Community

APS invests in its communities in a variety of ways. From economic development and small business support programs to financial, in-kind and volunteer support of education, the arts and charitable organizations.

Focused Future

APS' Focused Future and Focused Future II programs have been recognized nationally for their innovative approaches to economic and community development. The Focused Future program consists of a dynamic process that assists communities in creating a strategic plan and demonstrates to local community leaders how they can creatively partner to address a wide range of economic development issues. Focused Future II updates the original plan, encourages more citizens to participate at a more in-depth level and introduces non-traditional economic development and community quality of life indicators. Since the Focused Future program's inception in 1993, APS has given technical economic development assistance to more than 40 Arizona communities and regions.

B3 (Building Bridges to Business)

Nearly every community wants more jobs for its citizens, and many dedicate substantial resources to attract new businesses. However, studies estimate that as much as 80 percent of new job growth comes not from new businesses, but from businesses that already are established in a community. To help Arizona communities retain successful hometown companies and encourage them to create more jobs, APS sponsors the Building Bridges to Business program, or B3. This Internet-based program provides communities and their economic development organizations with sophisticated survey instruments and customized computer software that help define, analyze and report community-specific company information.

With this information, the communities can help local businesses survive economic difficulties or assist businesses with expansions that add new jobs. They also can identify companies that might be considering relocating to other areas and provide incentives to retain them.

Scholarships and Educational Programs

At APS, we believe supporting education is one of the smartest investments we can make. It provides returns many times over in many ways for many years. A highly skilled workforce, higher incomes in our communities, healthier citizens and more cultural attractions are just a few of the benefits from improved education. APS invests in our communities by providing funding and in-kind support for a range of effective and innovative education and scholarship programs including:

• APS Power Players
• APS Energy Patrol
• APS/Phoenix Suns Education Mini-Grants
• APS Power Posse
• Project Sol
• "Polly" Rosenbaum Writing contest
• The Rodel Foundation MAC-Ro math initiative
• The Arizona Department of Education Character Education Initiative
• The Sally Ride Science Festival
• APS Scholars Program
• The StRUT (Students Recycling Used Technology) program
• The Arizona Educational Foundation (sponsors of the Spelling Bee, A+ Schools and the Teacher of the Year programs)

Plus more than 200 APS Foundation Education Grants in the areas of health and human services, community development, education, arts and culture and the environment.