By Scottsdale Pinetop
While many Scottsdalians pride themselves on the vibrancy and energy of Old Town as a key reason for tourism, it’s hard to ignore the emerging presence of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Community and its achievement as a new hub of economic activity.
The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) is home to the Talking Stick Golf Club and Resort, Casino Arizona, Salt River Sand and Rock and countless other economic drivers. Not only known for its casinos and entertainments, the area is also a host to variety of attractions including OdySea Aquarium, Phoenix Rigg’s Stadium, Top Golf, in-door skydiving and Salt River Fields, each of which have drawn tourists from far and near.
But SRPMIC hasn’t just become an economic powerhouse, it’s also a progressive one too. Scottsdale Community College is the only such school on Native American land and it boasts the country’s first master-planned auto park on tribal property.
Scottsdale’s ability to attract more tourists and businesses is reliant on the cohesiveness and collaborations of Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and now SRPMIC. Having an increasingly wide range of options in business, entertainment and attractions is important to Scottsdale’s economy as it moves forward in making improvements of its own.
When one community thrives, more around it thrive. Scottsdale and SRPMIC are increasingly becoming a blend of cultures and attractions. Some fear the notion, looking at the two communities as a zero-sum game. They shouldn’t. Neither community boasts an ocean but it can still be fairly stated that a rising tide can and is raising both sides.