Cochise County was named for the renowned Apache chief in 1881, when it was established during the 11th Territorial Assembly. Archeological finds date civilization along the San Pedro River to 9000-6000 B.C., when members of the Clovis civilization inhabited the area. Tombstone, one of the largest cities in the western United States in 1881, was designated the first county seat. Tombstone’s silver mines flooded in 1887, devastating the community, but the county seat stayed in Tombstone, the "town too tough to die," until 1929 when Bisbee became the county seat. Like Tombstone, Bisbee was a mining town – site of the Copper Queen Mine and famous Lavender Pit, discovered in 1877. Mining continued there through much of the 20th century. Today Bisbee is a popular artist community and tourist destination. Benson, founded in 1880, is on I-10 at the gateway to Kartchner Caverns State Park. Some 30 miles south are the thriving communities of Sierra Vista, by far the largest city in the county, and Huachuca City. Both are economic neighbors of Fort Huachuca, one of the largest civilian employers in southern Arizona. Fort Bowie, Coronado National Memorial and the Chiricahua National Monument are national park facilities. Cochise County also is an important agricultural area. With 6,219 square miles, Cochise is as big as Rhode Island and Connecticut combined. Once known as the Cattle Capital of the nation, Willcox is the home of the largest weekly cattle auction in Arizona. Specialty crops and livestock, including exotic animals, play an important role in the local economy. Douglas, once dependent upon mining and agriculture, has developed a manufacturing base because of its location on the U.S.-Mexico border. All of Cochise County has been designated as an Enterprise Zone, except the northeast section of the county. Cochise is one of only three counties in Arizona without an Indian reservation. Individual and corporate ownership account for 40 percent of the land; the state of Arizona, 35 percent; the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, 22 percent; and other public lands comprise the remaining 4 percent. Profile: Cochise County, Arizona 1700 West Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007 (602) 771-1100 www.azcommerce.com County Seat: Bisbee 2001 Population: 121,040 2001 Labor Force: 42,149 Unemployment Rate: 5.2% Major Industries: Services, Retail Trade, Construction Best Paying Industries: Transportation; Services; Finance, Insurance & Real Estate Sources: Population Estimates, Population Statistics Unit, Research Administration and 2003 Preliminary Special Unemployment Report, Arizona Department of Economic Security. 1990 2000 2003 Arizona 3,665,228 5,130,632 5,629,870 Cochise County 97,624 117,755 124,040 Major Cities Benson 3,824 4,711 4,745 Bisbee 6,288 6,090 6,140 Douglas 12,822 14,312 16,710 Huachuca City 1,782 1,751 1,800 Sierra Vista 32,983 37,775 40,415 Tombstone 1,220 1,504 1,535 Willcox 3,122 3,733 3,815 Source: U.S. Census Bureau and Arizona Department of Economic Security, Population Statistics Unit Age Distribution % of total 0-14 21.7% 15-24 13.9% 25-44 26.0% 45-64 23.7% 65+ 14.7% Population Composition Race % of total White 76.7% African American 4.5% Native American 1.1% Asian or Pacific Islander 1.6% Other 15.8% Totals 100% Hispanic Heritage* 30.7% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, April 1, 2000 Census * Persons of Hispanic heritage may be of any race 2003 Civilian Labor Force Labor Force Unemployment Rate Arizona 2,690,294 5.6% Cochise County 45.965 5.2% Major Cities Benson 1,635 6.1% Bisbee 3,279 5.2% Douglas 5,262 10.7% Huachuca City 776 7.2% Sierra Vista 16,343 4.0% Tombstone 598 4.5% Willcox 1,619 3.2% Source: Arizona Department of Economic Security, 2003 Special Unemployment Report. 