COMMUNITY PROFILE
hundreds of entrepreneurial businesses abound,
WORKFORCE POPULATION
and there are two industrial parks available in
Arizona Rim Country has an abundance For over twenty-five years, the average
the Payson area. Additional sites are scattered
of dependable and hard-working men and increase in population in Arizona Rim Country
throughout Arizona Rim Country.
women to staff your business. There are many area has been about 3.5%. As with any com-
Internet firms and telemarketing-based
residents who retired early and others that munity, there have been both periods of little
businesses are making an impact, too. In addi-
want to put to use the skill levels for which they growth, and others of rapid expansion. Since
tion, Arizona Rim Country is known as a grow-
were trained. Gila County Community College most of the property in Arizona Rim Country is
ing arts and antique retailing destination.
can design a specific skills course to mold spe- owned by the Federal Government (forests) or
The Payson Regional Economic Devel-
cialized workers for your unique business need. the Tonto Apache Indians (reservation), there
opment Corporation, The Office of Tourism,
With the outstanding quality of life and varied will never be unbridled growth. It is projected
and the Rim Country Regional Chamber of
prices for housing, recruitment and retention that Payson and the other nearby communities
Commerce work actively with new and exist-
of employees are normally high. may eventually grow by 40% if all available
ing businesses to provide high quality busi-
home site lots are developed.
ness and employment opportunities for area
WHO LIVES IN ARIZONA
residents. There is a progressive attitude here
RIM COUNTRY?
DEMOGRAPHICS
that every business with a need or a concern
The average age of the population of
Basic Information
will be provided with a resolution and all nec-
Arizona Rim Country is about 53. Approxi-
Founded 1884
essary support.
mately 50% of the residents are 55 years or
Incorporated 1973
We will put you in touch with the best
older. There is definitely a shift towards older
Elevation 4,982
person or organization to help you locate
citizens. Half of the population is made up of
Located Gila County
the right piece of property, recruit your
children, high school students, young adults
Distance to Phoenix: 93 miles
workforce, find necessary funding and
and men and women in their third or fourth
Tucson: 183 miles
promote your endeavor. Call the Cham-
career. Overall, Arizona Rim Country mirrors
Nearby Highways Hwy SR 87
ber (928) 474-4515 or visit our website at
the more progressive communities of America.
Hwy SR 260
www.rimcountrychamber.com.
For the most part, almost everyone you meet
Populations
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
will be a person that likes to enjoy the outdoors.
Payson 16,742
Gila County 56,885
For the new businesses coming into Ari-
They fish, hike, hunt, exercise and even cross-
zona Rim Country, we offer a high-caliber,
country ski. Most have used our community
hard working, and educated labor force. Our
library recently, are active voters, are probably in-
Principal Economic Activities
retirees are an untapped resource, as well.
volved in politics on the local scene, and give often
The local economy is dominated by the
Gila County Community College is
to charities, fundraising events and churches.
tourism, retirement, and construction
primed and ready to work with any employer
The price of housing is steadily going up.
industries, with a growing emphasis on
to harden a workforce and train employees
There is no better time than right now to buy
manufacturing and service firms. Also
for a specific job. Payson and Gila County are
that dream home, vacation cabin, or lot. The
encouraged is light industry and high-
willing to make it possible for a new business
average price for a resale home is well above
tech operations compatible with the
to open as soon as possible, with support from
$160,000 and rising. New construction tends
community’s “High Quality of Life.” The
the Payson Regional Economic Development
to be high because of additional features, esca-
Payson Regional Economic Development
Corporation, the Small Business Development
lating lot values, and demand for new homes.
Corporation works with new and existing
Center, and the Rim Country Regional Cham-
Food is priced at roughly the same level as one
businesses to provide high quality busi-
ber of Commerce.
might find in metropolitan Phoenix. Large
ness and employment opportunities for
firms own the local grocery stores, thus our
area residents. It assists both local and
FINANCIAL
pricing levels reflect their other stores around
relocating firms.
There are numerous full-service banks,
the state. You might find a slight increase in
mortgage firms, and credit unions in Arizona
prices for clothing, gasoline, building supplies
Property Tax Rate
Rim Country waiting to work with you. Any
and the like as there is a true cost associated
Elementary/High Schools 4.80
new or existing area business eligible for as-
with transporting those items an additional 90
City/Fire District 0.34
sistance in financing fixed assets may work
miles from the Phoenix area. Overall, though,
Countywide 5.01
with the Finance and Administration Division
the “out-go index” is just a bit higher than you
Total 10.15
of the Arizona Department of Commerce. For
might pay in metropolitan Phoenix.
additional information on private bond activ-
If you need highly specific informa-
U.S. estimate of population retired is 23%
ity, industrial development, and town, county,
tion concerning any aspect of census tract
Analysis: Professionals and managers typically
state or federal assistance, please call the Pay-
data or statistical information collected by
comprise the largest segment of a communi-
son Regional Economic Department Corpora-
the state, county, or Town of Payson, please
ty’s work force in most U.S. surveys. The Rim
tion (PREDC) at 928-468-6659, or go online
call the Chamber at 1-800-6-PAYSON
Country and Gila County’s high incidence of
at www.paysonecon.org.
(1-800-672-9766). We will assist you in con-
retirees reflect a pattern common throughout
tacting the proper agency or person.
the southwest and most other Sun Belt com-
munities.
4
Rim Country Visitor’s Guide
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