MAG News

It’s called a “Do-Tank.” The Connective, Greater Phoenix’s Smart Region Consortium, launched last year with a goal of building the nation’s largest and most connected smart region. The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) is a founding partner and plays a primary role with data collection and analysis for the first-of-its-kind partnership.

After two years of planning and development, the consortium launched as The Connective last November. Chris Camacho, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, says the consortium will elevate the region’s competitiveness. 

“We want to further enhance the reputation of Greater Phoenix as a preeminent market where companies can test, develop and deploy technology at scale, while providing our residents with a technologically advanced lifestyle opportunity,” said Camacho.

As most of us learned recently due to the COVID-19 outbreak, technology can be used to improve daily life in a wide variety of ways. It can connect residents to health options, help cities provide services in ways that reduce waste, stress and pollution, and even create a more level playing field for disadvantaged and vulnerable populations. 

“Participating in The Connective is a commitment to build on our strengths as an innovative region that collaborates on issues that impact the quality of life and well-being for all residents and businesses,” says Mesa Mayor John Giles, a strong supporter of the initiative. “The better our digital infrastructure, the more attractive we become as a business and employment hub, and that helps us compete in the global economy.”

The Connective partners with Greater Phoenix communities and industry partners to build the nation’s largest smart region by developing and deploying technology solutions rooted in connectivity, mobility, equity and sustainability. Along with MAG, founding partners include Arizona State University, the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, the Institute for Digital Progress, and the Partnership for Economic Innovation. Additional support is provided by APS, Cox Communications, Dell Inc., Maricopa County, Salt River Project and Sprint.