2003 Employment by Sector Construction 2,225 Education & Health Services 3,575 Financial Activities 875 Government 11,400 Information 475 Leisure & Hospitality 3,625 Manufacturing 925 Professional & Business Services 3,450 Trade, Transportation & Utilities 6,125 Source: Arizona Economic Security Figures are organized under the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS). 2003 Total All Occupations* Employment 34,800 Hourly Compensation Median Wage $11.85 Average Wage $14.86 Entry Wage $ 6.28 Experienced $18.44 Cochise County At-A-Glance Incorporated Cities Population Labor Force 2003 Employment by Occupation - Average Wages* Employment Avg. Wages Office & Administrative Support 6,450 $12.18 Education, Training & Library 2,750 $13.90 Sales & Related 3,100 $10.37 Protective Service 2,060 $18.15 Food Preparation & Serving Related 2,560 $7.05 Construction & Extraction 1,940 $13.67 Management 1,760 $30.47 Transportation & Material Moving 1,740 $9.83 Source: Prepared by the Ariz. Dept. of Economic Security, Research Administration in cooper- ation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, April, 2004 Major Employers Employer Employment Type 1. U.S. Army Fort Huachuca Government 2. Sierra Vista Unified School District Education 3. Cochise County, Bisbee Government 4. U.S. Border Patrol Government 5. Cochise College - Douglas/Sierra Vista Colleges/Universities 6. Aegis, Sierra Vista Customer Support Center 7. Sierra Vista Regional Health Center Health Services 8. Arizona State Prison, Douglas Government 9. Douglas Unified School District Education 10. Wal-Mart - Douglas/Sierra Vista Trade 11. City of Sierra Vista Government 12. Safeway Stores, Inc. Trade 13. New Tech, Ft. Huachuca Aerospace 14. Sierra Southwest, Benson Utility 15. Northrup Grumman, Sierra Vista Aerospace 16. City of Douglas Government 17. Willcox Unified School District Education 18. Palominas Public Schools Education 19. ILEX, Sierra Vista Defense Contractors 20. Cochise Private Industrial Council, Sierra Vista Non-Profit/Workforce Dev Source: Cochise College Center for Economic Research, 2002 Electric Service Major Suppliers: APS (Bisbee/Douglas/Tombstone) (800) 253-9405 Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Co-op. (Benson) (520) 586-2238 Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Co-op. (Huachuca City/Sierra Vista) (520) 458-4691 Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Co-op. (Willcox) (520) 458-4691 Natural Gas Service Major Suppliers: Southwest Gas Corp. (Bisbee/Douglas/ Huachuca City/Sierra Vista/Tombstone/Willcox) (800) 766-9722 Water and Sewer For information, see specific community profile and contact the com- munity or the local chamber of commerce directly. Telephone Major Suppliers: Qwest Communications (800) 244-1111 Valley Telephone Cooperative, Inc. (Willcox) (520) 384-2231 Major Hospitals: Benson Hospital, Benson (520) 586-2261 Copper Queen Community Hospital, Bisbee (520) 432-5383 Northern Cochise Community Hospital, Willcox (520) 384-3541 Sierra Vista Regional Health Center, Sierra Vista (520) 458-4641 Southeast Arizona Medical Center, Douglas (520) 364-7931 Cochise College, Douglas, Sierra Vista (520) 364-7943 University of Arizona, Sierra Vista, Douglas (520) 458-8278 University of Phoenix, Ft. Huachuca (520) 459-1093 Western International University, Ft. Huachuca (520) 459-5040 Highways Interstate 10, U.S. 191, state Highway 80, state Highway 82, state Highway 90, state Highway 92, state Highway 181, state Highway 186 Bus Lines Autobuses Crucero, Greyhound Bus Lines, Kit Shuttle, Angel Transportation Rail Service AMTRAK (800) 872-7245 Union Pacific Railroad (888) 870-8777 Trucking Service Roadway Express Inc., C.F. Motor Freight, Maddux and Sons Inc., Echo Trucking Co., Dunagan’s Trucking, Harrington Trucking Co., Inc. Utilities Medical Education Transportation Air Service Major Airports Airport Name: Bisbee-Douglas International Airport (520) 364-2771 Functional Class: Business Service Elevation: 4,151' Ownership: Public Use: Public Nav-Aids: T-VOR Runway: 17/35 Length: 