Bollin on Business: The buck stops here—in GV, Sahuarita

Few communities in the entire country have grown as quickly as Sahuarita and Green Valley over the past eight to 10 years.

The population of Sahuarita has experienced a 500 percent increase since the year 2000! Green Valley continues its respectable 13 percent average growth rate per year.

Concrete pads are supporting new structures-evidence of retail and community vitality and demographic acceptance.

If one Google Earth’s into a bird's eye view of our area, you can see what is in store for our future.

I predict that Sahuarita will form a retail leakage “stopper” by luring big box retailers, franchises, and new private ventures that will make traveling north to the “Big City” unnecessary.

I see the possibility of light industrial complexes, research and development centers, and even institutions of higher learning in our area.

To the south of Green Valley, Amado awaits inevitable discovery, and historic Tubac anchors an incredible blend of cultures, natural and manmade wonders that make our Santa Cruz Valley one of the most desirable places to live and work in the country. Exciting isn’t it?

Yet, we must also realize that the flow of dollars throughout our area creates a financial interdependence.

Indeed, the buck does stop here. Our challenge is to keep the buck here.

Like the peek-a-boo Santa Cruz River, dollars flow from south to north. Tubac and Green Valley residents shop in Sahuarita. So do shoppers from Rio Rico, Nogales and across the border.

As Sahuarita gains retail strength, Green Valley has the opportunity to fill the Green Valley Village and other retail areas with unique shops, restaurants, and services that will embrace this one-of-a-kind community.

Tubac and Amado have a fantastic opportunity to be the economic gatekeepers to the south. Ah, the possibilities!

What can we do to help fuel this economic evolution?

Shop Locally! With gasoline still in the $3.60—something range, it pays to shop here. The average trip to Tucson is about 31 miles—one way. It costs almost $9 just to travel to Tucson and return if your vehicle averages 25 mpg. If you shop here, the buck stops here.

Shop Locally! Local retail sales taxes support the communities in which you live. Sahuarita’s local sales tax is the same as Tucson’s—2 percent, and Green Valley has no local sales tax. If you shop here, the buck stays here.

Shop Locally! Area business owners buy from other neighboring suppliers, and they are invested in the future of the communities in which they live.

Shop Locally! Many local businesses know you by name. Smart businesses learn what you want and make sure they have it for you.

In addition, national statistics state that locally owned businesses return about 75 percent—80 percent of each dollar spent back into the community to support schools, social services, and other community infrastructures.

The competition for the discretionary dollar is extremely intense.

Sure, you can buy online. After all, its convenient, open 24 hours per day, and with the click of a mouse, you transactions are complete. But, how does that help the community in which you live?

Or, you can make the costly drive to Tucson and fortify their community structure.

But, why not take a step back, look around, see what is happening in our corridor.

The more bucks that stop here, the better for the communities that we—and future generations will build.

Area business owners buy from other neighboring suppliers, and they are invested in the future of the communities in which they live.

Mark Bollin is marketing director of the Green Valley News. Contact him at mbollin@gvnews.com or 547-9760.