What does “attracting living wage jobs” mean in Pinal?
Living wage jobs provide the kind of pay that provides a comfortable lifestyle where families’ needs are met. Over and over again our citizens told us that they want to be sure that these jobs will be available in Pinal for their children and grandchildren. According to 2000 US Census figures and 2007 data developed by the Central Arizona Association of Governments, Pinal County currently has only 160 jobs per 1,000 residents and this number has dropped from 200 per 1,000 only seven years ago. By contrast, Maricopa and Pima Counties both have over 500 jobs per 1,000 residents. While it is true that some jobs naturally follow population growth, these jobs are often in retail and typically offer lower wages.