7,292' Width: 150' Surface: Asphalt Airport Name: Bisbee Airport (520) 432-6030 Functional Class: Community Service Elevation: 4,780' Ownership: Public Use: Public Nav-Aids: None Runway: 17/35 Length: 5,900' Width: 60' Surface: Asphalt Runway: 02/20 Length: 2,900' Width: 160' Surface: Dirt Airport Name: Cochise College (800) 966-7943 Location: Douglas Functional Class: Community Service Elevation: 4,120' Ownership: Public Use: Public, Education Nav-Aids: None Runway: 05/23 Length: 4,803' Width: 75' Surface: Asphalt Airport Name: Cochise County (520) 384-2908 Location: Willcox Functional Class: Community Service Elevation: 4,181' Ownership: Public Use: Public Nav-Aids: None Runway: 03/21 Length: 6,110' Width: 77' Surface: Asphalt Airport Name: Douglas Municipal (520) 364-3501 Functional Class: Community Service Elevation: 4,181' Ownership: Public Use: Public Nav-Aids: DUG-VOR 125 Radio 10NM Runway: 03/21 Length: 5,760' Width: 60' Surface: Asphalt Runway: 18/36 Length: 4,146' Width: 98' Surface: Dirt Airport Name: Sierra Vista Municipal (520) 459-8575 Location: Sierra Vista Functional Class: Commercial Service Elevation: 4,664' Ownership: Public Use: Public Nav-aids: VOR/NDB Runway: 11/29 Length: 5,365' Width: 100' Surface: Asphalt, concrete Runway: 08/26 Length: 12,000' Width: 150' Surface: Asphalt, concrete Runway: 02/20 Length: 4,300' Width: 75' Surface: Asphalt, concrete Sources: Department of Transportation, Arizona Airports Land Use Compatibility Study, and Cochise County Airport System Plan Benson Several sites with all utilities, railroad and freeway access are avail- able, including an 80-acre industrial park. For more information, con- tact the Benson Economic Development Committee at (520) 586- 2245. Industrial Facilities Distance to Major Cities Bisbee Several properties with all utilities are available, including the Bisbee Airport Industrial Park. There are also several commercial properties suitable for light industry. One industrial park, located in Naco, Sonora, Mexico, opereates on the “twin plant” concept which allows U.S. companies to operate in Mexico. For more information, contact the City of Bisbee at (520) 432-6000. Douglas Three industrial parks (Cochise Industrial Park with 75 acres, Douglas IDA Park with 33 acres and Phelps Dodge Industrial Park with 30 acres) are available. All utilities accessible upon request. Air and truck transportation available. For further information, contact the City of Douglas, Economic Development Office at (520) 805- 4047. Huachuca City Huachuca City has one 46-acre industrial park. Utilities and state Highway 90 are accessible. For more information, contact the Town of Huachuca City at (520) 456-1354. Pearce/Sunsites Pearce/Sunsites has an 800-acre park, with utilities, railroad and highway access. For more information, contact Arizona Electric Co- op., P.O. Box 670, Benson, AZ 85602, or phone (520) 586-3631. Sierra Vista Sierra Vista has two parks (50 acres) with Foreign Trade Zone oppor- tunities and all utilities available. Contact the Sierra Vista Economic Development Foundation at (520) 458-6948. Sierra Vista is a Foreign Trade Zone grantee. Willcox Willcox has one industrial park with utilities. Rail and truck routes are accessible. Contact the Economic Development Division, Willcox Chamber of Commerce, c/o Eddie Browning at (520) 384-2995. Industrial Development Authorities Industrial Development Authority of Cochise County Mr. Robert Fernandez P.O. Box 780 Douglas, AZ 85607 (520) 432-9200/Fax: (520) 364-8335 Industrial Development Authority of the City of Douglas Mr. Martin F. Ryan, Statutory Agent Martin F. Ryan, Ltd. 6262 N. Swan Road, Suite 255 Tucson, AZ 85718-3600 (520) 299-8117/Fax: (520) 299-7860 Note: This information is as current as the date of this publication and was taken from reli- able sources; however, we do not guarantee its completeness nor does the Arizona Department of Commerce endorse any particular