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Tucson Metro Chamber calling for jobs now

Posted: Oct 14, 2011 10:29 PM
Updated: Oct 14, 2011 10:31 PM

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TUCSON - The Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce is calling for good jobs now. Chamber officials think the 1500 jobs Rosemont Copper is promising would give the local market a jolt.

Right now, Tucson unemployment is 8.4%, but mine opponents think Rosemont would reduce that less than a 10th of a percent while costing other jobs in other sectors.

"We can't wait for Washington to help out Tucson, Arizona," said Jim Kuliesh the president and CEO of the Alliance for Construction Trades.

The chamber says Southern Arizona needs more jobs.

"As a business organization, it's up to us to speak out on the subject of jobs and unemployment and do whatever we can to help capture opportunities to put people back to work," said Michael Varney the Tucson Metro Chamber president and CEO.

Kuliesh said unemployment in his industry continues to rise.

"Here in Pima County and Southern Arizona we are not 9 percent like the nation when they talk about unemployment rates. We're well over 30 percent," said Kuliesh.

Others are frustrated with the job situation as well.

"I believe in this community. I love Tucson. But man we just aggravate the heck out of me a lot of times. We never fail to fail," said the owner of Triple A Landscaping.

They believe the biggest jobs player on the radar right now is the Rosemont Mine. But not everyone agrees.

"We do need jobs, but we don't need these kinds of jobs," said Gayle Hartmann with Save the Scenic Santa Rita's.

She said the mine would take a major toll on the environment.

"I think they really are a little near sided, a little short sided. I don't think they really understand what's good for Tucson and for Southern Arizona," said Hartmann.

"We will support the Rosemont operation only if it remains in the regulatory guidelines prescribed for it," said Varney.

The chamber urges Southern Arizona to become more business friendly.

"We cannot send the message to the country and to the world that it's really difficult to do business here in Pima County," said Varney.

The Forest Service also held a press conference Friday to discuss the Rosemont Mine.

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