The Arizona Chapter of NDIA supports the national association's efforts to advocate for a strong government-industry partnership. They offer many ways to help advocate for our issues around the National Capitol region. Here in Arizona, we also seek member support and ways to advocate for regional issues. Through our members, we look for ways to expand opportunities in the government-industry-academia arena for our members and their employers. Specifically, our chapter supports the national efforts to encourage young people's interest in science, technology, engineering, and manufacturing (STEM). Their are numerous initiatives under way and we support each of them.

One element that is vitally important to all our member organizations is political support.  That tends to ebb and flow to a certain extent, but under the current economic climate, that support in Washington and here locally has never been more important.  Steve Macias, a chapter member and President/CEO of Pivot Manufacturing, has written an excellent article on this subject, offered below.

 Focus on Arizona's Economic Strength 

By Steve Macias

December 2, 2009

In addition to contributing to our national security, the aerospace and defense industries are huge players in the economy of our state and have never been more important than they are now.  As such, it is vitally important that our Washington delegation stay focused on the economic issues affecting our state and support these industries, despite a raft of other national items also vying for their attention. 

As Arizona continues to suffer through a recession unlike any seen in recent times, the stability of Department of Defense contracts has provided a solid foundation of work for many large and small companies, and allowed them to weather the current downturn with minimal job losses.  As the economy gradually improves and commercial industries reawaken, the defense industry will provide a steady stream of work that will allow companies, large and small, to begin growing again and to add high-paying jobs to our state. 

Defense jobs are not just located in the metro areas of Arizona, but impact every corner of the state. The average wage of an aerospace/defense position is between $60,000 and $70,000 a year.  While small manufacturing companies like mine cannot directly build a jetliner, missile or military vehicle, there are hundreds upon hundreds of Arizona companies that provide support to the large, prime contractors that do build them.  The nature and flow-down of the work also enables Arizona companies to be in the forefront of developing technologies, breeding more innovation and even more jobs.

As we in Arizona begin to ponder our future with an economy that is not almost solely based on the business of growth, we need to look at sectors already in place that can help pull us forward and also contribute to a higher standard of living.  Our state already plays a large role in the defense and space exploration efforts of our great nation, so we should utilize these existing resources to propel our economy forward.  Many of our large original equipment manufacturers' (OEM) Arizona facilities have developed their capabilities to the point that they are considered "centers of excellence" within their own companies, pulling in work from other locations. This is confirmation that businesses in Arizona can provide an excellent product at a competitive price.   

These are all reasons that in this of time of economic challenge it is critical that our delegation focus on an area of strength in the Arizona economy and one that has proven especially resistant to the recession.   As one of the larger recipients of Department of Defense dollars, Arizona is a big target for other states seeking to carve out some of our industry for themselves.  That is why it is imperative for our industry to receive our congressional delegation's full and unified support. 

Our delegation has a rich history of bipartisan cooperation, the greatest example of which is the lifeblood of Arizona, the Central Arizona Project.  The CAP was necessary to ensure our oasis in the desert would not wither away and required the unity of some of our legendary political figures to make it happen.  We are currently in another era of economic uncertainty, and we need our elected leaders to take the reins and help guide us back to the point where our future is reflected in one of our beautiful Arizona sunrises and the opportunities of each new day. Perhaps if we can achieve bipartisan success here, it can be a lesson the nation can learn as a whole.

Steve Macias is vice chair of the Arizona Manufacturers Council and a member of the board of directors for the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He is a member of the Governor's Council on Small Business.  Steve can be reached at smacias@pivotmfg.com