individual. This information is provided as a service only. Commercial Banks Arizona Bank National Bank of Arizona Armed Forces Bank Norwest Bank Bank of America Stockman's Bank Bank One Wells Fargo Bank State Corporate Income Tax Corporate income tax rate is 6.968 percent effective for taxable years beginning from and after December 31, 2000. Source: Arizona Department of Revenue Property Tax Community School District City/Fire Countywide Total Benson* 7.34 0.62 5.71 13.67 Bisbee 6.95 2.37 5.71 15.03 Douglas 6.88 1.09 5.71 13.68 Huachucha City* 5.60 1.00 5.71 12.31 Sierra Vista 5.48 0.15 5.71 11.34 Tombstone 5.60 1.19 5.71 12.50 Willcox 4.68 1.06 5.71 11.45 Source: Arizona Tax Research Foundation, 2003 (Rate is per $100 of assessed value) * School district participates in Cochise Technical District (CTD). Sales Tax The state imposes a 5.6 percent transaction privilege (sales) tax on most business activities. Cochise County imposes a 1/2 cent general sales tax. Huachuca City and Sierra Vista have a 1.5 percent sales tax. Willcox has a 3 percent sales tax. The cities of Benson, Bisbee, Douglas and Tombstone have a 2.5 percent sales tax. Additional hotel/motel (bed) taxes are as follows: Benson 2 percent; Bisbee 2.5 percent; Tombstone 3 percent; and Sierra Vista 4 percent. Payroll Tax Payroll taxes in Arizona are computed based on federal filing by employ- ers and employees. Generally, withholding for state payroll taxes is between 10 and 37 percent of federal withholding based on employees’ income. Source: Arizona Department of Revenue Financial Authorities Taxes Benson Economic Development Committee, Inc. P.O. Box 2223 (520) 586-2245 Benson, AZ 85602 FAX: (520) 586-3375 www.cityofbenson.com/ Benson-San Pedro Valley Chamber of Commerce Benson Industrial Development Authority P.O. Box 2255 (520) 586-2842 Benson, AZ 85602 FAX: (520) 586-1972 www.bensonchamberaz.com Email: info@bensonchamberaz.com Bisbee Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box Drawer BA (520) 432-3030 Bisbee, AZ 85603 FA:X (520) 432-3308 www.arizonaguide.com/bisbee Email: chamber@bisbeearizona.com Bowie Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 287 (520) 847-2510 Bowie, AZ 85605 FAX: (520) 847-2584 Email: mtviewrv@vtc.net Cochise County Board of Supervisors 1415 W. Melody Lane, Building B (520) 432-9200 Bisbee, AZ 85603 FAX: (520) 432-5016 http:/www.co.cochise.az.us Email: board@co.cochise.az.us Douglas Chamber of Commerce 1125 Pan America Avenue (520) 364-2477 Douglas, AZ 85607 FAX: (520) 364-6304 City of Douglas, Community & Economic Development 425 10th St. (520) 805-4047 Douglas, AZ 85607 FAX: (520) 364-1585 http://www.douglasaz.gov/ Town of Huachuca City 500 N. Gonzales Blvd. Huachuca, AZ 85616 (520) 456-1354 For Further Information Pearce-Sunsites Chamber of Commerce 133 Frontage Rd. P.O. Box 308 Pearce, AZ 85625 (520) 826-3535 Greater Sierra Vista Area Chamber of Commerce 21 E. Wilcox Dr. (520) 458-6940 Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 FAX: (520) 452-0878 www.sierravistachamber.org Email: execdir@c212.com Sierra Vista Economic Development Foundation P.O. Box 2380 311 E. Wilcox (520)458-6948 Sierra Vista, AZ 85636 FAX: (520) 458-7453 www.c2i2.com/~svedf Email: svedf@c2i2.com Tombstone Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 995 (520) 457-9317 Tombstone, AZ 85638 FAX: (520) 457-2458 www.tombstone.org Email: tombstonechamber@theriver.com Willcox Chamber of Commerce 1500 N. Circle I Rd. (520) 384-2272 Willcox, AZ 85643 FAX: (520) 384-0293 www.willcoxchamber.com Email: willcoxchamber@vtc.net County profiles are produced by the Communications Division of the Arizona Department of Commerce. Janet Napolitano Gilbert Jimenez, Director Governor of Arizona Arizona Department of Commerce Reproduction of this publication for commercial use is prohibited by A.R.S. 39-121. Permission to reprint may be granted upon written request to the Arizona Department of Commerce. 9/04