings of $129.9 million dollars.

SEAGO has published a map to promote and guide travel in Southeastern Arizona and Northern Sonora. Please view our interactive preview of the map. A full copy can be ordered or picked up from any visitor's center located in Cochise, Graham, Greenlee or Santa Cruz counties. Or contact Suzanne Drum at SEAGO at 520-432-5301 for a copy.

For more information on the economic impact of tourism in Arizona you can download the report Arizona Travel Impacts 1998-2005p which is in PDF format.

Agriculture

Like tourism, agriculture affects each county within the SEAGO region. Actually, the two emphases have begun to merge into the agri-tourism industry – seen with a renewed interest in guest ranches and agricultural education tours. While farm sizes are decreasing throughout Cochise and Graham counties, in the SEAGO region, the value of agricultural products sold is increasing, when comparing the USDA Census of Agriculture of 1997 to that of 2002.

Business Expansion and Retention

More jobs are gained from the expansion of existing businesses than from new businesses. In the SEAGO region, businesses are offered assistance from Chambers of Commerce and small business development centers. SEAGO will work with existing resources to identify any gaps in services available.

Communications and Information Technology

Rural Arizona suffers from lagging and sporadic telecommunications capabilities. While advancements are occurring, they are not occurring at a rate comparable to more densely populated cities throughout the country.

Comprehensive Planning Activities

As identified by SEAGO’s member communities, assistance will be provided in the strategic development of comprehensive planning activities.

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Now available - An online version of Southeastern Arizona & Northern Sonora Map and Guide

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